TURN YOUR FOOD IDEA INTO A BUSINESS PLAN
Seed is a 12-week program where you test your food business idea through a mix of self-paced videos and hands-on workshops. The program covers the A to Z of launching a food business, including defining your product and customer, pricing and financial planning, production and operations, marketing, legal set-up, and funding your business.
| Eligibility Requirements | – Have a food business idea – Have a household income at or under 120% Area Median Income for NYC |
| Location | – Self-placed learning through an online platform – Live workshops via Zoom – Final pitch event in person at Chelsea Market |
| Time Commitment | – 5 hours/week of video learning and independent work – 5 2-hour workshops biweekly on Mondays/Wednesdays from 5:30-7:30 pm – 2-hour pitch event in person at Chelsea Market |
| Cost | – Free to participate |
| Application Process | – We run 5 cohorts each year. See below for the next program start date. – To be considered for the upcoming cohort, submit your application by the deadline below. |
| What You’ll Graduate With | – Validated financial model – Clear business plan for launch and growth – Pitch deck to share your business – Mentor connection to review these materials – For approved business plans, financial support for licensing and incorporation costs |
2026 Program Calendar
| Cohort | Apply By | Program Dates |
| 26.3 | May 25, 2026 | June 1-August 28, 2026 |
| 26.4 | July 13, 2026 | July 20-October 16, 2026 |
| 26.5 | September 9, 2026 | September 16-December 11, 2026 |
TESTIMONIALS
“Joining the Seed program opened my eyes up- helping me understand my cost-of-goods, taxes, and my numbers so I can tap into relaunching my business.”
– Natasha, Eat My Cake Too
“Through Seed, we learned that when unforeseen circumstances arise, or new ideas come up, you have to revisit your business plan every time. This has helped so much when it comes to applying for loans to grow our business.”
– Sarah & Cheryl,
Mama Cheryl’s Kitchen
“Developing my mission statement and business framework with Seed was a game changer. Every grant I apply to, every conversation I have about my business, comes from the framework I built with HBKi.”
– Tiffany, DrinkFolks
ALUMNI NETWORK
Once a member, always a member! Graduates of our programs stay connected with HBKi through our alumni hub, office hours, ongoing technical assistance, and access to market and capital connections, so your business can keep growing and thriving.
WHAT’S NEXT?
After completing Seed, founders can continue their growth journey through our Start and Scale programs. Start supports early-stage food entrepreneurs as they transition from cottage to commercial production through access to commercial kitchen space, financial coaching, and market connections, helping founders reach break-even and generate sustainable owner income. Scale is designed for businesses operating for two or more years, connecting founders with external capital to fuel long-term growth and expansion.
