How the Program Works
How Our Kitchen Incubator Program for Food Startups Works
As a driver of growth in underserved communities, we would love to help everyone launch their commercial culinary project. However, our program is only available through the application process due to resource limitations. Here is how our non-profit kitchen incubator program works for individuals seeking sponsorship.
Application
1
We have multiple application review periods each year, depending on our funding and anticipated kitchen space resources. An application must be completed to qualify for sponsorship.
Pre-Incubation Phase
2
Once your application is chosen to move forward, you’ll begin a several-month pre-incubation period. In this stage, sponsors receive technical assistance and education support on the business side of their kitchen startup. This includes focusing on the foundations of their unique business. Educational work focuses on other key contributors to success, such as marketing, finance, and business operations education.
Project Incubation
3
Once they successfully complete the pre-incubation period, sponsors will continue receiving educational support while opening access to commercial kitchen space to begin generating profit from their food startups.
Project Expansion
4
After sponsors reach agreed-upon goals related to their project, they will graduate from our program and expand their business outside the support of Culinary Maker’s commercial kitchens.
Qualifications
Culinary Makers’ Incubator Program is open to qualified food businesses that complete our application and interview process.​ If you do not qualify for the Incubator Program, you may still be eligible to rent our kitchen as a commercial user.
Culinary Makers reviews applications based on the following criteria:
Income Level
Our non-profit works exclusively with underserved groups throughout the region. Many of our sponsorship awardees are low-income individuals with limited assets.
Business Readiness
In addition to income requirements, we love to see business ideas that have legs and that applicants have carefully considered. Applicants are encouraged to create a business plan to send with their application. The commercial culinary industry is a great opportunity, but it’s also highly competitive, so we put much more horsepower into viable business models.
Applicant Readiness
In addition to the other more tangible and measurable factors, we favor applicants with a true entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to work with other sponsors within the Culinary Makers kitchen incubator program.
During the incubation process, sponsors will share kitchen space with other sponsors, so being willing to work with others in the program goes a long way.
Product Viability
The food industry is highly competitive, so your product needs to be both exceptional and marketable. It’s not just about making delicious food—it’s about creating something that stands out and meets a real demand, ensuring your business has the potential to be profitable.
Community Spirit
Our kitchen is a shared space where food entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds come together to grow their businesses. Success here requires flexibility, collaboration, and a willingness to work closely with others. We deeply value our community and count on every entrepreneur to contribute to a supportive, respectful, and inspiring environment that reflects the heart of what we do.