Gorham Savings Bank is pleased to announce Flowfold as its third annual LaunchPad Competition winner. LaunchPad was created to help fund the growth of a Maine business. It not only celebrates great business ideas, it also provides the resources to help bring these ideas to life. Flowfold was named this year’s winner after a live, high-energy competition on June 18th.

The 2015 LaunchPad competition began with nearly 100 entrepreneurs across the state submitting their business ideas. After an intense preliminary judging that narrowed the group to 10 semifinalists, a public online voting period determined these five finalist entrepreneurs – Beach Glass Transitions, Casco Bay Butter, Flowfold, Saco River Dyehouse and St. Germain Collins. They were tasked with articulating their relevant business plan in front of a live audience and key business leaders. The judges were Michelle Neujahr, Entrepreneurial Center Director, SMCC, Melissa Smith, President & CEO, WEX, and Chris Claudio, CEO, Winxnet and the event emcee was Don Gooding, Executive Director of the Maine Center for Entrepreneurial Development.

Flowfold, based on Peaks Island, designs, produces and sells wallets, totes, and other everyday carry gear that are made in Maine from some of world’s strongest material. Their mission is to build quality products, deliver a quality experience and support the local workforce.

“This Launchpad grant has provided the resources to purchase necessary equipment to scale production and delivery to national retail accounts, bringing a piece of Maine to homes across the country, and we are so excited and honored.” said Devin McNeil, Flowfold.

“Over the past three years, more than 450 entrepreneurs from over 100 cities and towns across Maine have applied to LaunchPad. The excitement surrounding the competition only substantiates the strength of the entrepreneurial spirit in Maine.” said Chris Emmons, President & CEO of Gorham Savings Bank. “Because of companies like Flowfold, who has grown their product well beyond Peaks Island, Maine, the Launchpad competition underscores the importance of hard work and innovation in our Maine community.”