Seed Award Spotlight: In the Business of Food

This series features recipients from the most recent round of Seed Awards, sharing their paths to entrepreneurship, the values that guide their work, and the ways their businesses contribute to stronger, more resilient communities. Each profile offers insight into the leadership, creativity, and commitment required to build and sustain food businesses that serve both local markets and the broader public good.

In the most recent award cycle, Michigan Good Food Fund distributed nearly $300,000 in seed grants to 18 Michigan-based food and farm businesses. These investments extend beyond capital support, recognizing the essential role these enterprises play in strengthening Michigan’s food system, advancing equity, and supporting long-term economic growth.

Among this year’s awardees is In the Business of Food (IBF Detroit), a foodservice agency dedicated to helping under-resourced food entrepreneurs build sustainable, thriving businesses. Through hands-on consulting, coaching, and strategic support, IBF Detroit connects local food makers with the tools, knowledge, and partnerships they need to grow — fostering economic mobility and strengthening Detroit’s food ecosystem.

Keep reading to learn more about In the Business of Food and how they are expanding opportunities for Detroit’s small-business community.

Shared by: Ederique Goudia, In the Business of Food, Detroit, Michigan

What does being selected as a Seed Award winner mean to you personally, and how does it reflect on the journey of your business so far?

Being selected as a Seed Award winner affirms the consistent, behind-the-scenes work we’ve been doing for nearly a decade to strengthen Detroit’s food entrepreneurial ecosystem. IBF Detroit grew out of years of listening to entrepreneurs who were talented and passionate, but navigating systems never designed with them in mind. This award signals that their businesses, and the work required to support them, are being understood, seen and valued.

Personally, it’s validation of our relationship-centered approach to community and capacity-building. IBF grew through trust, one business at a time and this recognition reflects that.

In what ways will the Seed Award funding support your immediate and long-term business goals?

In the immediate term, the Seed Award allows IBF Detroit to launch a focused technical assistance program for businesses operating in the Shed 5 Incubator Kitchen. Having dedicated funds for professional product photography, graphic design, content creation, packaging and labeling design, and legal assistance addresses the exact gaps that keep our food businesses from scaling.

Long-term, this support strengthens the infrastructure IBF Detroit has been building through consistent programming and helping food entrepreneurs to become retail-ready. We are confident that this model can create a scalable impact that can be expanded to other kitchens and communities all across Michigan and also helps position IBF for future partnerships and investment.

Can you share your vision for the positive changes this award will enable you to make in your business and the broader community?

This award will allow IBF to continue to deliver the kind of hands-on, high-quality support that turns early-stage entrepreneurs into confident business owners. By focusing resources on technical assistance, we can support underserved entrepreneurs in overcoming barriers that have traditionally limited growth, such as poor market visibility or lack of compliance. When entrepreneurs can clearly communicate their brand and become more visible, their opportunities multiply.

The broader vision for us will always be a more equitable food ecosystem; one where local food entrepreneurs have real pathways to revenue, markets, and generational stability. For truly transformative positive change, we understand the need for a systemic shift in how capital and expertise flow through the industry to entrepreneurs. This award can be a catalyst for that, which will result in business growth, job creation, a path to strengthen the marketplace and local supply chains and increase community wealth.

What led you to start your business? What motivates you to do what you do?

The decision to start IBF Detroit emerged from firsthand experience with the barriers faced by underserved food entrepreneurs. It was in response to a pattern we saw over and over: incredibly talented entrepreneurs who had the skill, creativity, and passion but not the support systems, technical knowledge, or connections needed to grow. Having worked in various capacities within the food industry, the lack of accessible, culturally relevant business support and technical assistance was glaring.

What motivates us is simple: when an entrepreneur gets the right support at the right moment, everything changes. Businesses stabilize, opportunities expand, and families are able to experience new possibilities. Our commitment is and will always be to economic equity and community well-being.

Interested in one-on-one business coaching or culinary development from IBF Detroit? Visit their website to find their contact information and subscribe to their bi-weekly newsletter. Don’t forget to follow them on Instagram and LinkedIn.