Who is Food Foundry for?

Early-stage founders building technology, products, or services that improve food and foodservice. That includes restaurant tech, supply chain, sustainable packaging, and CPG.

Is the program equity-free?

Terms change from cohort to cohort. Cohort 6 startups received a $15K equity-free stipend. Ask us about the current cohort's terms when you apply.

Do I need to be based in Chicago?

No, but the program runs in person in Chicago. Expect to be here for key programming and Demo Day.

How is Food Foundry connected to Gordon Food Service?

Relish Works, Gordon Food Service's innovation studio, built Food Foundry. That gives founders direct access to one of North America's largest foodservice distributors and its industry network.

Reach out through our contact page. We'll send details on the next cohort's application window and requirements.

For founders changing food and foodservice.

Food Foundry is a Chicago founder community and accelerator built with Relish Works and Gordon Food Service. We help early-stage businesses grow with investment, network access, and hands-on guidance.

Apply Now Meet Our Startups

Runs in person in Chicago. Cohort 6 founders received a $15K equity-free stipend.

Innovating in the middle of the foodservice value chain

Between the farm and the fork are the distributors, warehouses, and restaurants that get food to people. That's where Gordon Food Service works, and where Food Foundry founders build.

Hand-drawn illustration of the foodservice value chain: a tractor, a delivery truck, a hand truck with a box, a restaurant, and a fork and knife, linked by arrows. A bracket marks the truck, hand truck, and restaurant as the middle.

What you get

How Food Foundry backs founders

Funding Intros

One-on-one introductions to our network of investors and venture capitalists, plus connections to other funding sources, so founders can raise the money they need to grow.

Resources

National foodservice business resources, specialized programming, and exclusive events, plus one-on-one support from our mentors, entrepreneurs-in-residence, and industry experts.

Community

We host events and workshops that bring together founders, fellow entrepreneurs, experienced mentors, startups, and industry leaders in Chicago, one of the country's busiest startup hubs.

The Program