Applications open for Makers Landing food incubation programme

The V&A Waterfront is searching for food entrepreneurs to take part in the Makers Landing Food Incubator Programme this year.

Applications to join the programme are open until Friday January 31.

The 12-month programme, facilitated at Makers Landing, is designed to nurture and empower food entrepreneurs by providing them with the necessary skills to scale their businesses, access to state-of-the-art kitchen equipment, production facilities and the growing economic opportunities in the region.

During the incubation programme, food entrepreneurs gain access to bespoke business development support, mentorship and coaching, technical support, product development, market readiness and opportunities, export readiness and networking sessions to help take their business to the next level.

This approach is designed to develop their businesses and entrepreneurship skills while providing a practical learning experience.

The incubation programme is broken down into three phases:

• The first three months - pre-incubation phase - is dedicated to identifying gaps in the business, key focus areas and building a strategy for future growth. This includes selection, contracting, baseline assessments and development maps.
• The incubation phase - the next five months is a comprehensive business development programme to prepare the entrepreneur for running a successful food business and scaling its operation which includes regular health checks to assess implementation, scale of operations, funding readiness, market support and funding opportunities; brand development, media and public relations, market readiness and bespoke programme technical support.
• The growth phase - the last four months focuses on driving access to market. A dedicated team is assigned to assist each business with market exposure and unlocking growth opportunities.

Visit www.makerslanding.co.za/incubator/ to apply, or for more information.