THE FS6 BUSINESS ACCELERATOR
Food System 6 is a non-profit impact-focused accelerator supporting early stage founders and CEOs working in food and agriculture. We bring these entrepreneurs together with the mentors, diverse networks, capital, capacity-building and community perspectives needed to build their ability to scale and maximize their impact.
Throughout the program, selected participants receive support across a range of areas including business model refinement, go-to-market strategy development, public speaking, and investment due diligence - along with introductions and feedback from potential investors, partners, and mentors.
About the Accelerator
The overarching framework for all FS6 programming is a focus on communications and business strategy. We support each participant in building up the tools necessary to pitch and present their business, as well as the behind-the-scenes hygiene that will prepare them to raise funds, deep-dive into strategy, and refine their approach to capital. Our objective is to help entrepreneurs develop and hone the clarity of thought that they need to go out and effectively communicate their impact and business to any stakeholder - be it an investor, a foundation, a customer, or a producer. In the end, these broad-stroke skills, alongside the individual coaching and strategic mentorship, will equip FS6 program participants for whatever their next milestones are, while also giving them the tools to iterate beyond the reaches of our program.
The program is designed to offer tactical business support and critical communication skills for entrepreneurs innovating across the food and agriculture landscape, while building a relationship with the FS6 team and community of mentors. Each program includes group learning sessions, 1:1 mentorship from the FS6 team and our industry network, community building within and across cohorts, and a concluding Innovation Forum.
We have intentionally developed a collaborative program to facilitate cross-functional relationships across the entire FS6 Portfolio. A large area of focus for us as an organization is to facilitate the connections and build bridges between change agents in order to accelerate our transition to a more sustainable, sixth food system. For more on this, view the FS6 Participation Expectations.
All participating for-profit companies will contribute 1.5% in equity to FS6 upon acceptance to the accelerator program. Selected non-profits may participate at no cost. In addition, thanks to a partnership with investment fund, 1st Course Capital, eligible participants will receive a $25k convertible note upon program completion.
To determine eligibility, please refer to Program Eligibility & FAQs.
The program is designed to offer tactical business support and critical communication skills for entrepreneurs innovating across the food and agriculture landscape, while building a relationship with the FS6 team and community of mentors. Each program includes group learning sessions, 1:1 mentorship from the FS6 team and our industry network, community building within and across cohorts, and a concluding Innovation Forum.
We have intentionally developed a collaborative program to facilitate cross-functional relationships across the entire FS6 Portfolio. A large area of focus for us as an organization is to facilitate the connections and build bridges between change agents in order to accelerate our transition to a more sustainable, sixth food system. For more on this, view the FS6 Participation Expectations.
All participating for-profit companies will contribute 1.5% in equity to FS6 upon acceptance to the accelerator program. Selected non-profits may participate at no cost. In addition, thanks to a partnership with investment fund, 1st Course Capital, eligible participants will receive a $25k convertible note upon program completion.
To determine eligibility, please refer to Program Eligibility & FAQs.
What is FS6 Looking For?
Across all our programs, FS6 prioritizes working with entrepreneurs who are building a food system that focuses on health, sustainability, and justice. We support early stage for-profit and non-profit entrepreneurs who are tackling one or more food system challenges across the following impact areas*:
HEALTHY PEOPLE
For example, innovations that:
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VIBRANT FARMS
For example, innovations that:
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SUSTAINABLE ECOSYSTEMS
For example, innovations that:
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JUSTICE & FAIRNESS
For example, innovations that:
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In addition to the impact areas, FS6 is looking for early-stage companies with a proven track record of success, that have a product or service in the US market or will be entering the US market within 12 months. For questions about whether or not a company is a fit for the FS6 Accelerator, check out our FAQs and sign up here to receive our 10-minute, Stage I qualification application.
*The FS6 impact areas are adapted from Whole Measures for Community Food Systems, a values-based strategic planning and evaluation framework developed by the Center for Whole Communities and the Community Food Security Coalition.
*The FS6 impact areas are adapted from Whole Measures for Community Food Systems, a values-based strategic planning and evaluation framework developed by the Center for Whole Communities and the Community Food Security Coalition.
Timeline/Location Details
Applications for Cohort 7 closed on March 5th, 2021. To be notified when selection begins for Cohort 8, sign up for our newsletter.
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Important C7 Dates:
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Program dates are subject to change. Please sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date with the most recent information.
