Twelve food and beverage brands join Target accelerator

MINNEAPOLIS — Twelve food and beverage brands were selected to participate in the fifth Target Forward Founders accelerator program, described as “an immersive 10-week program” providing education, tools and connections to early-stage entrepreneurs.

The program began on Oct. 3 and represents various product categories, including baby and toddler, beauty, food and beverage, health and personal care, home, pets, and toys and entertainment.

Food and beverage brands chosen for the program include:

Abisola Whiskey, a “modern-day” whiskey brand blending bourbon and malt whiskeys;

Aruba’s Halal Kitchen, a line of frozen halal meals;

Bebe’s All Natural Masalas, a collection of Indian masala sauces and chutney;

 Cálido, a gluten-free, Bolivian cassava cheese snack;

Confusion Snacks, a maker of ready-to-eat popcorn featuring South Asian flavors;

Eunice Foods, a range of Caribbean spices, seasonings, foods and beverages;

Josu, a line of flavored salts inspired by Korean cuisine;

Mocktails for Mommy, a brand of alcohol-free libations;

Proletas, an ice cream bar with added protein;

Soul Grain, a brand of granola flavored with North African and Caribbean spices;

Stellar Granola, a line of granola blends enhanced with nutrient-dense ingredients;

TATU Protein, a brand of ready-to-drink flavored water formulated with whey protein.

Target Forward Founders is designed to help consumer packaged goods companies prepare for retail shelves. Participants create a retail action plan, receive coaching from Target buyers, connect with a network of experts and complete the program with a $5,000 stipend, according to Target Corp.

Aadit Patel, founder of Confusion Snacks, shared in a LinkedIn post, “From over 5,000 applicants, we’re humbled to be 1 of 30 companies selected to learn directly from Target leaders and mentors on how to scale Confusion Snacks for mass retail. We’re just a week in, but already inspired by Target’s investment in nurturing the next wave of emerging brands and shaping retail through diversity, inclusion and equitable opportunity.”

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