Deadline: 11 February 2024
In partnership with Hands On Hartford, reSET’s Food Incubator program supports entrepreneurs with a passion for food! Whether you’re starting to think about selling goodies out of your home kitchen or looking to grow your newly launched business, reSET wants to connect food entrepreneurs with the experts and resources necessary to validate your business concept.
The 2024 Food Incubator Program, an 8-week program is designed to support food businesses from the beginning by providing access to technical assistance and business development resources from within the food industry. If you’re inspired to create a packaged food product, or launching a food service, reSET wants to help develop your business concept from the start of your entrepreneurial journey! The Food Incubator teaches you how to test your ideas with the support of competent mentors, peers, and the community invested in seeing you grow – Your Future Customers!!!
Completion of the program and business registration enables participants to apply for up to $700 in grant funds to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses.
The Food Accelerator Program offers resources to:
- Create a business plan & elevator pitch
- Explore available resources for newer food businesses
- Develop a brand story
- Learn strategic marketing & branding
- Price your products
- Identify marketing opportunities.
- Navigate licensing and certification specific to food businesses
In addition, reSET will support the food entrepreneurs in connecting with experienced mentors, potential investors, and access to resources, such as seed funding, shared kitchen and retail space.
Who is it for?
- New and early-stage entrepreneurs
- Businesses earning $0-$50,000 a year
- Entrepreneurs looking for “validation of concept” (How well will it sell?)
- People who currently sell food services and packaged goods from their home kitchen.
- Individuals needing clarity on how to legally structure and protect their business.
- Entrepreneurs interested in expanding from personal networks into markets and online commerce
- This program has no educational or income requirements. The demographic and income related questions within the application are for grant tracking purposes. Your personal information will be kept confidential.
- reSET prioritizes businesses that:
- Are led by people from historically excluded communities including Women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, Veteran, and formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs.
- Are based in Connecticut – Greater Hartford businesses get priority consideration
- Are committed to growing a community-aligned business (Businesses looking to offer fair wages, create career opportunities, reducing waste, and/or amplifying cultural representation)
- Are coachable and driven to complete the process of launching, formalizing and/or growing a food business.
For more information, visit reSET.
