The program:

Week 1: Food Business Fundamentals.

Understanding the market. Legal and regulatory requirements. Food trends and the competitive landscape. Developing your business plan.

Week 2: Financial Management, Operations and Production.
Understanding food safety regulations and certifications. Licensing and permits required for food businesses. Intellectual property protection for recipes, branding, and trademarks. Budgeting and financial forecasting. Pricing strategies and cost analysis. Funding options for food startups (e.g., loans, grants, investors). Setting up a commercial kitchen or production facility. Supply chain management and sourcing ingredients. Inventory management and quality control.
Week 3: Marketing & Branding.
Brand identity and storytelling. Creating a marketing plan. Leveraging social media and digital marketing channels. Sales strategies for different channels (e.g., retail, wholesale, online). Building relationships with distributors and retailers. Direct-to-consumer sales tactics (e.g., farmers markets, food festivals). Customer Experience and Feedback.
Week 4: Scaling and Growth.
Strategies for scaling your food business sustainably. Expanding product lines or diversifying offerings. Hiring and managing employees as you grow.

What to expect:

Our weekly meetings takes place on Thursday afternoons from 2pm to 3pm AEST online via Zoom. If you are unable to attend you will be sent a recording of the presentation.

Format:

• Presentations by subject matter experts
• Discussion and Q&A
• Accountability and goal setting for the next week.
• 1 x 60-minute one-on-one mentoring session to support you as your business grows.
• Access to resources to support your journey.

Cost:

$1,500 + GST for the 4 week program.

How to apply:

We accept applications throughout the year. The application process involves an informal discussion with one of our business advisers to determine whether the program is a good fit for you. Please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to register your interest.

About Us:

Food Founders is run by Lighthouse, a trusted business advisory organisation established in 2008 to strengthen Canberra's entrepreneurial community. Since becoming fully independent in 2014, Lighthouse has supported over 800 businesses a year across Australia, providing expert mentoring and advisory services across all industries.

Through Food Founders, we bring this experience to early-stage food entrepreneurs, offering tailored guidance, peer group support, and access to trusted industry networks. From compliance and production to marketing and distribution, our mission is to give food businesses the knowledge, tools, and confidence to grow and succeed.