Introducing the Target Forward Founders Fall 2024 Cohort

Autumn brings to mind new beginnings and a fresh perspective, making it the perfect time to welcome the latest cohort of the Target Forward Founders program. Designed for early-stage consumer packaged goods businesses, Target Forward Founders provides founders comprehensive retail education, dedicated resources and valuable mentorship with industry leaders – absolutely no strings attached. 

The ten distinct brands that make up the newest cohort of Target Forward Founders represent a variety of product categories spanning beauty, food and beverage and pets. Chosen in collaboration with SoLA Foundation in Los Angeles, CA and Our Village United in Atlanta, GA – two of Target’s Community Impact esteemed accelerator program partners – each of these small businesses are led by founders whose fresh perspective and bold ideas make them strategic innovators in their respective fields.  

As for more about what these small business owners will learn during the eight-week Target Forward Founders program? That’d be everything from manufacturing to marketing, with a focus on equipping the cohort with a clear roadmap for scalability and sustainable growth – all while gaining access to curated retail resources and industry connections. 

More on brilliant brands that make up Target Forward Founders Fall 2024 cohort, below.  

Beauty 

On the Edge Baby Hair provides functional and protective styling tools that inspire creativity and embraces black hair rituals. 

Taylor Melrose is a bio-preferred, vegan and cruelty-free lifestyle brand offering skincare, beauty and home products designed for all ages, complexions and genders, with a focus on hydration, sustainability and clean, future-forward formulations.​ 

The Original Unbraider creates tools and hair products that reduce the time of protective style take downs. 

Pets 

Ambeezy’s Organic is an organic dog treat company, providing premium, all-natural dog treats that are locally sourced with limited ingredients, providing high-quality nutrition you can trust and feel good about. 

Clean Coats is a dog grooming line focused on active ingredients and thoughtfully designed pet care. 

Food and Beverage  

Amazake is a manufacturer and importer of Japanese fermented drinks and condiments. 

Convivial Spices provides home chefs fresh, vibrant spices sourced directly from organic family farms within the United States. 

Enjoy Coffee is a Black, women and LGBTQ-owned coffee company that is disrupting the industry by promoting community members to stop grinding and start enjoying their coffee experience.​ 

Feisty Spices is a bold and unapologetic spice brand serving up unique, health-conscious blends with attitude, designed to add a flavorful punch to every dish​. 

Jayida Ché Herbal Tea Spot is a loose-leaf tea company offering over 40 flavorful, organic and fair-trade blends, which is committed to providing wellness-inspired teas that make you feel good from the inside out.​ 

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