Here, in Shelby’s own words, is what you can expect from GFA and GFAx in 2020 and beyond:
I am excited to join the team as the Managing Director of the Good Food Accelerator. I would like to first thank Rebecca Frabizio and Chelsea Huson for their extremely hard work in running the Accelerator. I am looking forward to the kick-off of Cohort 6, which is starting on February 25. We will announce the final group of entrepreneurs very shortly.
I will be making some minor tweaks to the Accelerator’s programming, and refreshing the curriculum and its delivery to give our GFA Fellows an enhanced experience. I plan to do this by adding additional topic-specific expertise in finance, retailing and marketing, and communicating GFA activities and milestones through our new GFA-specific blog.
Equally as important is our new GFA Extension program, which is initiating 8-week cohorts. Our target audience for this program are women- and minority-owned entrepreneurs and businesses located in or benefiting under-resourced communities. Look for an increased GFA presence through additional workshops and events in these targeted areas.
The goal of GFAx is to provide a foundation for understanding the challenges of growing successful CPG and other food businesses. It also includes a 16-Week Market Access Program that will provide intensive coaching, mentor introductions, access to capital, and resource referrals.
I am now working to develop a staff of Good Food true believers to implement this plan. Be sure to look out for our announcements as we bring these amazing people on board.
