Frequently Asked Questions

What is the AWESOME Accelerator? A 10-week sales development program for women and non-gender conforming agrifood founders in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba with emerging businesses.

What happens during the 10 weeks? You will:

  • meet with your cohort once per week

  • work through your individual barriers of branding, processing, distribution and product development in a group setting with experts, seasoned entrepreneurs and your peers

  • be required to prepare for and participate during each session

  • be expected to progress through your own business development goals between each session

  • have opportunities to pitch and sell in a variety of practical scenarios

  • meet mentors and seasoned entrepreneurs customized to your needs

Can I apply? You can apply if you:

  • own a registered food processing business AND reside in Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba

  • are a woman or non-gender conforming entrepreneur with at least 25% ownership AND decision making power in the business

  • currently sell food or beverage product within your provincial borders, or have started to sell product outside of your province within the past 12 months

  • have the objective and potential to sell Canada-wide

Why should I apply? Apply if you want to:

  • improve your marketing and operations for domestic expansion

  • participate in guided, live discussions with experts, seasoned entrepreneurs and your peers

  • develop your pitching and selling skills for Canada-wide business growth

When can I apply? Apply now!

How do I apply? Complete the written application first.

  • If your application is selected, you will be invited to interview with the program coordinators to determine your fit and acceptance as a participant.

Is this free? Yes!

  • Thanks to support from PrairiesCan and FCC, The Saskatchewan Food Centre is able to offer this program free of charge.

Why do you run this program? Canada’s food and beverage processing sales totaled $122.1 billion in 2020.

  • Food & beverage processing is the largest manufacturing employer in Canada and provides employment for 290,000 people.

  • The proportion of women and gender non-conforming owners in Canada, quite literally from farm to table, continues to increase.

  • While this progress is modestly positive, members of our community remain underrepresented and continue to face significant barriers in the food manufacturing sector including access to financing, sales opportunities and business clubs.

  • AWESOME works to build confidence and knowledge plus breakdown barriers and biases.