Target selects 11 food and beverage brands to take part in Target Takeoff accelerator program

The accelerator program, which will be 100% virtual and last five weeks, provides participating founders with mass retail curriculum and “in-depth mentorship”​ from Target leaders, industry experts, and past alumni from the program.

The retailer clarified that being selected for Target Takeoff doesn’t necessarily entrepreneurs will gain distribution at the mass retailer, but that in the fifth and final week of the accelerator, brand entrepreneurs will be able to pitch their brand to Target category buyers one-on-one.

As a Target accelerator alumni, brands will have continued access to support, exclusive events, and other resources, said the company.

“While our retailer footprint is focused on natural right now, of course we plan to expand to mass market,”​ Griffiths told FoodNavigator-USA.

“We long ago identified Target as the perfect partner for tipping our innovative products to a mainstream trend. We are thrilled and honored to spend every day closely working with the Target team to learn everything we need to know from product, pricing, operations, marketing and finances to strategically roll out our different product lines in Target over the years to come.”​

Griffiths also clarified that participating in Target Takeoff was not a distribution guarantee but that the program “will surely help us shoot our best shot​.”