Diverse-Owned Business* Accelerator
Get useful business tools, enhance your grocery business knowledge and introduce your product to Schnucks customers.
Now Accepting Applications
This 10 week accelerator starts August 2024. Apply by May 12, 2024 via the Mid-States website, our program partner. Weâll reach out to you if youâve been selected to move forward to the next step of the application process.
Accelerate Your Business
In-Store Product Trial
After course completion, weâll feature your product for a limited time in select Schnucks stores in Spring 2025. This shelf trial period allows you to reach new customers with your product!
$5,000 in Funding
Weâll grant you $5,000 in equity-free funding once you complete the course**, so you can continue to invest in and grow your business.
Weekly Onsite Business Development Classes
Classes will take place in late afternoon at the Schnucks home office in St. Louis, MO. Each class has been carefully crafted to provide you with grocery business knowledge, such as:
- Food Safety
- Pricing and Promotion
- Marketing and Engagement
- Distribution and Logistics
- Retail Technology
- Business Strategy
Networking Opportunities and New Connections
Throughout the program, youâll be given chances to connect with others in the industry, such as:
- A panel with Schnucks category managers.
- A pitch presentation to an advisory board with other companies, banks and grant providers.
- Weekly classes in which youâll chat with and work alongside your cohort members.
- Meetings with mentors and coaches.
Vendor Requirements
To qualify for Schnucks Springboard, you must:
- Own a privately-owned DBE with a consumer packaged good product.
- Have obtained a national or state active third party DBE certification 90 days prior to shelf trial.
- Have existing retail sales.
- Offer a product thatâs never been carried by Schnucks.
- Meet food safety and insurance requirements for shelf trial.
Apply for Schnucks Springboard Fall 2024 Cohort
Applications are open through May 12, 2024 via the Mid-States website. Weâll reach out to you if youâve been selected to move forward to the next step of the application process.
In Partnership with Mid-States Minority Supplier Development Council
Weâd like to extend a special thanks to our partners at Mid-States Minority Supplier Development Council, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that specializes in developing connections between top corporations and diverse-owned businesses.
Schnucks Springboard FAQs
* Diverse-owned businesses are at least 51% owned, operated, and managed by a US citizen or legal US resident that is a member of one or more of the following groups (Woman, Disabled, Black American, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Native American, Hispanic American, LGBT, US Military Veteran).
** No more than two in-person classes can be missed in order to qualify for the funds.