Apply for Retail Readiness Entrepreneurship Training Program (US)

Founders receive essential training, a curated list of retail readiness certifications and the financial stipend to pursue those certifications, mentorship, and access to a robust network and community. The program also offers long-term, sustainable alumni support to help entrepreneurs become retail-ready, scale their ventures, create jobs, and positively impact their communities.

With the unwavering support of the Watson Institute team, you will receive a comprehensive roadmap to guide the growth and scalability of your agriculture focused work. Additionally, you will facilitate an impactful workshop (known as a Basecamp) in your community for your stakeholders, backed by a stipend, playbook, and team support to bring your vision to life.

Benefits

• Retail Readiness Certifications & Leadership Training
  • Founders will receive access to retail readiness certifications and engage in weekly expert-led sessions covering:
    • Foundations & Retail Strategy
    • Product Development & Branding
    • Financial Management & Access to Capital
    • Marketing & Sales Strategies
    • Operations & Scaling
    • Pitch Development & Delivery
• Community & Network Building
  • A diverse cohort of entrepreneurs, small business owners, and nonprofit founders will form partnerships, collaborations, and further their growth and impact during and after the program. Community building activities include:
    • Engagement with Watson Institute Alumni
    • Basecamp training and events
• Mentorship & Collaboration
  • Renowned leaders, entrepreneurs, and practitioners join the program to share their entrepreneurial journey and experience, as well as mentor the Founders. Participants are provided with multiple mentorship opportunities that include:
    • Preceptor Advisory Board
    • Impact Speaker Series
    • Mentor Bonanza
• Pitch Training & Summit
  • Throughout the program, Founders will refine their pitch through guided sessions focused on crafting their story, showcasing impact, and effectively communicating their vision. The Summit is the culminating event where Founders pitch and present their ventures to local leaders, funders, and entrepreneurs. It’s a platform to catalyze change, forge partnerships, and unlock new opportunities for growth and impact.

Funding Information

• Retail Readiness Certification Stipend: Each Founder will have the opportunity to receive up to $1,000 to support their pursuit of external retail readiness certifications. This stipend helps cover certification fees and related expenses, supporting Founders in advancing their retail skills and career opportunities.

Eligibility Criteria

• Who You Are:
  • You are an impact-driven entrepreneur, working directly in farming or creating value-added products based on agricultural inputs. Some examples of value-added products in agriculture include: ready-to-eat products, organic and specialty products, artisanal and craft products, natural fibers and textiles, cosmetics and personal care products, biofuels, bioproducts and more. This program supports historically underserved entrepreneurs who are making lasting impact in their communities.
• Venture Stage:
  • You are an impact-driven entrepreneur with proven products, traction, and revenue, but not yet ready to scale. This program targets those in the ‘missing middle’ stage, between prototyping and scaling, who need support to achieve retail readiness. Ideal candidates have demonstrated impact in their communities and are in the Problem-Solution Fit or Product-Market Fit stages, with engaged customers and measurable impact and revenue.
• Commitment:
  • You are able to commit to the 16-week program including a 2-week virtual immersive. They prioritize individuals who are fully committed to actively participating in the entire program. At the heart of the program is a strong sense of community, and its success hinges on the active engagement and enthusiasm of all participants, who are eager to both learn and share.
• Where You Create Impact:
  • The training program is open to U.S.-based entrepreneurs from cities with the highest documented levels of wealth inequality, as measured by the GINI Index. The geographic scope for the program includes places like Chicago, Dallas, Houston, and Los Angeles, among many others.
• What You Are Looking For:
  • You seek expert-guided training, a community of entrepreneurs for feedback, and a broad mentorship network to enhance your leadership and venture impact.
• Demographics:
  • Adults 18 or Older.

Dates & Details

• Dates: March 10th to June 30th, 2025 (16 weeks of programming).
• Format: Weekly virtual workshops with localized gatherings and events when possible (8-10 hours per week time commitment). Sessions are held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Mountain Time Zone (GMT-6).
• Immersive & Orientation: 2-week virtual Immersive starting March 10th, 2025 (20–25 hours per week time commitment).

For more information, visit Watson Institute.