Grow Coastal

The Sunshine Coast's first food accelerator

16
Week
Program
150
% increase
Customers
75
Workshop
Hours
50
Industry
Experts
80
% increase
Revenue

The Innovation Centre and the Food and Agribusiness Network have partnered to provide 12 of the best food and beverage businesses in the region with the opportunity to take part in Grow Coastal, Sunshine Coast’s  food innovation accelerator.

2019 Applications are now open.

Please apply via the link below. Applications close 28 November 2018.

Frequently Asked Questions

Applications Closed

28 November 2018

Selection Process

December 2018

Bootcamp

5th February 2019

Program Starts

5th March 2019

Program Ends

18th June 2019

What you will achieve

VALIDATE

Validate your ideas through product testing and market research opportunities

DEVELOP STRATEGY

Commercialise and develop a go-to market strategy with clear milestones and goals

LAUNCH

Launch your business to industry leaders, media, potential customers and investors

BRAND EXPOSURE

Gain brand exposure, build your reputation and gain valuable feedback.

BUILD A NETWORK

Build a global network of key business connections and mentors with industry experience

PROFILE

Gain targeted exposure, profile and communicate your venture broadly

EXPAND KNOWLEDGE

Expand your business knowledge through our industry focused accelerator program.

INVESTMENT READY

Understand how to manage your finances, become investment ready, prepare IM and pitch to investors

ACCESS TO CONTACTS

Access to our rolodex of businesses, government and university contacts. Access to visiting entrepreneurs, regular events, workshops and extensive networking.

ACCOUNT PACKAGE

Access to the Poole Group / Xero accounting startup package plus access to a range of resources (ie. prototyping, early stage capital, students, etc)

GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES

Advice on offshore landing zones ie. Silicon Valley, Austin, London, Amsterdam, Singapore, etc. Plus free Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA) membership.

RESEARCH LAB

Access to USC’s Engage Lab and Engineering Learning Hub and research facilities (on an approved project basis).

The Program Supporters & Mentors

Our food and beverage entrepreneurs participated in business workshops and received mentoring, one to one support and industry insights from our community of industry leaders, including our extensive mentor network from the IC and FAN.

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Apply Now for 2019  if you want to get in early

Applications are now open for 2019. Enter your details and we'll be in touch with more information about the application process and program details.

Program Delivery

Jacqui Price will deliver the 2018 Grow Coastal Program with support from Innovation Centre CEO Mark Paddenburg.

Jacqui is a marketing specialist in the Food and Beverage industry and a passionate marketer with over twenty years sales and marketing experience. Her expertise covers Retail, Foodservice, Manufacturer, Grower, and Business to Business giving her a unique understanding of the complexities of the market.

This broad background inspired a passion for brand management, particularly in food, beverage and agribusiness. She has worked on household brand names like Birds Eye, Edgell, and Buderim Ginger. Jacqui is the is the Founder of JP Marketing. She is passionate about  helping local businesses grow and an active member of the Food Agribusiness Network.

Want to find out more about Jacqui or about the Grow Coastal program? Email jacquiprice@foodagribusiness.org.au

In 2017 Grow Coastal was delivered by Tara Mei, Founder of Kitchen Table Projects. Tara has international experience in launching and scaling innovative food businesses.

Jacqui Price

Program Manager

Founder of JP Marketing

Our Partners

Our Premium Service providers

The 2018 Cohort

The 2017 Cohort