Build, Test, & Grow Your Food Business
Mandela Partners’ Entrepreneur Incubation program supports early- and growth-stage BIPOC food entrepreneurs in turning their ideas into sustainable businesses.
Start with one-on-one coaching to strengthen your foundation, clarify your business model, and build a strong plan. From there, you can test your products through experiential pop-ups, farmers market sales channels, and our incubator kitchen at E14th Eatery + Kitchen.
This program is free of cost and designed for entrepreneurs who are ready to show up, stay committed, and grow!
Tee N' Dee's Homemade Ice Cream. Photo by Foodwise.
How It Works
Our program is designed as a step-by-step pathway. You don’t have to do everything at once — you grow into each stage with support.
01
Start with Coaching
Begin with a one-on-one conversation to clarify your goals, assess where your business stands, and identify your next best steps.
02
Build Your Foundation
Work alongside our team to strengthen pricing, permits and compliance, branding, financial systems, and day-to-day operations, so your business is built to last!
03
Test in Real Markets
When you’re ready, apply what you’ve built by selling through East Bay and San Francisco farmers' markets and other formal sales channels.
04
Grow and Stabilize
Expand your sales channels, refine your systems, and build toward your short- and long-term business goals with continued guidance.
Ready to set clear goals, stay consistent, and grow with accountability? This program could be a strong next step!
Business Pictured at Left: Chef Sarah Germany
Where You’ll Grow Your Business
As you strengthen your foundation through coaching, you may have opportunities to test and grow your business through the following sales channels.
Farmers Market Partnerships
Access local sales opportunities through Foodwise at the San Francisco Ferry Building, Urban Village's Old Oakland Market, and the Agricultural Institute of Marin's Hayward Farmers Market. We help connect entrepreneurs to established markets where they can build customer loyalty, refine pricing strategies, and test consistent revenue streams while growing their business.
Business Pictured Above: Tutuli Mexican Bakery
Oakland Roots &
Soul SC
Through partnerships with Oakland Roots SC and Oakland Soul SC, entrepreneurs in our programs can vend at home games—building visibility, connecting with local fans, and gaining hands-on experience in a fast-paced, high-volume event setting that supports growth, confidence, and community connection for emerging brands.
Business Pictured Above: MangoSay
Mini
Markets
Engage with the community and share free meals through our Mini Market. These pop-up events are an opportunity to share your food with your neighbors. We connect you to local events, provide funding for free meals, and secure permitting. Each event celebrates local businesses while expanding access to free, prepared meals. You bring the amazing food and flavor — we’ll help make it happen!
Business Pictured Above: Yoyo's Botaneria + Annette Miller, Town Nights at Hoover
E14th Eatery +
Kitchen
A shared micro-eatery and commercial kitchen where current and alumni entrepreneurs test new concepts, prep for events throughout the Bay, and learn from one another's experiences. Together, they share knowledge, support one another, and grow in community—empowering entrepreneurs through collaboration.
Businesses Pictured Above: Baby Bean Pie, YOYO Treats
Who We Support
Our Incubation Program is built for early and growth-stage food entrepreneurs in the East Bay — honoring the generations of immigrants, new neighbors, and community members who built Oakland’s food culture through pop-ups, selling plates from their home, or serving family recipes.
Our community is made up of entrepreneurs who put people first and intentionally choose connection over competition. Cooking and feeding people bring joy. They know what it's like to work in the food industry—the beautiful moments and the challenging ones—and use those experiences to lead with empathy and curiosity. They lean on community, whether it's family, friends, mentors, or organizations, knowing that asking for help is part of growing a successful business.
We support both current incubated businesses and alumni entrepreneurs — providing ongoing connections, opportunities, and community as they continue to grow!
Program Calendar
See upcoming dates for Mini Markets, Farmers Market vendors, pop-ups at Roots & Soul games, and coaching orientation dates — find the opportunities that fit your journey. Use the category dropdown to filter events and scroll through the calendar to explore upcoming dates.
EVENT COLOR KEY
Mini Markets
Farmers Market Vendors
Roots & Soul SC Popups
E14th Eatery + Kitchen
Coaching Orientation
Upcoming Events
Start Your Coaching
Coaching is the first step in our Incubation Program. Complete the form, and our team will reach out to schedule your intake conversation. We’ll work with you to clarify your goals and map your next steps!