Cultivate Small Business
An innovative program from Santander designed for food entrepreneurs.
Santander's Cultivate Small Business program is designed to support the growth of early-stage woman-, BIPOC-, and immigrant-owned food businesses in emerging neighborhoods. The 12-week, fully virtual program is completely free to entrepreneurs, and provides you with industry specific education and networking, along with capital grants for your business.
The Fall 2024 cohort will support entrepreneurs in the Greater Dallas, Miami and Philadelphia areas.
Applicant Criteria
Cultivate Small Business aims to strengthen minority entrepreneurs (including women and people of color) in food - related industries and their businesses with the building blocks to be successful business owners.
Program participants should represent a business that meets the following criteria:
- Participants should reside in or represent a business located in alow-to-moderate income, urban area in the Greater Dallas Fort-Worth, Miami-Dade or Philadelphia areas.
- Gross/net revenues of $25,000 to $1,000,000 in the most recent full calendar year.
- Minimum of 1 year in operation as of March 1, 2024
- Between 1 and 10 full-time equivalent employees
- Food-related industries, including processing, technology, manufacturing, and food services.
CURRICULUM
These sessions will be taught virtually by current Babson College professors.
NETWORKING
Program participants will be connected to industry experts who will share valuable knowledge and can help address challenges participants are facing. These subject matter experts cover a diverse array of topics and come from all three markets included in each cohort.
CAPITAL GRANTS
All participants who successfully complete the program (attend classes, present a business pitch and submit a final action plan) are eligible for a grant of $2,500. Nine exemplary graduates will be awarded grants of up to $13,000.
PROGRAM TIMELINE
Program duration: Classes run from early September to the end of November with graduation in December 2024.
HOW TO APPLY
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROGRAM?
Attend one of our official info sessions.