Santander opens applications for free Cultivate Small Business Program » Dallas Innovates

Santander Bank’s Cultivate Small Business program is a free cohort for early stage food businesses.

Santander announced that applications are open for Cohort 8 of its Cultivate Small Business program for small food businesses in Dallas, Philadelphia and Miami.

Santander said the program is “like a mini-MBA for food companies” and is fully funded by Santander Bank. For Cohort 8, the program is virtual and open to small food-related businesses in Dallas, Philadelphia and Miami. The application deadline is 15 June.

The 12-week, fully virtual program is free for entrepreneurs and provides them with industry-specific training, networking and mentoring, as well as the opportunity to apply for capital grants. Santander aims to connect early-stage entrepreneurs with key ingredients needed to succeed in the food industry, including foodservice-related business management skills, technical assistance and access to a local network of established food industry experts.

“Entrepreneurs play a vital role in creating jobs and strengthening the communities in which they do business,” Patrick Smith, head of consumer and business banking at Santander, said earlier. “We are proud that, together with our program partners, we can help entrepreneurs and small business owners who traditionally lack the resources needed to grow their businesses with the skills and guidance to build their businesses and take them to the next level.”

Dallas area partner Dallas College is here to help

According to Cristin Thomas of Dallas College, it is an innovative program from Santander designed for food entrepreneurs. Thomas, who is the district executive director of small business and entrepreneurial innovation at the college, says Santander’s Cultivate Small Business signature philanthropic program is designed to support the growth of early-stage women-owned, BIPOC and immigrant-owned food businesses in new neighborhoods.

Dallas locals with questions about the program can contact Dallas Collegesays Thomas.

Other partners include Babson College, ICIC, CommonWealth Kitchen, Temple University’s SBDC and America’s SBDC of Florida at FUI.

Eligibility and learn more

Program participants should represent a company that meets the following criteria:

• Entrants must reside in or represent a business located in a low- to moderate-income urban area of ​​Dallas-Fort Worth.
• Gross/net income of $25,000 to $1,000,000 in the most recent full calendar year.
• Minimum one year in operation per March 1.
• Between one and 10 full-time employees
• Food-related industries, including processing, technology, manufacturing and food service

Two information meetings will be held (May 16 and June 7), where participants will:

• Learn about the structure and timing of the program
• Hear from a program alumnus about their experience
• Share details about the qualifications and application process
• Questions and answers

To apply for the program, go here. To register for one of the two information sessions, go here.

Santander Consumer USA is a Dallas-based consumer finance company affiliated with Santander Bank. It focuses on car finance and unsecured loans.

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