Level up your food or drink business
Unlock your business’ potential with the Food Accelerator Programme
Food Accelerator is a four-month programme of dedicated business and technical advice, training, tools and networks for food and drink businesses already located in Kent and Medway or looking to start out or relocate to the region.
You might already run a successful business but are seeking growth or at change in direction. Have you just started out and are looking for start-up support? Are you sitting on a great idea for a food or drink business but are unsure how to turn your dream into a reality?
Supported by Growing Kent and Medway, the Food Accelerator has all the right ingredients that will help your business succeed – expert technical, business and financial advice and help that will get your concept ready for market.
The next cohort kicks off in February 2025 and we are seeking startups that are innovating in the healthy and sustainable food and drink space. Successful applicants will receive three months of business support, access to technical experts, food scientists, and the Medway Food Innovation Centre.
“The Food Accelerator is for people with ideas, start-ups and enterprises looking to launch, grow or scale their business in Kent. Whether you have new ideas for an underserved demand or innovative ways to make a food or drink better, this programme is for you. Alongside technical expertise and mentoring you will have access to networks of business partners, potential customers, suppliers and investors from across the region.”
Karima Kamel, Business Development Manager
Do you have an idea for an exciting new food or drink product?
Have you spotted a gap in the market?
Would you like to turn your idea into a commercial reality?
Run by experts in food production, processing, handling, storage, and waste based at the University of Greenwich in Medway, we will work with you to:
- Connect you with experts who can help
- De-risk your strategy, with access to equipment and facilities to develop your prototype
- Fast-track your growth by raising finance and get to market quickly
As a participant, you will learn how to scale and grow your food or drink businesses through customised workshops, expert guidance, and peer-to-peer groups.
Access to expert technical support, including training and guidance on the use of cutting-edge facilities and equipment. The technical research team will help you to:
- Develop your product and produce a viable prototype
- Develop a new process, practice or technology
- Produce data to help support future projects.
Access to a specially selected mentor to help you identify what you want to achieve and the support you need to get there.
- Up to 12 hours’ support
- Virtual or in-person mentoring
- Personalised matching with individuals from a variety of backgrounds
- One-to-one group sessions and masterclasses available.
Find out more about The Food Accelerator Programme.
Please complete the below form to register your interest for the next cohort and one of our advisors will be in touch.
The Food Business Accelerator is an initiative of ‘Growing Kent & Medway’, a project led by horticultural research organisation NIAB EMR based in East Malling, Kent. ‘Growing Kent & Medway’ is focused on strengthening the competitiveness of Britain’s horticulture, food and drink industries, funded under the UK Government’s ‘Strength in Places’ scheme.
