PROGRAMS

Food Incubator

Applications are Open! Apply by 11:59pm, February 11, 2024

FOOD INCUBATOR

About the Program

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, We want to connect food entrepreneurs with the experts and resources necessary to validate your business concept.


The 2024 Food Incubator 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!!! 


Thanks to the generous funding from the City of Hartford, and the CT Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), this program is FREE, making it accessible for startups of all levels. Completion of the program and business registration enables participants to apply for up to $700 in grant funds to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses.


2024 Food Incubator Schedule:

January 8th- Application is LIVE!


Get to know the program:

  • Virtual Info Session #1 January 22nd – Zoom - Learn about the program, Q&A, register here
  • Eat Up Meet Up: Starting up your Startup. January 29th - Location TBD in Hartford
  • Virtual Info Session #2 - February 5th – Meet the Facilitator - @resetco IG Live *


11:59pm Sunday February 11th -- Application Closes (Please allow 2-3 weeks for response)


Weekly program sessions are held Mondays, 5:30-7:30pm from March 11th to April 29th -

  • Weekly classes will be a mix of online and in person dates. Participants must be able to attend in person classes in our Hartford office on occasion. 


Program Graduation & Final Celebration - Focus @reSET! – Wednesday, May 1st* - Location TBD

  • There is no COMM_NITY without U! Sign up for our email newsletter and/or follow us on IG @resetco to join us in celebrating the conclusion of reSET’s Food Incubator Program! 

*Dates subject to change

Food Incubator

The 2024 Food Incubator is an 8-week program designed to facilitate the development of your business concept from a good idea into an impactful and profitable business!

 

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 our 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


How much does it cost?

Nothing! Thanks to our generous funders we are able to offer the Food Incubator to accepted applicants for free.




Food Business Workshops

reSET hosts several virtual workshops throughout the year. Open to the public, our bi-monthly meet-ups are a great springboard for aspiring food entrepreneurs looking to get started or to network with more established entrepreneurs in the food sector. 


You can find out about our upcoming workshops by signing up for reSET’s newsletter or following @resetco on social media.


Interested in a workshop for your food business, but not seeing what you want? 

Contact our Food Program Manager, Katrice Claudio, via email at Kclaudio@resetco.org. We’ll happily connect you to the resources you are looking for!

Get Started Today

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