The listing of corporate logos on this site does not constitute an endorsement by Georgia Tech.
Georgia Tech Food and Beverage Accelerator (GT.FBA)
A Unit of the Enterprise Innovation Institute
Now in main content
The Georgia Tech Food and Beverage Accelerator (GT.FBA) is a transformative initiative designed to propel budding food entrepreneurs from the inception phase in their home kitchens to the coveted shelves of retail stores in six months. This pioneering program will accommodate up to 20 driven founders per cohort.
VISION
The program seeks to be a launchpad for passionate food and beverage creators across Georgia, offering a structured pathway and invaluable resources to convert their visions into marketable realities. By bridging the gap between culinary ingenuity and commercial success, our program aims to cultivate a thriving ecosystem of innovative brands while fostering economic growth across the state.
PROGRAM
Through meticulous mentorship and hands-on assistance, successful participants will be poised and equipped to confidently introduce their products to the market by the culmination of each cohort. The program is designed to be accessible with a nominal fee for participating founders while supplementary funding will be derived from grants and sponsorships to sustain its operations and impact.
STRATEGY
The strategy revolves around the customer discovery methodology, ensuring that product viability precedes the launch phase. Our comprehensive support system covers all crucial aspects, encompassing manufacturing, packaging, sales, distribution, marketing, and financial guidance and fundraising.
The program encapsulates a dynamic spectrum of aspiring entrepreneurs within Georgia’s vibrant food and beverage landscape. The program is tailored for individuals earnestly committed to launching, expanding, or elevating their food-based enterprises. Whether it’s an artisan crafting small-batch preserves or a visionary developing a groundbreaking energy beverage, we welcome creators from all corners of the state.
The program is open to driven founders who harbor a relentless dedication to refining and bringing their consumer-packaged goods (CPGs) to market. Our doors are open to those who exhibit a fervent desire to immerse themselves in a transformative learning experience, committing to a rigorous six-month curriculum.
The program is designed for individuals with a clear vision and a tangible CPGs product poised for market entry, ensuring a cohesive cohort experience focused on tangible goods and fostering a robust entrepreneurial community.
Aubrey Lenyard
Co-Director
A serial entrepreneur who designed and sold custom wedding gowns to Atlanta socialites for 15 years, Aubrey is the founder of AubSauce, a small-batch line of gourmet barbecue sauces in Decatur, Georgia. He has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Food & Wine Magazine, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and National Public Radio.
Brandy Nagel
Co-Director
As an entrepreneurship educator, Brandy helps both new and established businesses identify customer segments, distribution channels, and potential partners to scale their businesses. With a focus on innovation and revenue diversification, she works with business owners large and small to develop new business models. Brandy has been involved in university-based commercialization programs since 2012.
PARTNERS
The following support this program:
If you would like to discuss partnering with GT.FBA to help support Georgia’s emerging food and beverage brands, please contact Aubrey Lenyard: aubrey.gt.fba@innovate.gatech.edu