Join the Food
Business Bootcamp

• Complete the online applicationwith details about your product, business goals, and current stage

• Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and founders will be notified within 7–10 days. All applicants will receive a final decision by January 16th.

• Our team reviews your submission and invites selected applicants to a short interview

• Accepted founders will have 7 days to secure their spot by signing the terms and conditions and either paying-in-full or submitting the first installment.

• Kickoff — February 4: Mindset, Assessment, Orientation

• Week 1 — February 4–11: Market Research & Target Audience

• Week 2 — February 12–18: Marketing & Brand Development

• Week 3 — February 19–25: Recipe Concepts & Scaling Fundamentals

• Week 4 — February 26–March 1: Recipe Refinement & Troubleshooting

• Week 5 — March 2–8: Pricing Strategy & Product Photography

• Week 6 — March 9–15: Cost Analysis & Production Cost Tracking

• Week 7 — March 16–22: Quality Systems & Operations Design

• Week 8 — March 23–29: Business Planning & Launch Strategy

• Demo Day — April 7th: Presentations, Product Sampling, Graduation

Program Overview
What is Hudson Kitchen and where is it located?
Hudson Kitchen is a shared commercial kitchen, incubator, and community for emerging food and beverage brands. We’re located at Kearny Point in Kearny, New Jersey.

Eligibility
What types of companies are you looking for?
We welcome early-stage food startups ready to take their concepts from prototype to market. There is no revenue requirement. We look for founders who are committed, coachable, and prepared to participate fully in the program.

What are the requirements to participate?

• Completed initial recipe and product concept

• Registered business entity with certificate of formation

• Food Safety Manager Certification for the founder or lead operator

• Food Handlers Certification for additional team members involved in production

Program Outcomes
What will my company gain from the program?
You’ll develop the core foundations every successful food business needs. This includes clarifying your brand, refining your recipe, learning safe and efficient production practices, understanding your true costs, building a pricing strategy, and creating a path toward consistent operations. You’ll also learn how to position your product for future wholesale and retail opportunities. At Demo Day, you’ll share your progress with a room of buyers, distributors, and industry leaders.

Are there additional perks?
Participants receive:

• A special Hudson Kitchen membership rate for six months after the program

• The opportunity to join Hudson Kitchen’s exhibitor group at the Summer Fancy Food Show

• Access to Hudson Kitchen’s packaging, production, and business-development partners

Program Structure
What is the cohort size?
Up to 10 companies will be selected. Each company may include up to three team members, and solo founders are welcome.

What is the curriculum?
The curriculum is a hands-on, practitioner-led journey through the core building blocks of a successful food business. Participants will work directly on their own product and business each week, guided step by step by industry experts. This includes time in the kitchen producing and refining their product, applying scaling techniques, and practicing safe, efficient production methods. Topics include market research, brand strategy, recipe development and scaling, operations and SOPs, food safety practices, packaging, pricing and cost analysis, financial modeling, and wholesale readiness.

What is the time commitment?

• The program runs eight weeks, from February 4 to April 7, 2026.

• Kickoff: Wednesday, February 4

• Weekly virtual workshops: Wednesdays, 7–9 PM

• Weekly in-person workshops: Saturdays beginning at 10 AM–4 PM

• Demo Day: Tuesday, April 7

Product & Production Requirements

Do I have to produce my product onsite during the program?
Yes. This program is designed for founders who will research, test, and refine their products directly in the Hudson Kitchen facility. You will spend scheduled kitchen days producing your product, practicing safe and efficient methods, and applying scaling techniques under expert guidance.

What if I don’t have a final recipe yet?
You do not need a finished recipe to join the program—just an initial concept or prototype. Throughout the program, you will work in the kitchen to refine your recipe, improve consistency, and move it closer to a production-ready formula.

Can I participate if I plan to use a co-packer immediately? This program is best suited for founders who plan to develop and test their product in our shared kitchen environment throughout the program. If you plan to move directly to a co-packer without R&D in the Hudson Kitchen facility, the program may not be the right fit. Priority is given to founders who intend to use the kitchen to refine and validate their product before transitioning to a commercial kitchen or co-packer.

Are meat or poultry products allowed?
Products containing meat or poultry may have additional regulatory requirements. Acceptance depends on compliance with USDA and local health department guidelines. We will review eligibility application review.

Costs & Additional Expenses
What is the investment to participate?
The program cost is $4,995. We do not take equity—this is a tuition-based program designed to help founders build the core foundations of their business while maintaining full ownership. Payment plans are available for those who want to divide the tuition into installments, and accepted participants will receive details on the available options. Tuition includes all workshops, expert instruction, kitchen production days, and Demo Day participation.

Do you offer grants or scholarships for the Bootcamp?
We do not offer grants or scholarships for the Bootcamp. All participants are responsible for their own tuition, and payment plan options are available for accepted founders.

Are there any additional costs I should be aware of?
Yes. Participants must provide their own ingredients for all kitchen production days. Tuition does not cover the cost of required certifications—Food Safety Manager Certification and Food Handlers Certification—or business registration fees. Participants may also choose to purchase additional one-on-one consulting with program experts outside of the scheduled curriculum. These optional sessions are billed directly by the consultant.

What is the application deadline?
Applications are due January 9 at 11:59 PM.

Partnerships & Media
How do I become a sponsor or partner?
Reach out to Elizabeth Alvarez at elizabeth@thehudsonkitchen.com to explore partnership and sponsorship opportunities. She can share available packages and upcoming event opportunities.

Where should I direct interview requests or press inquiries?
Please send all media and interview requests to our media team at hi@teamjavier.com, and they will route inquiries to the appropriate team member.

Pay in Full: $4,995 due immediately upon acceptance

2 Payments:
• First payment of $2,500 due immediately upon acceptance
• Second payment of $2,500 due no later than January 23rd

Join us for a live info session and get a clear, founder-led look at what the Winter ’26 Food Business Bootcamp Startup Accelerator is all about. If you’re curious about how the 8-week program works — or whether it’s the right next step for your business — this session is the easiest way to find out.