Start or grow a business for good.
Retail Brand Accelerator

Emerging Brand Accelerator

Accelerate your emerging brand for retail readiness

IMPORTANT DATES

Priority Consideration Deadline:
June 30th, 2025

Final Application Deadline:
July 14th, 2025

Program Dates:
August 4th to October 8th, 2025

Virtual 10 - week accelerator for emerging, diverse-founded retail brands

Emerging Brand Accelerator provides tailored education, mentorship, and resources that prepare diverse founders to break through and succeed in retail. Ultimately, we aim to leverage the power of business ownership to build a more inclusive and equitable economy. 

This intensive virtual 10-week accelerator is designed for early-stage brands in revenue looking to scale into retail. Participants will refine their sales presentations and processes, increase their inventory and supply chain capacities, build a stand-out brand identity, and be guided through retailer compliance requirements. The program includes a series of virtual workshops and 1:1 tailored mentoring aligned to the supplier criteria required by retailers.

Key Program Outcomes

Preparation to Grow

  • Hone sales presentations and collateral. 
  • Build a roadmap for sales and growth within a market.
  • Identify your target customer to inform a strategy. 
  • Get ready for the holiday season sales.

Capacity Gains

  • Structure your growth and scale goals into an achievable strategic plan. 
  • Explore manufacturing options and learn when to scale fulfillment capabilities and efficiencies.  
  • Refine your branding and positioning. 
  • Complete the Demand Capacity Checklist. 

Network Building

  • Build your network of industry experts.  
  • A dedicated Mentor in Residence with entrepreneurial expertise is available for 1:1 coaching. 
  • Receive mentoring from a customized team of seasoned mentors with retail-specific expertise.
  • Gain lifetime alumni benefits such as mentorship, funding resources, and legal support.

Business Leadership

  • Master your financial projections. 
  • Build business skills that match your industry & product expertise. 
  • Become an expert storyteller who motivates and compels others.

Alumni Outcomes

SEED SPOT alumni ventures have achieved extraordinary success over the past 10 years!

$399M

Revenue Generated

$196M

Funding Raised

9,719

Jobs Created

89%

Underrepresented Founder

Southeastern Roastery serves more than just coffee—it supports regenerative agriculture and promotes sustainability. This coffee is the solution for conscious consumers seeking to make an impact while indulging in delicious, high-quality, and creative coffee.

 - Candy Schibli, founder of Southeastern Roastery

emerging Brand accelerator. Picture by Joanne S. Lawton

Program Snapshot

Weekly Agenda

  • Group training sessions on Monday & Wednesday, 12:30-2:00 pm ET
  • Pitch coaching with mentors 
  • Tailored mentorship for your business
  • Office hours with industry experts
  • Independent assignments for business growth
  • Work 1:1 with dedicated mentors who believe in your mission

Learning Topics

  • Brand Strategy & Positioning: 360-degree planning that provides tools, support, and resources needed to support growth into retail.
  • Retail Selling Environment: Training from cross-functional retail experts (established brands, retail buyers, and distributors) on what is required to successfully launch, grow, and thrive in a national, omnichannel retail environment.
  • Supply Chain, Manufacturing & Logistics: Deep dive into production, packaging, and the supply chain management capabilities needed for retail.
  • Building Team: Strategies for building teams and advocates that support scale.
  • Budgeting, Costs of Goods, and Funding Projections: A critical module on financial planning, developing an expense roadmap, and raising capital.
  • Sales Presentations: Opportunities to practice your pitch directly to key stakeholders in preparation for buyer pitching.

Who is this Program For?

Emerging Brands

Retail Products

Underrepresented Founders

  • A brand that has demonstrated traction. Traction can be sales, customer validation, or building and testing a prototype. This program could be right for you if you fit one or more of these descriptions: 
    • You are earning 25k per year and ready for growth.
    • You have an in-home-produced product with steady sales and are ready to seek a manufacturing facility. 
    • You have a validated prototype and strong manufacturing practices and are ready for sales. 
  • We recognize underrepresentation as the lack of proportional inclusion across various identities, encompassing but not limited to: BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color); individuals who identify as women, transgender, and non-binary; those with diverse abilities; individuals from low- or moderate-income backgrounds; military veterans, active-duty personnel, and military spouses; members of the LGBTQIA+ community; immigrants or first-generation citizens; and individuals residing in rural communities.

Let's talk about your venture!

Norquist_Linda_SEED-SPOT_SST25-1

Linda Norquist, SEED SPOT Marketing and Recruitment Manager, to discuss the program's fit for your unique business needs!