ROCKPORT — The competition is sure to be intense as Midcoast entrepreneurs prepare their best "pitch" for the Top Gun Entrepreneurship Acceleration Semi-Finals at Union Hall in Rockport on May 18th. The event caps off the inaugural session of the Midcoast chapter of the prestigious Top Gun program, after which the local entrepreneurs will go on to launch or significantly grow their businesses.

The lively evening of all things business begins at 5 p.m. After a brief networking reception, the pitching session will commence with each entrepreneur having exactly five minutes to show the judges that his/her idea is innovative, feasible and viable with clear growth potential. At least two entrepreneurs will be selected to go on to the final round to be held May 24 in Portland, where they will compete for a $10,000 cash prize made possible by the Maine Technology Institute.

Statewide, competing for the cash and in-kind prize package will be 28 entrepreneurs who have fulfilled the Top Gun requirements, a prestigious five-month program that accelerates the development of Maine's most promising early stage, scalable, innovation-based businesses through a combination of curriculum, mentoring and community.

And the money doesn't stop there.

"Top Gun graduates have gone on to win other competitions, such as MassChallenge and the CleanTech Open, as well as receive funding from MTI, Maine Angels, Maine Venture Fund and other outside investors," said Top Gun Program Manager Susan Ruhlin.

The Top Gun Entrepreneurship Acceleration Semi-Finals at Union Hall is sponsored by Bay Chamber Concerts, Midcoast Magnet, JVA Marketing, VStv, Naretiv, and Café Miranda, which will be providing light food for the event. Additional support for the Midcoast chapter of the Top Gun Entrepreneurship Acceleration program has been provided by Camden National Bank, University of Maine, MTI and Maine Accelerates Growth. Other corporate sponsors, local businesses, partner organizations, program advisers and mentors also contribute to the success of the program.

Since the pitches will be recorded, organizers request that you arrive at least 15 minutes before "pitch time," or 5:30 p.m.

For more information, visit TopGunMaine.biz.