Our Incubation Program

The HBK Incubates program has been developed to provide appropriate support at each level of growth and to meet the needs of our members who come from diverse backgrounds and have a range of experiences and skills. Exact programmatic support is flexible to accommodate the different needs of the incubator’s members.

Level 1: Test

Level 1 members focus on adjusting to production in a commercial kitchen space.  Business planning support is offered though workshops and one-on-one coaching. Culinary support and recipe development is offered through supervised production and individual assistance.  Graduation to the next level requires a minimum of 40 hours of supervised production time, successful in-market testing and obtaining the Food Handler’s Certificate.

Level 2: Seed

Level 2 members produce independently in a fully equipped commercial kitchen. Experience through production is supplemented with training, field-trips, and workshops.  Graduation to the next level requires reaching regular monthly production targets and sharing updated business and marketing plans.

Level 3: Grow

Level 3 members build on their success in Level 2 to grow their business further and establish a track record of sales.  Mentoring by experienced food entrepreneurs helps them advance to the next level.  Sliding scale pricing allows members to scale-up their businesses while maintaining an adequate cost structure: rates decrease as members use more hours in order to help them accrue capital and emulate business development.

Level 4: Graduate

With the support of HBK staff and partners, Level 4 members develop an exit strategy to transition to their own production facility or a co-packer arrangement.