For Immediate Release
September 30, 2014
Blackstone Accelerates Growth to Recognize 2014 “Leaders for Growth” Award Winners at Third Anniversary Luncheon
Brunswick, ME – Blackstone Accelerates Growth (BxG) today announced the recipients of the first annual “Leaders for Growth” Awards. BxG is a partnership between the Maine Technology Institute, the Maine Center for Entrepreneurial Development, and the University of Maine. The goal of BxG is to build intentional communities of innovation and entrepreneurship with a focus on growth and creating a more dynamic economy in Maine.
It has been three years since the Blackstone Charitable Foundation announced its initial investment in Maine. “We are proud to see all that’s been accomplished with our Blackstone Accelerates Growth program over the last 3 years,” said Amy Stursberg, Executive Director of the Blackstone Charitable Foundation. “The Innovation Hubs in Portland, Bangor, and the Midcoast region are bringing together resources to create an interconnected ecosystem of entrepreneurship.”
“The Leaders for Growth Awards are part of our strategy to recognize those companies who support efforts to strengthen the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem,” says Jess Knox, BxG’s Statewide Innovation Hub Manager. ”We’re excited to highlight the efforts of these organizations during Thursday’s 3rd Anniversary Luncheon to kick off the MTI TechWalk in Bangor,” Knox added.
This award recognizes organizations who’ve demonstrated leadership in supporting the growth of innovators, startups, creative entrepreneurs and the ecosystem around them. Whether through their role in mentor programs, as program sponsors, as early adopters of products, or as a collaborator, each of these organizations has demonstrated the importance of Maine’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem with their actions.
Eaton Peabody: For its leadership in supporting the creation of Bangor Angels which is helping to solve one of the most critical components of startups and innovation ecosystems, access to patient capital. Eaton Peabody has been enthusiastically involved in efforts to build the Bangor Innovation Hub. In addition, its involvement in supporting events like Maine Startup and Create Week; the BigGig Pitch contest; and numerous other programs demonstrate its statewide commitment to growing Maine’s economy.
Whole Foods North Atlantic: Through both the local and regional forager program, Whole Foods has been a robust supporter of Maine’s local produced food and products. Its leadership for specialty food entrepreneurs is evident through both the adoption of Maine products for stores throughout New England, but also through the Local Loan Program which has provided much needed capital to companies like BixBy & Co., Little River Flower Farm, Maine Medicinals, Mom’s Organic Munchies, MOOMilk and others.
WEX Inc.: An inspiration to startups in the payment space and one of Maine’s most innovative companies. WEX is recognized specifically for its technological innovation and its commitment to supporting educational programs that will enable graduates to compete and thrive in an information technology economy. Such programs include a formalized internship program at WEX and the establishment of WEX STEM Scholarships at the University of Southern Maine. More recently, WEX has supported every Startup Weekend in Portland and is a founding sponsor of Maine Startup and Create Week.
IDEXX Laboratories: Another of Maine’s most innovative companies, IDEXX has been heavily involved in supporting Maine’s growing startup and innovation community. More than just a sponsor Startup Weekend Portland, CEO Jon Ayers has served as a judge and IDEXX continually sends large groups of their employees to the event as part of their innovation training. Similarly to WEX, IDEXX was a founding sponsor of Maine Startup and Create Week and has been host to legions of interns, training the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs across the State.
About Blackstone Accelerates Growth
Launched by the Blackstone Charitable Foundation, Blackstone Accelerates Growth builds an intentional community and culture of innovation and entrepreneurship throughout Maine. The collaborative partnership catalyzes growth of innovative businesses by connecting companies and entrepreneurs with the resources they need. For more information, visit http://blackstonegrowth.com/