The Retail Readiness Entrepreneurship Training Program is a competitive 16-week leadership and venture development program designed to support 25 underserved retail entrepreneurs who transform agricultural inputs into higher-value products or work directly in agriculture.
Donor Name: Watson Institute
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Training or Mentorship
Deadline: 02/09/2025
Size of the Grant: Not Available
Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year
Details:
Founders receive essential training, a curated list of retail readiness certifications and the financial stipend to pursue those certifications, mentorship, and access to a robust network and community. The program also offers long-term, sustainable alumni support to help entrepreneurs become retail-ready, scale their ventures, create jobs, and positively impact their communities.
Each Founder will have the opportunity to receive up to $1,000 to support their pursuit of external retail readiness certifications. This stipend helps cover certification fees and related expenses, supporting Founders in advancing their retail skills and career opportunities.
The Training Program offers:
The Retail Readiness Program powered by Watson Institute is designed for impact driven entrepreneurs working in agriculture. The program aims to support entrepreneurs to achieve retail readiness, scale their ventures, and create significant community impact.
- Retail Readiness Certifications & Leadership Training
- Founders will receive access to retail readiness certifications and engage in weekly expert-led sessions covering:
- Foundations & Retail Strategy
- Product Development & Branding
- Financial Management & Access to Capital
- Marketing & Sales Strategies
- Operations & Scaling
- Pitch Development & Delivery
- Founders will receive access to retail readiness certifications and engage in weekly expert-led sessions covering:
- Community & Network Building
- A diverse cohort of entrepreneurs, small business owners, and nonprofit founders will form partnerships, collaborations, and further their growth and impact during and after the program. Community building activities include:
- Engagement with Watson Institute Alumni
- Basecamp training and events
- A diverse cohort of entrepreneurs, small business owners, and nonprofit founders will form partnerships, collaborations, and further their growth and impact during and after the program. Community building activities include:
- Mentorship & Collaboration
- Renowned leaders, entrepreneurs, and practitioners join the program to share their entrepreneurial journey and experience, as well as mentor the Founders. Participants are provided with multiple mentorship opportunities that include:
- Preceptor Advisory Board
- Impact Speaker Series
- Mentor Bonanza
- Renowned leaders, entrepreneurs, and practitioners join the program to share their entrepreneurial journey and experience, as well as mentor the Founders. Participants are provided with multiple mentorship opportunities that include:
- Pitch Training & Summit
- Throughout the program, Founders will refine their pitch through guided sessions focused on crafting their story, showcasing impact, and effectively communicating their vision. The Summit is the culminating event where Founders pitch and present their ventures to local leaders, funders, and entrepreneurs. It’s a platform to catalyze change, forge partnerships, and unlock new opportunities for growth and impact.
Who may apply?
- Who You Are:
- You are an impact-driven entrepreneur, working directly in farming or creating value-added products based on agricultural inputs. Some examples of value-added products in agriculture include: ready-to-eat products, organic and specialty products, artisanal and craft products, natural fibers and textiles, cosmetics and personal care products, biofuels, bioproducts and more. This program supports historically underserved entrepreneurs who are making lasting impact in their communities.
- Venture Stage:
- You are an impact-driven entrepreneur with proven products, traction, and revenue, but not yet ready to scale. This program targets those in the ‘missing middle’ stage, between prototyping and scaling, who need support to achieve retail readiness. Ideal candidates have demonstrated impact in their communities and are in the Problem-Solution Fit or Product-Market Fit stages, with engaged customers and measurable impact and revenue.
- Commitment:
- You are able to commit to the 16-week program including a 2-week virtual immersive. They prioritize individuals who are fully committed to actively participating in the entire program. At the heart of the program is a strong sense of community, and its success hinges on the active engagement and enthusiasm of all participants, who are eager to both learn and share.
- Where You Create Impact:
- The training program is open to U.S.-based entrepreneurs from cities with the highest documented levels of wealth inequality, as measured by the GINI Index. The geographic scope for the program includes places like Chicago, Dallas, Houston, and Los Angeles, among many others.
- What You Are Looking For:
- You seek expert-guided training, a community of entrepreneurs for feedback, and a broad mentorship network to enhance your leadership and venture impact.
- Demographics:
- Adults 18 or Older.
For more information, visit Watson Institute.
