Grow your business. Feed your community.
Get marketplace education, financial support, and more in this eight-week accelerator for small businesses and nonprofits dedicated to providing their communities with fresh food.
By applying to LadderUp, you agree to the LadderUp Application Terms and Conditions and Shipt Privacy Notice.
Applications are closed for 2025.
Fresh food builds strong communities
In the U.S., over 40 million people (almost 18%) live in food deserts. These are often low-income communities where access to affordable, nutritious food is limited. By leveraging our experience and resources in the tech space, LadderUp works with an array of organizations, from grocery stores to co-ops to farmers markets, to expand fresh-food access to these communities. Because we believe fresh food should be accessible to everyone, regardless of zip code.
Here's what's in store for you
Marketplace education
Work with industry experts to refine your business strategy, level up your digital marketing, and learn how e-commerce and tech are changing grocery and food businesses.
Financial support
Upon completion of the program, you’ll receive a one-time, $5,000 grant.
Mentorship
Learning doesn’t end in the classroom. Get answers to your questions from our industry experts during mentor office hours.
Who’s eligible?
- Fresh-food businesses and nonprofits: grocery stores, food co-ops, CSAs, and farmers market owner
- Must have a farm stand, brick-and-mortar, or mobile market located in a city where Shipt operates
- Participating organizations must be a registered entity, with an active business license, EIN Number, or a 501c3
- Final selections will be made based on the potential for growth, your story, and eligibility
Dates to remember
Application deadline
Our first cohort will include 10 small businesses. Applications are open from February 3 to February 28, 2025.
Notification date
Top applicants will participate in a brief virtual interview, and we'll notify all applicants of their status by March 2025.
Program dates
The eight-week program starts on April 15. Virtual classes will take place Tuesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. CT.
Got questions? You’re not alone.
All sessions, including mentor office hours, will be virtual. Classes will be on Tuesdays between 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. CDT. Shipt will send out a class calendar at the start of the program to all participating companies.
Up to two members of the organization are permitted to participate in the virtual program courses.
Participating organizations must participate in a minimum of 6 of the virtual sessions during the eight-week program.
The expected time commitment is two to three hours a week, including a 90 minute virtual course, mentor office hours, and cohort networking.
A maximum of ten organizations will be accepted into this cohort.
The one-time $5k stipend will be distributed upon successfully completing the program. This stipend does not require equity in the company or repayment.
Eligible program participants are welcome to enter into discussions with Shipt to learn more about what is required to onboard to our marketplace.
No, it is not required to have a website or already sell products online to be eligible.
All applicants will be notified of their status no later than the end of March 2025.
For more information or for questions regarding the program or application, email community@shipt.com