☰
Are you an entrepreneur looking to make a meaningful impact in your community through retail? The Retail Readiness Entrepreneurship Training Program, generously supported by Walmart, is a competitive 16-week leadership and venture development initiative designed to empower 25 underserved retail entrepreneurs. This program focuses on transforming agricultural inputs into higher-value products or working directly in agriculture, equipping founders with essential training, mentorship, and resources needed to become retail ready.
Opportunity Details
The Retail Readiness Program aims to help participants scale their ventures, create jobs, and foster positive community impact. Through comprehensive support, entrepreneurs will receive a curated list of retail readiness certifications and a financial stipend to pursue those certifications, alongside mentorship and access to a robust network of peers and industry leaders.
Key Program Details
With the unwavering support of the Watson Institute team, you will receive a comprehensive roadmap to guide the growth and scalability of your agriculture focused work. Additionally, you will facilitate an impactful workshop (known as a Basecamp) in your community for your stakeholders, backed by a stipend, playbook, and team support to bring your vision to life.
Who they are looking for:
Who You Are:
You are an impact-driven entrepreneur, working directly in farming or creating value-added products based on agricultural inputs. Some examples of value-added products in agriculture include: ready-to-eat products, organic and specialty products, artisanal and craft products, natural fibers and textiles, cosmetics and personal care products, biofuels, bioproducts and more. This program supports historically underserved entrepreneurs who are making lasting impact in their communities.
Venture Stage:
You are an impact-driven entrepreneur with proven products, traction, and revenue, but not yet ready to scale. This program targets those in the ‘missing middle’ stage, between prototyping and scaling, who need support to achieve retail readiness. Ideal candidates have demonstrated impact in their communities and are in the Problem-Solution Fit or Product-Market Fit stages, with engaged customers and measurable impact and revenue.
Commitment:
You are able to commit to the 16-week program including a 2-week virtual immersive. We prioritize individuals who are fully committed to actively participating in the entire program. At the heart of the program is a strong sense of community, and its success hinges on the active engagement and enthusiasm of all participants, who are eager to both learn and share.
Where You Create Impact:
The training program is open to U.S.-based entrepreneurs from cities with the highest documented levels of wealth inequality, as measured by the GINI Index. The geographic scope for the program includes places like Chicago, Dallas, Houston, and Los Angeles, among many others.
What You Are Looking For:
You seek expert-guided training, a community of entrepreneurs for feedback, and a broad mentorship network to enhance your leadership and venture impact.
Demographics:
Adults 18 or Older.
1. Applications Submitted: Complete the online application. This application should take approximately 45 minutes to fill out. The priority deadline for application submissions is January 26th, 2025. Applications will be reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis thereafter until the spots are filled.
2. First Round Review: Our Admissions Committee diligently reviews all applications, seeking entrepreneurs who demonstrate strong leadership qualities and ventures that are both innovative and scalable. Applications received after the deadline will be assessed on a rolling basis as needed.
3. Interview: Qualified applicants will receive invitations for a 20-minute one-on-one Zoom interview. This interview allows us to delve deeper into your motivations for pursuing the program and to gain a better understanding of your venture.
4. Admissions Committee Review: The most promising applicant profiles will be shared with our external Admissions Committee for their final review and selection.
5. Acceptances Announced: Notifications of acceptance will be sent out no later than February 21st, 2025.
6. Confirm & Enroll: The final step to complete your enrollment is to confirm your commitment to the program. Upon confirmation, you will receive an invitation to participate in a “Meet the Cohort Webinar” event leading up to the program’s commencement. The program begins on March 10th, 2025.
Apply for Watson Institute Retail Readiness Entrepreneurship Training Program