Providence, R.I. (May 8, 2020) – Join Social Enterprise Greenhouse (SEG) for a festive Zoom celebration as the graduates of its 2020 Food Accelerator complete their three-month business development journey and pitch their social ventures to an online audience. The 2020 Food Accelerator Virtual Graduation and Pitch Night takes place on May 13, 2020, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The event is free and open to all. Registration is available at https://bit.ly/SEG2020FoodGradZoom.
Social Enterprise Greenhouse’s Accelerator is the organization’s signature venture development program. It features a 12-week blended learning experience that provides social entrepreneurs with the tools, networks, and resources to further validate their venture, understand their customer, and formalize growth strategies from fundraising to social impact measurement. Additional value is provided by one-on-one business coaching, a peer cohort model, and access to SEG’s network of expert volunteers. The 2020 Food Accelerator started in February and will graduate a cohort of seven social ventures.
“We’ve been honored to work with our 2020 Food Accelerator cohort and watch them develop over the past 12 weeks,” said SEG CEO Kelly Ramirez. “Thanks to our generous funders, partners, instructors, and coaches, these entrepreneurs have gained the knowledge and skills they need to grow their ventures and impact. We are confident that their businesses will create good jobs, strengthen the Rhode Island food system, and improve the health and well-being of our community.”
The 2020 Food Accelerator is funded in part by the RI Department of Labor and Training’s Real Jobs RI initiative, Blount Fine Foods, Newman’s Own Foundation, and United Natural Foods.
Social ventures graduating from SEG’s 2020 Food Accelerator:
Distinguish Catering produces a sauce line that features a burst of ethnic flavors in one taste, with the goal of increasing potential jobs for individuals and addressing social issues in Liberia. Founder: Jessica Zeon of Providence
Eden’s Bowls bridges the gap between health and nutrition by developing and providing access to healthy food and healthy care for their stakeholders in the U.S and the Caribbean. Founder: Michelle Robinson of Johnston
FreshConn builds healthier, more vibrant communities through access to local and nutrient-dense food. Founders: Patrick Straus and Brandon Monti of Cranston
Lila introduces exciting new superfoods from China, such as dried black goji berries, to the American market, using sustainable packaging and supporting a living wage for farmers in remote areas. Founders: Jasmine Yang & Karina Bao of Providence
Providence Gardenworks builds urban composting and gardening into a personal, urban, radical, environmental movement in Providence and well beyond. Founder: Stewart Martin of Providence
Roots 2Empower breaks the cycle of poverty by increasing career and small business pathways to increase financial security for formerly incarcerated men of color. Founder: Tarshire Battle of Pawtucket
The Southside Farm-to-Market Center is a food hub in Providence working with small-scale farmers of color in Rhode Island and Massachusetts to build an equitable local food system. It will provide FDA-compliant wash, packing, storage, and processing facilities, along with marketing and distribution services for farmers and other food businesses. Founder: Jazandra Barros of Providence
About Social Enterprise Greenhouse
Social Enterprise Greenhouse creates positive social and economic impact by providing social entrepreneurs and enterprises with the tools and networks they need to thrive. It also fosters an ecosystem of diverse stakeholders who work to enable a more just, equitable, and resilient economy. Social Enterprise Greenhouse operates statewide out of three programming sites in Providence, Newport, and Pawtucket/Central Falls. To learn more, go to www.segreenhouse.org.
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Contact:
Karen Donovan
Communications Manager
kdonovan@segreenhouse.org