Events

As part of Grow North's commitment to creating a more equitable Food and Ag startup ecosystem we are excited to partner with Target to offer this opportunity to women-owned and BIPOC-owned businesses.

This event is an opportunity for these entrepreneurs to pitch to various local, regional, and national grocers and retailers, broker those relationships, and expand and grow their business! We encourage all local food producers to apply if you feel you fit the criteria to participate in this showcase and are retail-ready and able to scale your business. Space is limited so please click the link apply.

By applying to the event entrepreneurs can expect the following actions over the next 8 weeks:

• Entrepreneurs will be provided a template to put together their pitch deck and get feedback and mentorship from Target Buyers and other industry experts to finalize their content.
• Entrepreneurs will fill out a 1-page summary they will submit for a "pitchbook" of products sent to all Buyers prior to the event to prime them on who is presenting.
• On 12/4 we will have a Pitch-style event where all entrepreneurs pitch to all Buyers for 2-3 minutes.
• Buyers and entrepreneurs will have the chance to connect either separately as schedules allow or immediately following the pitch event in breakout rooms.

Application closed on November 2nd. If you have any questions please contact us at hello@grownorthmn.com.

Tuesday, December 8th, 2020, 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Online Event

The event features a box of CPG products made entirely by BIPOC entrepreneurs in our ecosystem! They have been paired with a local chef of color who is creating a unique dish using one of the products whose recipe will be shared. Tune into the event and see the chefs and entrepreneurs in action, make the dish at home, learn about each pair, and taste some delicious products! This box has a whopping 8 pounds of product in it so get ready for a night of deliciousness!

Click here to buy the product box today!

Zoom link will be provided soon.

We are thrilled to announce that registration is now open for the third annual Food, Ag, Ideas Week, December 3 - 10, click here to register now!

Things will look a little bit different this year with the conference going virtual. However, we are thrilled with the line-up we have in store for this year. This is an invitation to be inspired, connect with leaders and get involved in Minnesota’s food and agriculture ecosystem.

Food | Ag | Ideas Week is structured to support and engage all members of our ecosystem - farmers and growers, entrepreneurs and innovators, investors and academics, and the entire support system full of industry experts. This conference will share different perspectives and highlight opportunities and innovations across the food and ag tech space, and within food and society.

To make this conference accessible, a majority of the week’s 25+ events are included with the FAI Pass. There are some add-ons to enrich your experience. In particular, we have two product boxes that are an integral part of our networking events. Due to COVID restrictions, we are using these as a way for local entrepreneurs to gain exposure and offer trials during a time when the interaction needed to reach customers has been stifled. We encourage you to support these entrepreneurs and purchase a box to help our community during the holiday season, and enjoy the variety of products which will be showcased and used during those events.

Join us for an extraordinary week of learning, conversations, and convening! (And don’t forget to sport your FAI T-shirt that’s included with Registration!)