MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. has issued a call to entrepreneurs to apply for a new accelerator program called Target Takeoff. Health- and wellness-related start-ups that have raised less than $3 million and have a scalable business model are eligible to apply through Feb. 28.
“We are looking for change makers with the cultural competence to help communities achieve their wellness goals,” the company said. “You should be passionate about bringing wellness to your market, understand why your market isn’t currently being served, and flexible in engaging with your market.”
The program will focus on identifying companies that are offering products in categories such as food, baby, beauty, household supplies and athletic wear that “make active and healthy living accessible, affordable and inspirational to your target market,” the company said. Target will send 10 founders of up-and-coming wellness businesses to Minneapolis May 1-5 to network and meet with mentors. Participants will prepare for a Demo Day on July 25 to pitch their product concepts to leaders in retail. Target said there are no guarantees it will sell a participating company’s products in its stores.
“Our goal is to help founders go further, faster by providing a network of mentors, a cohort of peers, and an opportunity to deepen their knowledge and experience,” Target said.
More information and an application link are available at startups.target.com/takeoff.