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START Program Application

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About the START Program
PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Hot Bread Kitchen's Start program partners with eligible food entrepreneurs to start their food business, providing access to

(1) An affordable licensed commercial kitchen space;
(2) Market opportunities;
(3) Capital readiness counseling and startup capital;
(4) Technical expertise; and
(5) Customized one-on-one mentorship.

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
Acceptance into the Start program is highly competitive and kitchen space is limited. Select entrepreneurs will be invited to interview with Hot Bread Kitchen staff and a committee of industry professionals. Hot Bread Kitchen will consider entrepreneurs who meet the following criteria:

1. Minimal Viable Product: The entrepreneur must have operated a business for at least six months, have a minimal viable product, and can demonstrate a demand for their product/service either through financial statements or a product demand analysis.

2. Income Eligibility: Household income must fall under 120% Area Median Income (AMI) in NYC. (see chart below)

3. Gender Eligibility: The entrepreneur must identify as a woman or gender-expansive individual.

4. Entrepreneur Skills and Competencies: Hot Bread Kitchen assesses the applicant’s professional experience, entrepreneurial spirit, openness to learning new skills, and ability to cooperate in a challenging and busy environment.

5. Business Viability and Long-Term Vision: The food business will be assessed for its idea, revenue model, and long-term viability. 

6. Exit Strategy: The Start program is a business incubator where entrepreneurs will test their proof of concept. On average the food business will remain in the program between one to five years. Applicants will be assessed on their ability to explain how they will transition from incubation and towards long-term growth during that time.

7. Location: Entrepreneurs must operate their business in one of NYC’s five boroughs

8. Business Structure: The food business must be established as an LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, or other registered entity prior to the program start date.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. 

Income Eligibility 2023:
Family Size120% AMI
1$118,680
2$135,600
3$152,520
4$169,440
5$183,000
6$196,560
7$210,120
8$223,680

Application Support
If you have questions about this application or the program please visit our website or contact hbkincubates@hotbreadkitchen.org.
Application Checklist

In addition to a completed application, please include the following attachments on page 3 of the application. (If you have any questions about the requested attachments please email hbkincubates@hotbreadkitchen.org)


  1. Business plan or a completed business plan framework template 
  2. A profit and loss statement
  3. A recent cash flow statement
  4. A recent balance sheet

Contact Information








You must be at least 18 years old to apply.

Please note: we will communicate with you by text after receiving your application. Standard messaging rates apply. If you would prefer not to receive text messages from us, please answer "no" to this question.



Referral Information


About Your Business















This can be an estimate if you do not know the exact revenue figure.












Food businesses operating under the Department of Health must register with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance

You must provide proof before the first day of kitchen utilization

Documents


If you do not have a business plan, please complete the business plan framework template below and upload it here.
Business plan framework template for use if you do not have a business plan.



Page 4

Vision





Exit Strategy


About Your Culinary and Entrepreneurship Experience











Please select all that apply

Additional Demographic Information




Pronouns are the words we often use to talk about a person when we're not using their name. Ex: She/her, He/Him, They/them, She/they
PLEASE NOTE: The programs at Hot Bread Kitchen are only for women, nonbinary and genderqueer people in New York City.








Household income includes earned income (such as from a job or pension) and public benefits (including cash assistance, food stamps, social security, unemployment, disability, etc). If you need assistance with this question, please ask a HBK staff member.







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