Encouragement Grants and Support Services sincE 1997

Applications due  June 29 at www.Back-Offices.com/food 

Finals Sunday July 11, 5-7 pm, live and virtual. Finalists and will receive Zoom invite on May 25. 

Within 5 minutes, finalists will demo software and deliver a PowerPoint presentation; followed by Q&A with judges.

Eligibility.  Must be a CT resident  student at a CT school, or own a startup (sales <$10,000) in CT. 

Prize Categories ($1500 first, $1000 second, $500 third per category, plus $1000 crowd favorite)

Plus vouchers for 12 hours of free use of a commercial kitchen.

1. Packaged Food and Beverages 

2. Food Service (Restaurants, Food trucks, Caterers)

3. Industry-supporting services (e.g. - Delivery, Waste reduction, Food Safety) 

A. PRODUCT OR SERVICE brief description (8 words or less)

B. COMPETITION. Important competitors, their strengths and weaknesses and how you will compete. 

C. CUSTOMER VALIDATION. Research that shows enough people will buy your product to earn a profit 

D. MANAGEMENT: Training and relevant experience  

E. FOOD SAFETY: How do you plan to manufacture and delivery the food to customers safely and in keeping with food production or food service regulations?

F. MARGINS: How much you will sell for and what it will cost to make. (If multiple items, use an average.)

G. CAPITAL. How much do you need to start (or expand business to next level), and how will you use funds?

At Live Finals (Each contestant will have a table that will be visited by the judges.) Judges will ask questions about the food sample(s) offered and the business proposal.

Criteria include:

1. APPEARANCE/ PRESENTATION 

2.  TASTE

3.  INNOVATION. Differentiation from existing companies in the category

4. FINANCE. Realistic revenue strategy and margins

5. MANAGEMENT: Knowledgeable and Convincing 

Celebrity Judges:  Chefs Matt Storch, Bill Taibe, Kashia Cave