A free 16-week incubator programme has launched for Black-led food and drink start-up businesses seeking to grow in the UK, which aims to support their transition to supermarket shelves.

Thrive with Sainsbury's has been created to support Black-led food and drink business with a new product that could appeal to customers of the Sainsbury’s supermarket chain.

The scheme is inspired by Sainsbury’s recognition of the lack of diverse-led businesses on supermarket shelves and the unique barriers that they face. Entrepreneurial food and drink businesses with an ambition to grow and scale up to supermarket level distribution, but who are facing barriers that may be holding them back, will be supported.

This programme has been designed specifically to address obstacles and brings together industry-leading experts, a cohort of support, and the opportunity to secure grant funding in an effort to support selected brands to scale and flourish.

Nine successful applicants selected will receive a welcome grant of £20,000, as well as more than 150 hours of practical support and group learning opportunities with a variety of subject matter experts during the process. Each participant’s journey will be tailored to their specific needs and there will be additional funding available at various stages throughout the process, up to the value of £105,000 per brand.

UK based food and drink business with a founder who identifies as being of Black ethnicity or heritage may apply. The business must be ready to scale.

The deadline for applications is 16 August 2022.

How To Apply

Applications opened on 20 July 2022. The deadline for applications is 16 August 2022.

Applications are made online.

Further information is available from the Foundervine website.