Santander stated that the program is “like a mini-MBA for food businesses” and is entirely funded by the bank. Cohort 8 is a virtual program accessible to food-related small enterprises in Dallas, Philadelphia, and Miami. The deadline for applications is June 15.
The free, 12-week, fully-virtual program provides entrepreneurs with industry-specific education, networks, mentoring, and the opportunity to apply for capital grants, as well as a completely virtual environment.
Santander seeks to connect early-stage entrepreneurs with key ingredients necessary for success in the food business, such as food-service-related business management skills, technical assistance, and access to a local network of seasoned food-industry specialists.
Patrick Smith, head of consumer and business banking at Santander, previously stated, “Entrepreneurs play a vital role in creating jobs and strengthening the communities in which they do business.”
Together with our program partners, we are proud to be able to provide entrepreneurs and small business owners who traditionally lack the resources to develop their businesses with the skills and guidance they need to establish and expand their businesses.
Dallas College, a local collaborator in the Dallas area, is ready to assist.
According to Cristin Thomas of Dallas College, it is an innovative initiative devised by Santander for food entrepreneurs.
Thomas, executive district director of small business and entrepreneur innovation at the college, explains that Santander’s Cultivate Small Business signature philanthropic program is intended to support the growth of early-stage woman-owned, BIPOC-owned, and immigrant-owned food businesses in emerging neighborhoods.
Thomas says that Dallas residents with concerns about the program can contact Dallas College.
Other partners include Babson College, ICIC, CommonWealth Kitchen, the SBDC at Temple University, and the SBDC at Florida International University.
Eligibility and further study
Participants must represent a company that fulfills the following requirements:
- Participants must reside in or represent a business in a Dallas-Fort Worth urban area with low to moderate income.
- Gross/net sales between $25,000 and $1,000,000 for the prior full calendar year.
- Minimum one year of operation as of 1 March.
- between one and ten equivalent full-time employees
- Food-related industries including processing, manufacturing, technology, and food services
There will be two information sessions (16 May and 7 June) in which participants will:
- Learn about the structure and timetable of the program
- Learn about a program graduate’s experience from them.
- Describe the qualifications and application procedure
- Question and reply
Santander Consumer USA is a consumer financing company based in Dallas that is affiliated with Santander Bank. It concentrates on automobile financing and unsecured lending.