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What is
Prepped?

Prepped is a free, food business program for ventures owned by women and underrepresented minorities. We offer immersive training in early-stage food business development including sustainable business operations, food costing and financial literacy, small business marketing and communications strategies, permits and licensing and more. All sessions are taught by experts from Arizona State University and the community.

Hire a Prepped business

Prepped

Benefits of joining Prepped

  • Weekly class sessions taught by ASU faculty and food industry experts.
  • Interactive peer learning with a cohort of 15-20 fellow emerging food business owners.
  • Dedicated 1-1 mentorship sessions with experienced food business experts.
  • Financial support for ServSafe Manager Certification, Maricopa County Health permits, commercial kitchen rental, and program-related food expenses — a value of up to $1,200 per business.
  • Participation in the annual Prepped Showcase to meet industry stakeholders and have a chance to win up to $5,000 to grow your business.
  • Access to Prepped Alumni Circle, our signature graduate network creating a sustainable ecosystem of food entrepreneurs who support each other long-term. See a sampling of Prepped graduates.

ASU Prepped has changed the way we work and do business; now we are more prepared. Thank you for the opportunity given to us!”

- Ricardo Aguirre, Tamales y Tacos Puebla

The Prepped Approach

  1. Entrepreneur Commitments: Entrepreneurs live by certain guiding principles that make them successful. ASU’s entrepreneurship faculty help you innovate your business model and understand your own adaptability as your biggest asset.
  2. Study Success: If you want to be successful, study those who have been successful. Prepped entrepreneurs have 1 on 1 time with successful food entrepreneurs on topics such as menu creation, marketing and business operations.
  3. Know Your Numbers: Increase your capacity by understanding your finances and efficiency leaks. By the end of this program, you will have a solid financial foundation and a plan to increase your margins and revenue.

87small businesses served

95%owned by underrepresented minorities

60%owned by women

I am continually in awe at the wealth of industry knowledge and support that Prepped has made available to us. I am immensely grateful!”

- Devereaux Jackson, Q-Tsie

Who can apply

Prepped focuses on early-stage, non-brick-and-mortar food businesses. Our curriculum aligns best with:

  • Caterers.
  • Food and beverage trucks or carts.
  • Farmers market products such as baked goods or other added-value products.

Applicants must be existing micro food businesses owned by women or underrepresented minorities. Businesses must have validated their business concept in the market prior to applying and should be able to demonstrate low to moderate household incomes.

 

How to apply

Prepped cohorts run for 12 weeks once each fall and spring. Applications are released in mid-summer for the fall cohort and early winter for the spring cohort. All businesses interested must apply and be selected to participate.

To receive an alert the next time applications open, sign up for our newsletter.
 

Cost

Prepped is free to participants upon acceptance into the program.

 

Prepped has given us the confidence and knowledge to successfully grow our business and reach a market of customers that we did not think was possible.”

- Heather Davis, Flyin’ K BBQ

 
 
 
 
 
 

Our team

During the program, Prepped participants work with experts with diverse backgrounds from ASU as well as the community.

Meet the team

Want to help support training for local food entrepreneurs?

Donate

Still have questions? Contact us.