Blackstone Accelerates Growth Welcomes Three More Maine Firms Into the Accelerated Ventures Program

For Immediate Release

December 10, 2014

Contact:     Martha Bentley, Operations Manager

Blackstone Accelerates Growth

207-312-8605

[email protected]

The rural and coastal businesses representing the healthcare, food and marine industries earn eligibility for subsidized assistance and increased visibility

Brunswick, Maine – Blackstone Accelerates Growth (BxG) today announced the three newest businesses selected for the BxG Accelerated Ventures program: Mingle Analytics, Sea & Reef Aquaculture, and Bixby & Co. The three businesses join 16 other Maine companies to benefit from the wide range of BxG Accelerated Ventures initiatives, which accelerate the growth of entrepreneurs and start-up businesses in Maine.

Maine businesses accepted into the BxG Accelerated Ventures program receive resources specifically matched to their needs and the stage of their business. Earning the designation of an Accelerated Ventures business generates two primary benefits: subsidized assistance to overcome growth barriers and increased visibility to attract talent and capital.

“We are delighted to tap into the resources, skills, and experience of BxG to help us grow effectively and meet the massive demand for healthcare reform while also remaining in our rural Maine community,” says Dan Mingle, CEO of Mingle Analytics, which is based in Paris and helps healthcare practices and systems improve efficiencies, productivity and revenues. “The Accelerated Ventures program will help us pursue our vision and passion for providing healthcare informatics to a national market. It takes a community to build a great company, and BxG is sure to help us access help from Maine’s technical and entrepreneurial communities.” 

Sea & Reef Aquaculture, located in Franklin, specializes in culturing high-quality marine ornamental fish for aquariums. Soren Hansen, CEO and Founder commented on the Accelerated Ventures program by saying, “BxG can help us find funding and networking opportunities to guide us through our growth phase. Our revenues have increased every year, but we are now at a turning point where our challenges include achieving marketing and sales objectives as well as managing our significant growth. BxG will provide great resources for these initiatives so we can grow a profitable business while continuing to create jobs in Maine.”

Kate McAleer, Owner and Founder of the artisan chocolate bar company, Bixby & Co. in Rockland, says, “Accelerated Ventures is a great extension of other programs we tapped into previously such as Top Gun (offered by the Maine Center for Entrepreneurial Development, a BxG partner) and R&D funding we received from the Maine Technology Institute (also a BxG partner). BxG can now help us grow through mentoring and funding resources. Given the amazing network of help for start-up businesses in Maine, we see BxG as a great way to tap into that network so we can break down the barriers for growing our business.” 

Martha Bentley, Operations Manager for Blackstone Accelerates Growth, adds, “All three of these companies and their owners represent the entrepreneurial spirit that prevails throughout Maine and across all industries. It’s out mission to connect business owners such as Dan, Soren and Kate with the resources they need to thrive in their respective markets.”

About Blackstone Accelerates Growth

Launched by the Blackstone Charitable Foundation, Blackstone Accelerate 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 www.blackstonegrowth.com.

About Bixby & Co.

An artisan chocolate bar company, Bixby & Co. invented the Bixby Bar, featuring real food ingredients, naturally-sweet dried fruits, natural artisanal nuts, and exotic spices. The company produces six unique Bixby Bar flavors (including three vegan-verified options) certified as gluten-free and kosher with premium organic chocolate completely free of genetically-modified organisms, preservatives and syrups. For more information, visit www.bixbyco.com.

About Sea & Reef Aquaculture

Founded in 2003 and located on the coast of Maine, Sea & Reef Aquaculture was started to protect and reduce fishing pressure on the world’s coral reefs by providing marine aquarium hobbyists with 100% captive-bred fish. The company specializes in culturing high-quality marine ornamental fish, and through careful research, its team of marine biologists nurtures saltwater fish for optimum health and vivid color. For more information, visit www.seaandreef.com.

About Mingle Analytics

Mingle Analytics helps healthcare practices and systems improve healthcare delivery while also driving greater efficiencies, productivity and revenue by integrating tools, technologies, processes and procedures. The company helps healthcare practices achieve profitability while enabling physicians and patients to feel satisfied with the healthcare delivery process. Strategic consulting methodology developed by Mingle Analytics steers practices through changes with tools that simplify, standardize and integrate all practice operations. For more information, visit www.mingleanalytics.com.