Retail Readiness Entrepreneurship Training Program by Watson & Walmart

Donor: Watson Institute, Walmart

About: The Retail Readiness Entrepreneurship Training Program, backed by Walmart and Watson Institute, is designed to empower underserved entrepreneurs in the agriculture sector who are transforming agricultural inputs into higher-value products. This 16-week program offers essential training, retail readiness certifications, financial stipends, mentorship, and access to a robust network aimed at helping entrepreneurs become retail-ready, scale their ventures, and create lasting community impact.

The program includes weekly virtual workshops, a 2-week immersive experience, and a Basecamp event where entrepreneurs can showcase their ventures and gather community support. The focus is on supporting entrepreneurs in the ‘missing middle’ stage—those who have proven products but need assistance to achieve retail readiness and scale their businesses.

The program is open to U.S.-based entrepreneurs in cities with documented high levels of wealth inequality, as measured by the GINI Index. Cities include Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, and many others. The program offers long-term alumni support to help entrepreneurs continue to grow and impact their communities positively.

This transformative program is designed to provide comprehensive support to agriculture-focused entrepreneurs, helping them navigate the complexities of retail readiness and achieve sustainable growth.

Focus: Agriculture, retail readiness, entrepreneurship, leadership development, community impact, venture scaling

Region: United States, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, other cities with high wealth inequality

Eligibility:
– Impact-driven entrepreneurs working directly in farming or creating value-added products from agricultural inputs.
– Ventures in the ‘missing middle’ stage, with proven products but not yet ready to scale.
– Commitment to the 16-week program, including a 2-week virtual immersive.
– U.S.-based entrepreneurs from cities with high wealth inequality.
– Applicants seeking expert-guided training, community support, and mentorship.
– Adults 18 or older.

Benefits:
– Essential training and curated list of retail readiness certifications
– Financial stipend up to $1,000 for certifications
– Mentorship and access to a robust network
– Long-term alumni support
– Community engagement through Basecamp events
– Leadership and venture development skills

Terms:
– GINI Index: A measure of income inequality ranging from 0 (perfect equality) to 1 (maximal inequality). Used to identify cities with high wealth inequality for program eligibility.
– Retail Readiness: The state of being prepared for retail operations, including certifications, training, and financial support.
– Value-Added Products: Products created by transforming agricultural inputs into higher-value items, such as ready-to-eat foods, organic products, and biofuels.
– Basecamp: A community event led by program participants to showcase their ventures, gather feedback, and expand their network.
– Venture Scaling: The process of growing a business to increase revenue, impact, and reach.