PROGRAMS

Food Incubator

Apply by January 3rd, 11:59 PM EST!

FOOD INCUBATOR

About the Program

In partnership with Hands On Hartford, reSET’s Food Incubator program supports entrepreneurs with a passion for food! If you’re looking to launch a business out of your home kitchen or seeking support with structuring your business for commercial production, let reSET connect YOU with the experts and resources necessary to strengthen your business concept!


The 2025 Food Incubator Program is designed to help early stage entrepreneurs identify and launch their minimum viable product (MVP). If you’re inspired to create a consumable packaged good (CPG), mobile beverage or food service, reSET wants to help develop your business concept with you! The reSET Food Incubator lets you test your ideas with the support of competent coaches, peers, and our incredible network of community partners–all invested in seeing you grow!

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.

2025 Food Incubator Schedule:

November 15th- Application is LIVE! Apply by January 3rd!


Get to know the program:

  • Virtual Info Session #1 What is the Food Incubator?
    Monday, November 25th 5:30-7:00 PM
    Location: Zoom
    Register Here
  • Virtual Info Session #2 Meet the Facilitator
    Wednesday, December 18th 5:30-7:00 PM
    Location: Zoom
    Register Here
  • Eat Up Meet Up: Starting up your Startup
    Tuesday, January 7th, 2025 5:30 - 7:00 PM
    Location: Swift Factory
    10 Love Lane, Hartford, CT 
    Registration Coming Soon


Friday, January 3rd - Application Closes (Please allow 4-6 weeks for response)


Weekly program sessions are held Mondays, 5:30-7:30pm starting February 10th to April 7th* -

  • 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. 


Save the Date - Program Graduation & Final Celebration - Focus @ reSET! – Monday April 7th* - Location TBD

*Dates subject to change

Food Incubator

The 2025 Food Incubator is an 10-week program designed to facilitate the development of your business concept from a good idea into an impactful and profitable business! 

 

The Food Incubator Program offers resources to:

  • Learn the fundamentals of business planning
  • Create a minimum viable product
  • Gain insight on where to access capital
  • Develop a compelling pitch
  • Adopt strategic marketing & branding practices
  • Competently price your products
  • Navigate licensing and certification specific to food businesses 
  • …And more!

 

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 (in business less than 5 years, no revenue requirement)
  • 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 in-person markets and online commerce 
     

All entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply. This program amplifies qualified businesses who:

  • Are led by people from historically excluded communities including Women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, Veteran, and formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs.
  • 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


Please Note: 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.

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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