Incubators and accelerators can be useful to entrepreneurs who are looking to move their start-ups forward. In addition to mentorship and training, many food startup accelerators will offer funding. (Note that this funding is often in exchange for a portion of equity). They also tend to offer co-working space, community, connections to distributors, and introductions to angels and venture capitalists looking to fund businesses like yours.

Note: Originally published on April 23, 2015. The current publication date reflects the last time the list was updated. Thanks to all who write in with additions to the list!

The List: Food Startup Accelerators & Incubators

Without further ado, here are some of the incubators and accelerators that have popped up across the globe for you. These programs are focused on food, beverage, consumer goods and/or agriculture businesses. Check ’em out.

Accelerators Adjacent to Food & CPG

The below groups aren’t focused on food or CPG, but work in adjacent spaces. They sometimes include CPG companies in their cohorts.

• Bioenterprise — Not-for-profit accelerator focused on Ag-Bio – Canada
• Indie Bio — focused on biotech, but accelerates synbio companies like Muufri – San Francisco & Cork, Ireland
• The NextFarm Accelerator — Martin, TN
• Thrive Accelerator — This is SVG Partner’s accelerator, dedicated to AgTech – Salinas Valley
• Village Capital — focused on agriculture startups – Louisville, KY
• The Yield Lab — AgTech – St. Louis, MO

Incubators vs. Accelerators

With all this talk of accelerators and incubators, you might be wondering: What’s the difference between an accelerator and an incubator? I’ve got you covered. Check out: What’s the difference between an accelerator and an incubator?

Are Accelerator Programs Worth Giving Up Equity?

Is it worth giving up equity to participate in an accelerator program? As someone who has been through an accelerator (Chicago Booth’s Polsky Accelerator Program) and has interviewed for and gotten into YCombinator, I understand the question.

As accelerator program money tends to be expensive capital, you’ll want to make sure that you’ll be getting more than just money out of the program. What benefits do you expect to also get? Connections? Prestige? Access to VC capital? Give this some thought, and also check out our post: Are startup accelerators worth the equity you give up?

Do Accelerator Programs Work?

Do accelerator programs work? These stats on accelerator success rates might be helpful. It seems that YCominbator leads the pack (but rarely admits CPG companies) in ROI. (YC helped launch Airbnb, Reddit, etc.) All of this said, the success and metrics of accelerator programs in general are opaque.

Questions and List Additions

Have questions? Want to chat? Think I missed a program worthy of being listed? Shoot me an e-mail or leave a comment below. I’m happy to help.