Detroit Businesses Owners Graduate from BUILD Basics for Food Entrepreneurs

BUILD Institute partnered with Michigan Good Food Fund to launch a special edition of BUILD Basics to support a cohort of Detroit-based food and farm entrepreneurs ready to scale their business. BUILD’s in-person, eight-week course was free of charge to participants, and connected 12 Detroit business owners with business planning support, mentorship from food industry experts, and access to flexible financing opportunities from the Michigan Good Food Fund’s network of lenders.

A few key eligibility requirements included being located in Detroit, their business was registered in Michigan, and generating a minimum annual revenue of $25,000. They also needed to be available for two hours per week over the eight-week course and able to spend additional time outside of the class to complete fieldwork.

The course concluded with a lively graduation event where the inaugural cohort of food entrepreneurs presented their business pitches in front of a live audience at BUILD Institute. The Detroit business owners shared their inspiring backstories and their plans to scale and grow in the future.

Keep an eye on this group of incredible food entrepreneurs who are working across the food supply chain to bring something new and unique to Detroit.

AZA Beverages

Chi Fan Le

The D Loft

Jetta’s Gourmet Popcorn

Junk Food and Friends

Meal Prep by Cort

Naturally Perfect Foods

Simply Brittany Sweets

Soul 2 Go

Sugah Please Coffee House

Sweet Potato Delights

Vicki’s Bar-B-Q

Interested in opportunities like this for food and farm entrepreneurs?

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