Product Feasibility Bootcamp

From recipe to retail

Launch your Food & Beverage product with specialized knowledge and all the right connections.

In partnership with

Get notified about our Fall 2023 cohort:

An 8-week, virtual bootcamp for Black entrepreneurs ready to launch & grow their Food & Beverage product.

Our Alumni

A commitment
without compromise

Working with and learning from Black mentors means you’ll never be asked to sacrifice what’s authentic to you.

Our virtual learning environment gives you the insights & tools to launch or grow your business from any location.

Our programs are fully funded by public institutions, giving participants access to our network of mentors and experts at no cost to them.

Keep everything you’ve built. All BEA programs are non-dilutive—we don’t take any equity from your company.

The knowledge to start right.
The insights to do it different.

Perfect your product

Refine your recipe and strategy with a Full Feasibility Study on your food & beverage product. Participants will join interactive virtual training sessions and build the best version of their product with curated mentorship from industry professionals.

Plan your next steps

Tap into today’s best practices in F&B and consumer packaged goods (CPG) with current food entrepreneurs and experts. You’ll gain foundational business skills and build a failproof roadmap for your product.

Start selling

At the end of the program, participants will take their products to various farmer’s markets and industry showcases, where they’ll get to validate their product and get their business in front of the right people.

application steps & details

Upcoming sessions

Fall 2023

Applications for our next Product Feasibility Bootcamp are open from July 17, 2023 and due on September 14, 2023.

The Fall cohort will run from Oct 12, 2023 to Nov 30, 2023.

Winter 2024

Applications for our Winter Product Feasibility Bootcamp are open from December 4, 2023 and due on January 18, 2024.

The Winter cohort will run from Feb 8, 2024 to March 28, 2024.

Please note: Participants are expected to contribute a minimum of 3 to 5 hours per week on the program’s educational workshops and mentorship sessions.

Who can apply?

You can apply to this program if you are:

An individual who identifies as Black
Located in Southern Ontario
At least 18 years old

Ideal applicants will have an idea for consumer packaged goods (CPG) products in the food & beverage industry, and want to gain the industry knowledge to successfully launch or grow your CPG business.

Application process

Interested individuals and companies can apply through our online application.
If you’re fit for the program, the BEA team will reach out to you for additional information and next steps.
Once accepted, you’ll be asked to complete an onboarding form to help our programming team better match you with the right mentor and resource.

For any questions about our application process, get in touch with us.

Program topics

Introduction to the Food & Beverage Industry
Business Model Canvas
Value Proposition & Customer Persona
Food Regulatory and Compliance
Channel Strategy
Product Pricing & Unit Economics
Storytelling & Pitching

Apply to join our next cohort

Product Feasibility Bootcamp (Fall 2023)

Session Dates

Oct 12 - Nov 30, 2023

Application Deadline

Sep 14, 2023

A lifelong network that has your back

Cohorts and graduates of our Product Feasibility Bootcamp will get ongoing access to peer founder circles and other startup perks from the BEA Learning Community.

Meet our Alumni

“The program was extremely helpful in holding me accountable and moving fast. I think that’s the most important and, often, the hardest part about being an entrepreneur. There are times when I’m hesitant about putting something out as I feel it’s not perfect enough, but being able to get customer feedback and utilize that information to make my product better is imperative.”

Jon-Michael Perkins

Cockpit Country Kitchen

“This program was one of the best programs I’ve come across for my own personal growth in business, but also in confidence and readiness. The guest speakers and mentors were absolutely amazing in making sure we understood what was going on in each session.”

Chanée Dowdie

Honey Soul Food Restaurant

“The program was indeed a mind-blowing experience all the way! With every workshop came increased clarity. The office hours were loaded with amazing resources and insights, and the mentors were warm and supportive. I also made new connections and got a chance to leverage ongoing mentorship beyond the program. All my expectations were surpassed!"

Azeezat Adejare

ThatFoodieLawyer

"The BEA program allowed me to meet with amazing mentors and business resources that allowed me to "think outside of the box" where my business is concerned. With the help of this program, I can now pivot with confidence and reassurance. A big thank you to everyone involved with BEA. If you have a food or beverage business idea and want to take it to the next level, this is the program to get in."

Julie Denny

Sweet Treatz

"Thanks to this program, we launched our business officially and began selling online and in a store (Cafe Plenty) with 3 locations."

Gordon Allen

Dutch and Dunn

"Thankful for all the support and services. Bookie and the team truly have a passion for helping us succeed and it was so amazing. I went from having one concept to understanding what will work better."

Pearl Mofunanya

Action Zobo

Program & application
FAQ

Learn more details about the program below, or get in touch with us for all other enquiries.

What is the Product Feasibility Bootcamp?

The BEA’s Product Feasibility Bootcamp is an 8-week, virtual bootcamp for Black entrepreneurs who are ready to publicly launch their Food & Beverage CPG product.

Participants will get access to workshops, mentors, start-up perks, a network of peers, and more.

When are applications due?

Applications for our next Product Feasibility Bootcamp are open from July 17, 2023 and due on September 14, 2023.

The Fall cohort will run from Oct 12, 2023 to Nov 30, 2023.

How much does the program cost?

Nothing! All BEA programs are free and non-dilutive (we take no equity).

Who’s eligible to apply?

Our Product Feasibility Bootcamp is open to all Black-identifying individuals over the age of 18, located within Southern Ontario.

Who are the ideal candidates?

We’re looking for individuals who have an idea for consumer packaged goods (CPG) products and want to gain a better understanding of the industry and what it takes to launch a CPG product. Whether it’s a hot sauce, a beverage or a snack—just come with an idea that you’re ready to build on.

How much time will I have to commit?

Participants are expected to contribute a minimum of 2 – 5 hours a week to participate in the educational workshops and connect with their mentors. Any additional time they have to complete the work required to push their business idea forward will be up to the participant.

How many ventures will be chosen?

A maximum of 11 applicants will be chosen for the program during each cohort.

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