ScaleUp Kitchen is a business development program aimed at supporting food entrepreneurs in Fayette, Haywood, Madison, Shelby, and Tipton counties with support from Ford Motor Company Fund and hosted by Epicenter and theCO.

It’s designed for food-based businesses aiming to scale and prepare for regional procurement opportunities. ScaleUp Kitchen’s programming will help entrepreneurs with branding, communications, planning, and strategy. More specifically, the curriculum developed for the ScaleUp Kitchen program aims to assist entrepreneurs in the following ways: improve kitchen and business operations, increase profitability, and maximize sales. 

ScaleUp Kitchen will provide resources for primarily underrepresented food-based business owners as they enhance current or planned mobility components of their businesses to provide greater access to food to citizens in the growing region around BlueOval City.

ScaleUp Kitchen will select 21 entrepreneurs to participate in the program which includes a 3-day accelerator, one-to-one consulting, a food showcase, and a pitch competition with prizes ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 for up to four recipients. Additionally, all program participants will have the opportunity to apply for a stipend of up to $3,500 for business development and showcase costs. After the program, technical assistance and feedback will be provided to all participants to prepare them for their next steps

Meet Your Facilitator:
Lisa Brown

Lisa Brown, a Memphis native, is a passionate foodie and foodpreneur with extensive experience in the food & beverage industry. She serves as the chief business coach and consultant for retail programming at Epicenter Memphis. Starting her career with Burger King Corporation, she’s helped restaurants and F&B companies connect with their customers, nail their messaging strategy, and scale to win throughout the years.

Most recently, she co-created and delivered City Tasting Box to the marketplace. In just two years, Lisa has doubled her company's revenue and garnered national attention with features in major publications to include, Forbes, Black Enterprise, Bossip, and Thrillist.

Lisa holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, TN, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management degree from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI. Additionally, she’s earned several certificates in Digital Marketing, Public Relations & Media, and Brand Communications.

Program Details

  • The multi-day accelerator brings entrepreneurs and talent together in a consultative-style workshop to provide business education, develop stronger business acumen, and discuss industry insights.

    Dates: Tuesday, April 16, 2024, through Thursday, April 18, 2024

    Sessions take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day.

  • Entrepreneurs will be paired with business coaches to assist them in key business disciplines and participate in Q&A sessions with industry leaders.
    Coaches will lead the participants through a curriculum designed to improve operations, maximize profitability, and increase sales.

    Entrepreneurs will exit the accelerator with a stronger understanding of their business and industry, resources to take their business to the next level, and limited access to technical assistance.

    Dates: April, May, and September 2024

  • The food showcase allows entrepreneurs to display their companies and product offerings in an exhibit-style event for potential corporate clients, vendors, consumers, and investors.

    At the event, entrepreneurs can mingle with their customer base and potential investors, provide product samples and tastings, share about their business, and learn from the audience.

    After the showcase, program participants will be ready to pitch potential investors for funding. Investors, composed of a panel of executives and local businesses, will choose up to four businesses to award prizes ranging from $5,000 up to $20,000.

    Dates:

    August 8: Memphis showcase/pitch event from 3 to 8 p.m.

    August 15: Madison County showcase/pitch event from 3 to 8 p.m.

    August 22: Haywood County showcase/pitch event from 3 to 8 p.m.

Application Criteria:

  • Open only to eligible small businesses located and operating in Haywood, Madison, Fayette, Tipton or Shelby counties

  • Small business owner must be at least 18 years of age or older

  • Small business owner must own at least 51% of the equity and must be the primary decision maker for the day-to-day operations of the business

  • Business is independently owned and operated 

  • Business has been actively operating for at least two years

  • Business has been revenue-generating for at least 12 months prior to the program period

  • Business must have an active website and/or social media presence 

  • Business employs one hundred (100) people or less

  • Business is registered with the Tennessee Secretary of State with an appropriate business license (must be sent via email) 

  • Business owners must be available for a 30-min virtual interview prior to being selected for ScaleUp Kitchen

Applications close Friday, March 22, 2024, at 11:59 pm CST. Applicants who have been selected to participate will be notified via email on or before Tuesday, March 26, 2024