THECO, FORD MOTOR COMPANY, AND EPICENTER ANNOUNCE PARTICIPANTS IN SCALEUP KITCHEN

THECO, FORD MOTOR COMPANY, AND EPICENTER ANNOUNCE PARTICIPANTS IN SCALEUP KITCHEN

Jackson, Tenn (April 15, 2024)- ScaleUp Kitchen has invited 23 food based entrepreneurs across Haywood, Madison, Shelby, and Tipton counties to participate in the program that is supported by Ford Motor Company Fund and hosted by Epicenter and theCO.

ScaleUp is 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. The goal of ScaleUp is to empower food entrepreneurs for regional success. The free program provides a 3-day accelerator, one-to-one consulting, a food showcase and a pitch competition with substantial prizes ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 for up to four recipients.

"The ScaleUp Kitchen program is all about rolling up our sleeves and diving into the heart of many food service businesses, providing personalized consulting and hands-on technical assistance. I couldn't be more thrilled to join forces with this dynamic cohort of entrepreneurs! Their passion for their craft and their drive to excel is truly infectious, and it's the kind of energy that fuels my own enthusiasm, Lisa Brown, facilitator of ScaleUp said. “Together with a team of seasoned business coaches, we're laser-focused on empowering these entrepreneurs to increase their sales, maximize their profits, and fine-tune their operations. For many in our group, this support is the missing ingredient they need to elevate their businesses to the next level of success."

The participants invited to ScaleUp are as follows:

Haywood County: O’Taste & See El Ranchitos Suga’s Diner

Madison County: Sprinkle Me Sugar Skillet Junction Crystal’s Zen & Juice Turntable Coffee Counter Mae Lou's Cafe Littlebird Restaurant & Bar Loaded Juice

Shelby County: Primas Bakery & Boutique Trap Fusion Riko’s Kickin Chicken LLC Your Personal Chef! LLC Feast & Graze Options Restaurant Foodtruck Enchanted Tea Lounge Good Fortune Company

Tipton County: Naifeh's Food Market Crafted Coffee Grillin’ and Chillin’, Sumth’n Different The Cellar Jose's Mexican Street Food

Phase one, the consultative-style workshop, will take place from Tuesday, April 16, 2024, through Thursday, April 18, 2024. The next phase is one on one mentoring and coaching where entrepreneurs will be paired with business coaches to assist them in key business disciplines and participate in Q&A sessions with industry leaders. The final phase is the ScaleUp Kitchen Showcase and Pitch Competition where entrepreneurs are able to mingle with their customer base and potential investors, provide product samples and tastings, share about their business, and learn from the audience.

The dates for the food showcase/pitch competition are: August 8: Shelby County from 3 to 8 p.m.

August 15: Madison County from 3 to 8 p.m.

August 22: Haywood County/Tipton County from 3 to 8 p.m.

For more information about ScaleUp and the facilitator, visit www.epicentermemphis.org/scaleup