Stepping Forward
BIPOC Business Incubator
Applications for our 2024 cohort are now closed
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PROGRAM DETAILSAre you a passionate BIPOC culinary entrepreneur with a dream of sharing your unique flavors with the world?
Stepping Forward Business Incubator is a 7-month program designed to lower start-up cost barriers, promote diversity, and nourish the selected participants with all the resources, coaching, and advising they need to launch their dream business successfully. We will provide you with all the resources you need to launch your business as a one-stop shop.
This pilot program welcomes aspiring food entrepreneurs or current entrepreneurs with less than a year in business in the City of Vancouver.
Some benefits include:
Seed funding.
Access to a community market.
Access to the Fourth Plain Community Commons commissary kitchen.
Business Website.
Food business-specific marketing & other workshops.
Custom business advising & mentoring.
Networking opportunities, and much more!
This program is funded by City of Vancouver’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Important dates!
PLEASE NOTE: Only City of Vancouver residents are eligible for this program. Verify your address location HERE
For Application Instructions. click HERE
The deadline to submit an application with all required documents is January 12, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. PST.
All applicants will be notified of our selection decision by January 19th, 2014
Note: Documentation Required at time of application
A resident of the City of Vancouver. Click HERE to verify your address
Under 80% Area Median Income- see chart on the right.
Black, Indigenous, and Person of Color (BIPOC).
English proficiency is required.
Over 18 years old.
Idea phase or less than a year in the food business
Eligibility Requirements
2023 Area Median Income (AMI)
If you don’t qualify for the BIPOC Business Incubator, you can still access our Business Connect Program by clicking here.
Need assistance? Get in touch
businessassist@fourthplainforward.org
