Will these MMA students create the next hot company?

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Apr 14

Public invited to attend—and vote—as students compete for the chance to turn classroom ideas into real companies on April 27

***The public is invited to attend—and vote on—a business pitch competition at Maine Maritime Academy on Monday, April 27. File photo.***

April 14, 2026

By staff

CASTINE–In less than two weeks, students from Maine Maritime Academy have the opportunity to turn business ideas developed in class into actual companies—and walk away with seed money totaling $4,000 for the best ideas.

The Rising Tide, in partnership with Maine Maritime Academy’s Loeb-Sullivan School of International Business and Logistics, will host the “Rising Tide Award” competition at MMA on Monday, April 27 at 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend the event, featuring free food, a cash bar, and innovative ideas from the next generation of entrepreneurs.

The competition will feature students from MMA’s Small Business Management course who have developed their own small business plans throughout the semester. Teams will compete for cash prizes totaling $4,000—including $3,000 for the grand prize and two $500 “People’s Choice” awards decided by the audience.

Six pre-selected student teams will present their original business idea to the panel of judges, with ideas ranging from consumer products to service apps to marine-related start-ups, and others.

The “Shark-Tank”-style panel of judges includes local community and business leaders from across the Blue Hill Peninsula. They are:

Oscar Adams – Deloitte Consulting
Steve Hindy – Founder of Brooklyn Brewery
Dan Leader – Founder of Bread Alone and author of seven books about bread
Jamie MacNair – Owner of Compass Point Real Estate Realtor and Northern Bay Market
Mark Morgioni – Amazon
Peyton Penny – VP at Bangor Savings Bank
Matt Powell – Owner and proprietor of the Pentagoet Inn

Community members, business leaders and potential investors are encouraged to attend the evening that will showcase the next generation of innovation and entrepreneurship.

The Rising Tide Award is designed not only as a competition, but as a community event—bringing together students, educators, local residents and the business community to celebrate creativity, ambition and the future of entrepreneurship in Maine. The competition is made possible through the support of Machias Savings Bank, The Rising Tide, Castine Community Partners, and individual donors.

While the event is free and open to the public, RSVPs are requested to estimate audience size.

Event Details:
What: The Rising Tide Award - Student Business Pitch Competition
When: Monday, April 27, 2026 at 6 p.m.
Where: The Alfond Student Center at Maine Maritime Academy on Pleasant Street in Castine
Admission: Free and open to the public. Please RSVP to help estimate audience size.

Publisher’s note: All funds raised for The Rising Tide Award were specifically designated for the competition prize. No funds donated to our newsroom operations have been or will be used as part of the cash prize for this event.