achieve
retail
readiness.

Target Forward Founders is the accelerator program for early-stage CPG companies looking to better understand retail. It’s designed to help historically under-resourced founders be the next wave of wealth-building companies.

2023 applications are now closed.
Don’t miss the application period for next year – subscribe to email alerts now.

2023 Categories:

Baby and Toddler, Beauty, Food and Beverage, Health and Personal Care, Household Essentials, Pets, Toys and Entertainment

Objectives:

Prepare for long-term success on retail shelves by:

Getting guidance from some of the brightest minds in the business
Making powerful connections to industry-disrupting experts, peers and Target team members
Gaining access to leading retail resources

Outcome:

Increased knowledge of retail and familiarity with retail resources
Attend a coaching session with a Target buyer to get valuable feedback for growing your brand
Leave with a Retail Action Plan, a week-by-week guided plan that helps you prepare for retail

key details.

Take a look at the program info to learn what to expect.

programming.

10-week virtual accelerator program
Sessions are scheduled 5 - 8 p.m. CT Tuesday and Wednesday evenings with optional office hours on Thursdays
Includes all products available at Target except apparel and accessories, CDs, DVDs and books
Requires about 10 — 15 hours per week

participation.

30 companies will be accepted per cohort
Up to 2 members of each company can join, 1 must be the founder
During all 10 weeks, at least 1 founder needs to attend all required sessions

financials.

Free to accepted participants
Each company is given a $5,000 stipend

the criteria.

We’re looking for future-shapers of all kinds, but there are a few important things that we want to see from applicants. Final selections will also be made based on team, assortment, innovation pipeline, traction and potential for growth.

A founder must be 18+
Must have an LLC, B-Corp, S-Corp or other registered entity (sole proprietorships are not allowed)
Must currently have a physical product that is available to sell
Cannot be a current or prior vendor with Target
Must be a consumer packaged goods (CPG) company focused on growth and scaling for mass retail
Desire to actively collaborate, support and connect with other founders
Must sell direct-to-consumer (DTC) online, in specialty stores or have limited brick-and-mortar presence (<50 stores)
Ideally have less than six employees
Ideally have lifetime revenue of $5,000 – $500,000
Ideally have limited manufacturing and supply chain capabilities

Note: Meeting all criteria does not guarantee acceptance into a Target Accelerators program. Acceptance does not guarantee business with Target.

Business woman laughing with joy within arrow cut design

curriculum.

Each week you’ll dive deep into relevant retail topics during group working sessions and one-on-one meetings. Learn from experts, get mentorship and receive thoughtful feedback. Attend optional office hours on Thursdays to meet with Founder in Resident mentors, speakers and program managers.

End the program by gaining feedback on your company during a Buyer Coaching Session. Plus, leave with a Retail Action Plan, a custom guided plan on how to prepare your business for retail.

Week

1

Welcome + How to Leverage Founder and Brand Uniqueness

Week

2

Growing Direct to Consumer + Retail 101

Week

3

Leveraging Data for Decisions

Week

4

Go to Market Strategy: Marketing Planning

Week

5

Work
Week

Week

6

Brand Proposition
for Retail

Week

7

Manufacturing
and Supply Chain

Week

8

Talking to
Retailers + Retail
Financials

Week

9

Retail Financials +
Funding for Retail

Week

10

Retail
Resources +
Close Out

application
resources.

Before you apply, check out these helpful resources to make your application stand out.

Application Tips & Tricks: Telling Your Story In Essay Questions

Join Target Accelerators Director Justine Savarin as she shares tips and tricks to answering the essay questions on your application for either Target Takeoff or Target Forward Founders.

Your Guide to Apply

Put your strongest application forward with these tips.

Retail Key Terms

Learn everyday key terms used when it comes to retail.

2023
schedule.

We are no longer accepting applications for Target Forward Founders 2023 cohorts.

Cohort 4: Baby and Toddler, Food and Beverage, Health and Personal Care, Household Essentials, Pets, Toys and Entertainment

Program dates:
April 25, 2023 – June 29, 2023

What products are included:

Baby and Toddler
Bath and Potty, Car Seats, Clothing, Diapers, Gear and Activity, Health and Safety, Nursery, Nursing and Feeding, Shoes, Strollers, Toys, Other

Food and Beverage
Bakery, Beverages, Candy, Dairy, Dry/Pantry, Fresh/Produce, Frozen, Meat, Meat Alternatives, Seafood, Snacks, Other

Health and Personal Care

Vitamins and Supplements, Medicines and Treatments, First Aid, Nutrion and Weight Management, Personal Care, Sexual Health, Feminine Products, Allergy and Sinus, Cough, Cold and Flu, Eye Care, Home Health Care, Incontinence, Foot Care, Ear Care, Genetic and Wellness Tests, Scrubs, Oral Care, Hand Soap and Sanitizers, Deodorant and Antiperspirant, Hair Removal and Shave, Men’s Grooming, Cotton Balls, Pads and Swabs, Other

Household Essentials
Air Fresheners, Cleaning Supplies, Dish Detergents, Food Storage Bags and Containers, Hand Soap and Sanitizers, Insect and Pest Control, Laundry Care, Paper and Plastic Products, Paper Towels, Toilet Paper, Trash Bags, Other

Pets
Beds and Furniture, Food/Treats, Supplies, Technology, Toys, Healthcare/Supplements, Other

Toys and Entertainment

Dolls and Dollhouses, Dress Up and Pretend Play, Kids’ Crafts, Learning Toys, Outdoor Toys, Riding Toys, Scooters and Hoverboards, Baby Toys, Action Figures and Playsets, Building Sets and Blocks, Fidget Toys, STEM Toys, Stuffed Animals, Vehicles and Remote Control, Games, Puzzles, Board Games, Other

Cohort 5: Baby and Toddler, Beauty, Health and Personal Care, Household Essentials, Pets, Toys and Entertainment

Program dates:
October 3, 2023 – December 14, 2023

What products are included:

Baby and Toddler
Bath and Potty, Car Seats, Clothing, Diapers, Gear and Activity, Health and Safety, Nursery, Nursing and Feeding, Shoes, Strollers, Toys, Other

Beauty
Makeup, Skin Care, Nails, Bath and Body, Fragrances, Hair Care, Hair Color, Hair Tools, Hair Accessories, Spa and Massage, Sun Care and Tanning, Tools, Other

Pets
Beds and Furniture, Food/Treats, Supplies, Technology, Toys, Healthcare/Supplements, Other

what alumni
are saying.

Check out game-changing Target Forward Founders alumni.

watch the program reflection.

What I’ve learned during the program is there is no one way to build a successful business but there are specific things that you need to understand and put in place in order to be a strong founder and build a business towards success.

Angela Medlin
House Dogge
Target Forward Founders Alumni

I’m just so overwhelmed and excited and honored to have been a part of this group that got poured into the last eight weeks by industry experts and founders who have been here before. I have learned so much and this has been the best thing that’s ever happened to me or to my brand.

Jasmin Foster
Be Rooted
Target Forward Founders Fellow Alumni

Through Target Forward Founders we met so many awesome and inspirational founders and I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world.

Holly Paul
Mizo Hard Seltzer
Target Forward Founders Alumni