WBENC and Kroger are bringing entrepreneurs an exciting Industry Accelerator program this fall, from September 11 through October 17. The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) Industry Accelerator | Kroger Feeding Growth Opportunities is a cohort-style accelerator program featuring education sessions, mentoring, pitching opportunities, and more.
Through this dynamic Industry Accelerator, brought to you by Kroger, applicants accepted into the cohort will participate in a dedicated accelerator program with 2 additional education sessions. Once accepted, cohort participants will:
- Attend a series of virtual sessions led by Kroger team members on a variety of topics such as business pitching, presenting to a category manager, marketing tips, and more.
- Be matched with a Kroger mentor for a 1:1 discussion to occur during the program.
- Have their capability statements reviewed by Kroger supplier diversity professionals and buyers for consideration to pilot a contract with Kroger. (This opportunity is based upon specific criteria, vendor capabilities, and Kroger sourcing needs, and does not guarantee a contract will be awarded).
Eligibility
- Applicant must be an owner of the company.
- Elevator pitch videos submitted in the application are limited to 60 seconds. Any videos longer than 60 seconds will not be accepted, and the application must be resubmitted.
- The business solution featured in the application pitch video must be an existing business solution that is currently ready for market or already in market, not a future endeavor in need of investment.
- If the company has more than one owner, only one representative may apply and pitch/participate in all program components.
- The company is registered in Kroger’s vendor management system, Supplier Hub prior to application submission.
- Cohort participants will be notified of acceptance into the program no later than 9/1/25.
Benefit
- The program will culminate with a LIVE virtual pitch competition featuring all cohort participants, and an opportunity for one business owner to receive $10,000 in funding.
Deadline: August 15, 2025.
Click HERE to Apply