Source: https://kast.com/meet-the-bc-food-processor-associations-path-to-commercialization-program/
Rising Star awarded to Andrew Tait by the BC Food Processors Association
Meet the BC Food Processor Association’s Path to Commercialization Program
BCFPAThe BC Food Processor Association (BCFPA) is thrilled to announce two more offerings of its popular Path to Commercialization program this fall thanks to the support of Growing Forward 2. Path to Commercialization targets BC based up and coming companies needing assistance with business planning, human resources, operations, regulatory processes and/or sales and marketing. It is designed to help increase the success rate of entrepreneurs – both new entrants and those in early growth stage – in the food, functional food, and natural health product sector.
A survey of recent graduates found that the ten companies plan on hiring up to 65 new employees within two years of completing the Path to Commercialization program and collectively expect sales to increase by $340,000 in the next year! Andrew Tait, founder and president of Tait Labs, a natural health product manufacturer and graduate of the first Path to Commercialization program, won the Rising Star Award at FoodProWest 2014. Other top nominees were Catherine Anderson of Hidden Garden Foods / Trugs Gourmet and Tracy Lydiatt of Great Bear Enterprises – both also graduates of Path to Commercialization.
The Path to Commercialization program includes tailoring assistance to companies’ needs, educational networking events, providing one on one business coaching and mentoring by seasoned professionals. The six month program includes two workshops in Burnaby – a half day introductory workshop and a closing full day workshop that includes marketing feedback on participant presentations, networking, and an expert panel. Coaching sessions are arranged between coaches and participants. BCFPA also provides on-going resources to Path to Commercialization graduates.
Companies from all over British Columbia can participate in the program. Each intake is limited to ten companies and each company can have up to two participants in the program. There is a $500 fee per company.
This fall the first intake will target food and beverage companies. The introductory workshop took place on October 6th in Burnaby. A second intake targeting functional food and natural health product entrepreneurs will start on November 14th. Warren Brander of Thera Wise will be guest speaker at the November 14th introductory workshop.
If you, or someone you know, need help getting product to market, the Path to Commercialization Program might be just what you are looking for …
For more information visit bcfpa.ca/path-to-commercialization or contact Debra at debra@bcfpa.ca