This EDA investment funds the food and beverage investors network project, to help increase the capacity of next-generation battle creek food reimagined investors (next-GEN bcfri) to VET, validate,…

This $615,500 Project Grant from the Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration's BUILD TO SCALE federal grant program will fund the Food and Beverage Investors Network project delivered by Battle Creek Unlimited Inc. The project aims to increase the capacity of the Next-Gen Battle Creek Food Reimagined Investors network to vet, validate, and make critical seed and angel investments in early-stage, high-growth food manufacturing companies in Western Michigan. Specific products and services include recruiting and training new angel investors from diverse backgrounds; providing a path for trained individuals to invest in pre-seed and seed funds; increasing the regional pool of trained angel investors; and increasing technology-enabled food entrepreneurs' access to capital by exposing new and existing funds to regional investment opportunities. Once completed, the project is intended to develop an investor training program and network to address capital gaps, increase angel investor diversity, and diversify access to capital through new funds.

This EDA investment funds the food and beverage investors network project, to help increase the capacity of next-generation battle creek food reimagined investors (next-GEN bcfri) to VET, validate, and make critical seed and angel investments in compelling western michigan innovation-based, early stage, high-growth food manufacturing companies. The project work will: (1) recruit and train new angel investors; (2) provide a path into pre-seed, and seed fund investment for trained individuals from diverse backgrounds; (3) increase the pool of trained angel investors for seed funds regionally; (4) increase access to capital for technology-enabled food processing entrepreneurs in the midwest region by exposing new funds and fund managers to regional investment opportunities; and (5) use existing training sources and the statewide capital network for leverage. Once completed, the project will: (1) develop a training program and investment network of investors to address the capital gaps through education; (2) increase the diversity of angel investors and (3) diversify access to capital through the creation of new funds.