Catch+Create Accelerator Program to support Early-Stage Startups and Small Businesses (US)

They’re thrilled to support their first cohort of 5 early-stage startups and small businesses in transforming their West Coast Groundfish product ideas into market-ready solutions. Whether you’re working on canned seafood, seafood snacks, prepared meal solutions, frozen products, pet food, or even novel ways to utilize groundfish byproducts, they’re ready to help you launch your product.

Their 6-months program is focused on product development, supply chains and operations, and retail readiness. Experts and mentors will guide you through every step – from idea to market launch. But they won’t stop there – after you’ve completed the accelerator program, they’ll boost your product launch with a comprehensive marketing package to help your products stick the landing. Their program is delivered remotely, offering you the flexibility to build your business from wherever makes the most sense for you.

Program Benefits

• Product Development Stipends
  • Each Start-up will receive up to $20,000 to help fund product development costs such as brand design, packaging development, recipe commercialization, nutrient testing, web design and so forth. This stipend may not be used to pay salaries to start-up team members.
• Idea-To-Market Course Learning
  • Their program entails a 6-month long course, with 2-hour class sessions held once every 2 weeks, where subject matter experts will take you through all major steps and considerations of the product development process from idea to market launch. You will work on your start-up concurrently with this curriculum. The accelerator program will be delivered online so you can build your business wherever works best for you and your business. However, they will have 3 in-person gatherings – at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the program. At the final pitch event you have the opportunity to introduce your product to people in the seafood and CPG industry, journalists, buyers, and investors.
• Mentorship & Subject Matter Experts
  • You will have regular 1:1 sessions with your business development mentor, all of whom have years of experience in building and marketing products. Your mentor will help you navigate the challenges you will come up against, and connect you to the right resources and subject matter experts (e.g. food scientist, accountant, IP lawyer etc.) if and when necessary.
• Market Data and Consumer Insights
  • Having good data leads you to make better decisions, and helps you develop a much more convincing pitch for buyers or funders. They will help you test your ideas with large panels of consumers in your target group – this will help you reiterate, improve and hone your offer. Moreover, they will give you access to their entire bank of market intelligence which is extremely valuable but expensive and typically out of reach for most startups.
• Networking with Industry Insiders
  • Knowing who to speak to is half the battle. They are a very well-connected collaborative of stakeholders and experts from many different fields. You will hear from a broad array of expert speakers, meet representatives from different parts of the supply chain, and connect with industry players from along the entire West Coast. They give you the benefit of their collective experience and network and fast-track you into becoming a part of this industry.
• Peer-to-Peer Learning & Community
  • The value of connecting with and working alongside other start-up teams who are on a similar journey is not to be underestimated. Sharing experiences, learning from eachother’s successes or mistakes, and building a supportive community, is great fuel for their entrepreneurial journeys.

Launch Support

• $30k Launch Marketing Support
• Photo + Video Asset Suite
• Exhibit at 2x Trade Shows
• Social Media Advertising Budget
• 6 months of PR Expert Support
• 2 years of PG Membership

Eligibility Criteria

• Must use a West Coast Groundfish species in a value-added product in a minimum of 50% of products in your planned range
• Available for program time commitments
• Committed to sustainable practices
• Based in the US
• Solo founders or teams

For more information, visit Positively Groundfish.