Greenlight Maine Celebrates 10 Years of Empowering Entrepreneurs

January 27, 2025 

PORTLAND, Maine – Greenlight Maine Productions, a leading force in fostering innovation and entrepreneurial spirit in Maine, is proud to celebrate its 10th anniversary this year. Over the past decade, Greenlight Maine has become a cornerstone for Maine’s business community, awarding more than $1,000,000 to support the growth and success of entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state, through its competitive business pitch television series.

A Decade of Making a Difference

Greenlight Maine’s flagship program, the Greenlight Maine Original Series, has become a highly anticipated event, led by Executive Co-Producers Nat Thompson and Julene Gervais. Each season, the show provides a platform for emerging entrepreneurs to showcase their innovative ideas and compete for valuable funding.

“We are incredibly honored to celebrate this monumental 10th anniversary,” says Nat Thompson, Executive Producer at Greenlight Maine Productions. “Over $75 million has been invested in former contestants’ companies after appearing on the show and we provide unparalleled exposure, connecting entrepreneurs with investors, venture capitalists, and new customers.”

“Our work is all about empowering Maine’s entrepreneurs and fostering a diverse and thriving business ecosystem,” adds executive producer and show host, Julene Gervais. “Additionally, through our Elevating Voices series, we’re proud to champion diversity in Maine’s business landscape. The impact we’ve made, in collaboration with our partners and sponsors, is truly rewarding. We look forward to propelling growth and innovation in Maine for years to come.”

Be a Part of Greenlight Maine Season 10

Greenlight Maine Productions is currently seeking applicants for its upcoming season. The organization encourages entrepreneurs with scalable business ideas and the potential to become regional brands to apply to be part of the show by January 31st.

The Greenlight Maine Original Series and the Greenlight Maine College Edition show will begin airing in April of 2025 on WGME in Portland, WABI in Bangor and on WWPI in Presque Isle. Rebroadcasts of both series will happen in the fall of 2025 on Maine Public. Stay tuned and follow us on social media for more show schedule details.

Greenlight Maine Season 9 College Edition Launches This April

April 2, 2024

PORTLAND, Maine – Greenlight Maine, Maine’s leading platform for empowering entrepreneurs, is thrilled to announce the contestants for Greenlight Maine Season 9 College Edition! These bright minds will showcase their innovative businesses and compete for a chance to win cash prizes for their businesses: 

• • Acent: Carter Friese
• • Alpha Dupois: David Ma and Aditya Singh Pall-Pareek
• • Cadence AI: Sardor Nodirov
• • Good Balnce: Jack Richard
• • Keep it Clean: Cole Ellis
• • P3- Pitch Perfect Pegs: Jacob Choi
• • Pachyceph: Jacob Ju
• • Quantum Solutions: Andry Sermeño
• • Safety First: Kylie Coxon
• • Scholar Sheets: Miz Insigne, Peggy Jones

The television series kicks off on April 6 and will air on several television markets throughout the state: WGME CBS 13 – Portland, WABI TV5 CBS – Bangor, WWPI-LD NBC – Presque Isle and Maine Public – Statewide. 

Judges for the series include Martha Johnston, Director of Education, Finance Authority of Maine; Jamey Doughty, SVP and Chief Innovation Officer, Bangor Savings Bank; and Kaylin Kerina, Career Exploration Program Manager, Maine Department of Economic and Community Development.

Greenlight Maine College Edition highlights innovative college students who have a business idea in any stage of development, from a simple idea to a well-constructed business plan. The 10 contestants square off in a televised pitch-off to determine the three finalists. Those three finalists then pitch off against one another in the Greenlight Maine Collegiate Finale to compete for a cash prize. The cash prizes include: first place – $10,000, second place – $7,500, and third place – $5,000.

Greenlight Maine and Elevating Voices Sparks Attention by Broadcasting on Four Major Networks in Maine

January 11, 2024

PORTLAND, Maine – Greenlight Maine, the premier platform for elevating and supporting the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, announced that Season 9 of the 4-time Emmy nominated television series will be broadcasted on several television markets throughout the state:

• -WGME CBS 13 – Portland
• -WABI TV5 CBS – Bangor 
• -WWPI-LD NBC – Presque Isle
• -Maine Public – Statewide

The show’s Executive Producers, Julene Gervais and Nat Thompson, made the move to improve the reach of the program for economic growth throughout the region.

Thompson says, “We are thrilled with this new distribution model. In the first few seasons, we had no idea what to expect and thought we may run out of companies to feature. In fact, the opposite has happened. This program has drawn more attention, excitement and most importantly, more startups each season.”  

Julene Gervais, a former journalist who moved to Maine as an Anchor/reporter at WAGM TV, (the sister station of WWPI) went on to work in all 3 television markets in Maine including News Center Maine and WGME CBS 13 recalls, “I remember well, reporting on both the rise and fall of businesses, which ignited a fire within me to support entrepreneurs and help build Maine’s economy.”

GREENLIGHT MAINE INVITES ENTREPRENEURS TO COMPETE FOR $62,500 IN ANNUAL PITCH CONTEST

Greenlight Maine has an open call for contestants to participate in its renowned pitch contest. Entrepreneurs are welcomed to vie for the chance to win thousands in cash prizes this season.

Greenlight Maine is awarding cash prizes totaling $62,500 in the upcoming season. Contestants can present their innovative business ideas as part of the Greenlight Maine and Greenlight Maine College Edition television series, in front of a live panel of judges.

Prospective participants are urged to submit their initial video pitch before the deadline of January 26, 2024. The Greenlight Maine and Greenlight Maine College Edition pitch contests provide a unique platform for Maine’s brightest and boldest business minds to showcase their ventures and gain invaluable exposure.

Gervais guides participants through the thrilling process, while Nat Thompson, the show’s executive producer, oversees the production of a series that promises to be as inspiring as it is competitive.

“Greenlight Maine continues to be a beacon for Maine’s most innovative entrepreneurs,” says Gervais. “We’re searching for individuals who are ready to illuminate their businesses on the big stage and drive economic growth in our state.”

Those interested in participating in Greenlight Maine, the original series, are encouraged to visit our Become a Contestant webpage to submit an application.

Those interested in participating in the Greenlight Maine College Edition series can visit the Thomas College site to learn more and apply.