Entrepreneurs serving up tasty fare — from vegan to Korean options — recently got key help in making their ventures successful.
Five food businesses graduated in late March from the fourth annual Food Business Accelerator, a partnership program between Collab and CitySeed.
The five ventures were picked from about 40 applicants. The graduates went through a 12-week program which offered in-depth, one-on-one coaching. They got a free voucher to CitySeed’s commercial kitchen, seed funding, an educational curriculum, ServSafe training and certification, according to the organizations.
Dawn Leaks, executive director of Collab, said it will continue its relationship with the ventures even though their time in the accelerator is over.
“As with all of our graduates, we hope to be a steady and consistent part of their entrepreneurial journey as they take their businesses to the next level,” Leaks said.
Cortney Renton, executive director of CitySeed, said the graduation is just the beginning for these ventures.
“We can’t wait to welcome these ventures into the CitySeed commercial kitchens, as vendors at our Farmers Markets, and to support their growth along the way,” Renton said.
The five ventures included:
- Kandaka, founded by Azhar Ahmed, will bring the traditional flavors of Sudan to Greater New Haven.
- Chef Sil’s Vegan Kitchen, founded by Silvia Loney, is a Latinx market providing plant-based dishes aimed at health-conscious consumers.
- Momma Kiss Kitchen, founded by Kismet Douglass, provides convenient and nutritious ready-to-eat meals.
- Kkot-gil, founded by Daniel Kim, features Korean food.
- Dinner for a Dollar, whose operators include Allison Batson, Bob Bergner and John Cerritelli, is a nonprofit organization delivering hot meals via its food truck for $1.
To date, about 40 entrepreneurs have gone through the food accelerator program, with 85% led by people of color and 61% led by women. Past graduates have gone on to have successful businesses, such as Oh Shito!, Kawit!, Je T’aime Cupcakes and Cocktails, Fantastic Foods and Bo-yi.
Contact Michelle Tuccitto Sullo at msullo@newhavenbiz.com.
