- Food Incubator program accepting applications from entrepreneurs looking to start or scale a food business through March 14
- This year’s program focuses on adapting business plans and strategies to COVID-19
- Program prioritizes Hartford area residents and businesses
Summary by Dirk Langeveld
Entrepreneurs who are planning to start or scale up a food business are invited to apply for a program providing educational resources as well as connections to mentors and potential investors. With the food service industry continuing to grapple with the challenging conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s program incorporates adaptability as a key theme.
The Food Incubator will accept applications until midnight on March 14. The program is a collaboration of Hands on Hartford and reSET, and is supported by Launch Hartford and the Hartford Culinary Collective.
An information session on the program will be held on March 10, and interviews and the final selection of participants will take place March 10-17. Selected entrepreneurs will be notified on March 17.
The Food Incubator consists of 12 sessions held from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Wednesday from March 31 to June 16. The program covers topics such as developing an elevator pitch and business plan, learning about resources available to food entrepreneurs, marketing and branding, developing online presence, pricing, licensing and certification, accessing the market, and technical assistance on food regulation.
The program is directed at individual entrepreneurs as well as micro-enterprises of five or fewer people. Priority is given to Hartford residents or businesses, those serving the Hartford area, and businesses owned by women or people of color.
Selected applicants may attend the Food Incubator for free. Additional financial resources are available from Hands on Hartford to assist low- and moderate-income residents and micro-enterprises with offsetting certain costs associated with growing a business.
reSET also holds regular virtual food business workshops, giving aspiring food entrepreneurs an opportunity to receive free information and network with others in the food industry.
