The Program
A leading startup accelerator
Food Foundry wrapped up its 6th cohort of visionary founders in 2024. Our team worked with five forward-thinking early-stage startups dedicated to revolutionizing customer experiences in the restaurant industry.
Think: leveraging advanced technologies such as the metaverse and virtual spaces, Web3, AR/VR, front-of-house automation, retail tech, AI enhancements, and more to shape the next generation of dining.
$99M+
Total funding raised
200+
Total jobs created
35+
Alumni companies
6
Cohorts over 6 years
Benefits
What founders get out of the program
Funding Intros
1:1 introductions to our extensive network of investors and venture capitalists, and connections to other funding opportunities to help our founders secure the financial support they need to thrive.
Resources
We facilitate connections for our founders to national foodservice business resources, offering specialized programming and access to exclusive events. Food Foundry also provides 1:1 support from our dedicated mentors, in-house entrepreneurs-in-residence, and our wider network of investors and industry experts.
Community
We organize a variety of events and workshops that bring together founders, like-minded entrepreneurs, experienced mentors, startups, and industry leaders in one of the most vibrant startup hubs in the nation, Chicago, Illinois.
Founder Journey
From application to alumni
Cohort application
Apply
Early-stage founders disrupting food and foodservice apply to join the next Food Foundry cohort.
Kickoff
Onboarding
Accepted founders join the cohort, meet the Food Foundry team, and get access to the Relish Works and Gordon Food Service network.
Core program
Mentorship & Curriculum
1:1 mentorship, specialized programming, and exclusive events built around the realities of the foodservice industry.
Throughout the cohort
Funding Intros
Direct introductions to Food Foundry's network of investors, venture capitalists, and other funding opportunities.
Program finale
Demo Day & Alumni Network
Founders pitch to investors and industry leaders at Demo Day, then join a growing alumni network of 30+ companies.
Demo Day 2024
If you missed Demo Day, meet Cohort 6
Let Us Nudge presenting at Demo Day 2024
Funding
Capital that meets founders where they are
Funding structure has evolved as the program has grown — ask us for the current cohort's specific terms when you apply.
- Cohort 6 (2024) founders received a $15K equity-free stipend.
- Terms have evolved cohort to cohort — Cohort 5 (2023) startups received a $75K investment.
- Every cohort gets direct, warm introductions to Food Foundry's investor and VC network.
Program Details
Network, curriculum, and who should apply
Network
- Direct access to Relish Works, Gordon Food Service, and 1871
- A growing alumni network of 30+ portfolio companies
- Introductions to investors, VCs, and industry operators
Curriculum
- 1:1 mentorship from dedicated mentors and entrepreneurs-in-residence
- Specialized programming built around foodservice realities
- Access to exclusive industry events throughout the cohort
Eligibility
- Early-stage founders with a working product or prototype
- Focused on food, foodservice, or restaurant technology
- Ready to be hands-on in Chicago for key programming and Demo Day
FAQ
Questions about the program
Ready to bring your idea to the table?
Tell us about your company and we'll follow up with details on the next cohort's application window.