NCFIL Entrepreneur Bootcamp
About this Event
Join the NCFIL Entrepreneur Bootcamp on November 4-5, for an intensive, two-day program designed to fast-track the commercialization of your food or beverage product. Held at the NC Food Innovation Lab (NCFIL), this hands-on experience equips you with the essential knowledge, best practices and industry network to successfully move from concept to market. Don't miss this opportunity to bridge the gap between innovation and commercial success!
The Bootcamp is focused on providing actionable insights and best practices from industry experts. Key topics covered include:
- Mastering Formulation: Best practices for creating commercial formulas, optimizing processes and effectively working with co-manufacturers.
- Smart Sourcing & Pricing: Strategies for effective ingredient sourcing and pricing to maintain quality and profitability.
- Food Safety & Compliance: Best practices for food safety protocols, how to avoid food safety issues in your product design and key considerations for shelf-life testing.
- Scaling & Growth: Essential guidance on how to smoothly and efficiently scale-up as you grow your business.
- Strategic Thinking: How to ask better questions and leverage consumer trends to position your product for success.
Budding entrepreneurs graduate from the Bootcamp well-prepared to pursue the next steps in their journey, equipped with the knowledge to utilize North Carolina’s extensive resources for business mentorship, formal programs and peer-to-peer communities.
This is a must-attend event for any entrepreneur serious about bringing a successful food or beverage product to market.
Register soon — space is limited. Once capacity is reached, a waitlist will open. Registration closes October 26, 2026.
Contact [email protected] with questions.
Find parking information and accommodation options in the NCFIL Visitor's Guide.
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The NCFIL Entrepreneur Bootcamp is sponsored by the Walters Family Foundation. The Walters Family Foundation seeks to strengthen communities through conserving the natural environment, celebrating arts and culture, advancing economic vitality and empowering individuals to reach their full potential through innovative learning initiatives.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, NC State University will honor requests for reasonable accommodations made by individuals with disabilities. Please direct accommodation requests to: Dede Beaver, , or 704-250-5497. Requests can be served more effectively if notice is provided at least 10 days before the event.
NC State University is an equal opportunity institution and prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color or national origin, including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics; sex, including sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy or related conditions; age; disability; genetic information; religion; veteran’s status or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Tuesday, March 31
🕑: 08:30 AM
Registration Opens
🕑: 09:00 AM
Welcome and Introductions
🕑: 09:30 AM
Entrepreneur 2-minute Presentations
🕑: 11:15 AM
Keynote Speaker
🕑: 12:00 PM
Lunch with Work Groups + Guided Discussion
🕑: 01:00 PM
NCFIL Tour
🕑: 03:30 PM
Best Practices for Food Safety Protocols
🕑: 04:30 PM
How to Avoid Food Safety Issues in Your Product Design
🕑: 05:30 PM
Dinner + How to Scale Up Smoothly
🕑: 07:00 PM
Networking (Optional)
Wednesday, April 1
🕑: 08:00 AM
Breakfast
🕑: 08:30 AM
Keynote - Food Formulations and Ingredients
🕑: 10:45 AM
Working with Co-Manufacturers 101
🕑: 12:00 PM
Lunch + Group Discussion
🕑: 12:45 PM
Business Resources Panel Discussion
🕑: 01:30 PM
Creating Adjacent Products through Product Development
🕑: 03:00 PM
Guided Small Group Discussions for Next Steps
🕑: 05:00 PM
Wrap Up
Where is it happening?
USD 100.00 to USD 200.00
