Startups

The lack of meat processing facilities in the U.S. has been a big problem for decades. Continued consolidation has led to larger but far...

The best entrepreneurial candidates for VAPG do their due diligence, looking at all aspects of the business, like financing, marketing, product testing, talking to others and hire a team (like lawyers, accountants, etc.) that can help them before rushing into the process.

Most successful entrepreneurs have a network of support behind them, like an advisory team, board of directors and funders. These individuals provide mentorship and guidance that is invaluable for that company's success, augmenting what the entrepreneur and management team bring to the fold.

All food and beverage businesses have an overwhelming amount of stuff that they have to sort through to launch their business. These questions help new and aspiring food and beverage business owners navigate the plethora of considerations, everything from incorporation to permits to designing your business to be defensibly unique.

While the VAPG grant can be complicated (for example, a 75 page application plus Business Plan and third-party Feasibility Study), it requires applicants to critically consider expansion of the customer base and the marketplace for products as well as demonstrate how they will have sufficient business structures, profit and cash flow to operate in the long-term.

Sometimes certain products or certain classes of products make more sense in certain markets than others. For example, heavy or perishable food items make less sense to sell online due to the shipping costs and logistics involved. But unconventional markets could make sense if location or customer data suggests it is a good idea.

Quantitative measurement of key business drivers brings focus and clarity to what can be a chaotic process of entrepreneurship and provides direction that proves to be a north star during times of trial.

We know it takes grit to be an entrepreneur, and in this day-and-age it takes a special kind of grit to be a farm...

The huddles this week focused on how the current situation for food and farm businesses is going to go on for a while and coming out of it will be very slow.

Women found innovative food and farm businesses all the time, yet they still have a harder time landing investment than male entrepreneurs do. Part of the issue is decision-makers in the investment world are predominantly men. Regardless, it is still entirely possible for female founders to raise money successfully. Gaining financial literacy is the first step. They need to be exceptionally well-versed in their needs and numbers and go into investment discussions with confidence.