Cureate Courses Alumni
Virginia
Cureate, in partnership with the City of Norfolk (cohorts 7-10) and the Virginia Small Business Development Center (cohorts 1-6)facilitated our unique, food-based entrepreneurship program designed for packaged consumer goods and hospitality businesses. Drawing from our extensive experience leading technical assistance programs, we provided these businesses with knowledge and tools ranging from developing sales and marketing plans to product validation and logistics. Our structured program, combining classroom learning and one-on-one technical assistance sessions, ensures businesses receive a holistic training experience.
09-VA // 2025
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E. Palmer Supermarket
Michael & Esron Palmer
Norfolk, VA -
Avocargo
Shauntel Davis
Norfolk, VA -
Rich Port Coffee
Mia Mihalyd Diaz
Norfolk, VA -
Deliciously Divine
Shante Gladney
Norfolk, VA -
Mockingbird Pasta Bar
Christopher Griffin
Norfolk, VA -
D’Egg Diner
Maria Razdykov
Norfolk, VA -
Mudita Cafe
Kate Bianchi
Norfolk, VA -
O's Donuts
Alexandra Amory Lee
Norfolk, VA -
Rolled Up
William Cantos
Norfolk, VA -
Salsa Libre Taco Truck
Elizabeth De Jesus
Norfolk, VA -
Tailored Chef Inc.
Lin Gorji Old
Norfolk, VA -
Stuff’D
Darryl Davis & Keith Henderson
Norfolk, VA -
El Taquito
Sandra Ramirez Camacho
Norfolk, VA
08-VA // 2024
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Get Lit Entertainment
Alexis Sydneigh Lillard
Norfolk, VA -
Sapphire'z Creationz
Towanda Bolton
Norfolk, VA
$7,500 Incentive Grant Awarded
by City of Norfolk -
Road Dogs
T'Neisha Ames
Norfolk, VA -
Chanel Cafe and Catering
Laverne Warren
Norfolk, VA -
The Bite
Reco D. Parker
Norfolk, VA -
Sweet T's Golden Creations
Tonya Longmire
Norfolk, VA -
Codex
Ian Hock
Norfolk, VA -
Be a J Juice Bar
Robert Daley
Norfolk, VA
07-VA // 2024
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Amale Tre Focacceria
Nicole Chicerchia Pianezze
Norfolk, VA -
Forkin’ to Fitness
Levy Walston
Norfolk, VA -
Options Eatery
Roszina Whaley
Norfolk, VA -
Zions Kuisine
Ishayah Cedric Josephine
Norfolk, VA -
Ordinaire
Khalilah "KB" Shabazz
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Lola's Beach Cantina
Alex Hernandez
Norfolk, VA -
The General Public
Sabrina Hood
Newport News, VA -
My Commissary Kitchen
Andrew Knezovich
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Peoples Kitchen
Hamilton Peoples
04-VA // 2021
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Springcity Bee Farm
Peter Hicks
Cleveland, VA -
Simply Vanilla Gourmet Cheesecakes
Jessica Kercher
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Bristol Gardens and Grill
Matt Shy
Bristol, VA -
Your Grate Escape
Clint Neel
North Tazewell, VA -
Blue Hills Natural Foods Market
Dirk Moore
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Know Better Coffee
Tia & Daniel Thomas
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The Happy Goat
Vince D’Amato
Tazewell, VA
03-VA // 2021
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Empty Bowl Queso
Jeff Fugate
Leesburg, VA -
Inner Loop Coffee Roaster
Gregory Piferi
Falls Church, VA -
Boso Kitchen
Jeannette Essimi-Menye
Burke, VA -
Dano's Granola
Dania Abimourched
Chantilly, VA -
Sugarcoated Bakery
Amalea Hijar
Alexandria, VA -
Mrs. Jo's Petite Eats Patisserie & Cafe
Erinn Roth
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Dawn & Dusk
Amanda Chapman
Alexandria, VA -
River Sea Chocolates
Mariano D’Aguiar
Chantilly, VA -
Kingdom Gourmet
Esther Riverson
Lorton, VA
02-VA // 2021
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J.T. Copper Flavors
Theda Anderson
Floyd, VA -
The Cotton Candy Lab
Jason Rony
Forest, VA -
The Pie Shoppe
Virginia Barkett
Fincastle, VA -
Mrs. Joy’s Absolutely Fabulous Treats
Tarsha Joyner
Lynchburg, VA -
Alberta General Store
Cheryl Johnson
Alberta, VA -
Mr. Cupid's BBQ
Bernet U. Revely III
Lynchburg, VA -
Kat The Farmer
Kat Johnson
Check, VA -
Scratch Pasta
Stephanie Fees
Lynchburg, VA -
Catbird
Bridget Meagher
Charlottesville, VA
01-VA // 2021
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PrePOPsterous
Tisha McCoy-Ntiamoah
Bridgewater, VA -
Pachamama Peru
Julio Quispe
Earlysville, VA -
Jon Henry General Store
Jon Henry
New Market, VA -
LG'S Elixir
Lesly Gourdet
Charlottesville, VA -
l'etoile Catering
Vickie & Mark Gresge
Crozet, VA -
Peg's Salt
Cass Cannon
Staunton, VA -
Nona's Italian Cucina
Yvonne Cunningham
Charlottesville, VA -
Red Root & Co
Corey MacDonald
Harrisonburg, VA -
Roadmap Coffee
Jack Scholl
Lexington, VA
Are You Ready for Cureate Courses?
Cureate Courses is for food and farm entrepreneurs looking to diversify their revenue streams and grow into new sales channels. Are you a farmer looking to develop value-add products or grow into wholesale? Or perhaps you’re a caterer, restaurateur or food truck owner who is looking to diversify their revenue streams? You are a food and/or farm entrepreneur, in our local food supply chain, who has been building a business — and now you’re ready to take it to the next level. We have a focus on supporting underrepresented founders, which includes women and BIPOC-owned businesses.
Classes will meet once per week starting the week of January 29, 2024 for 1.5 hours virtually from February-April. We will have an end of program event in April where we will pair the two cohorts together (farmer, caterer) to have a big community food event. At this event, one participant from each cohort will walk away with a $5,000 cash prize.
Applications are now closed. However, you can apply to be notified at a future date.
City of Norfolk partners with Cureate Courses
Economic inclusion is a cornerstone of the City of Norfolk’s efforts. Envisioning a city where race, zip code, and socioeconomic status no longer predict opportunities, outcomes, and how resources are distributed, they saw a need for increased access to peer learning networks and expert technical support to design and implement impactful economic inclusion initiatives for small businesses.
In partnership with the City of Norfolk Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Cureate facilitated an eight-week intensive food business training for existing food entrepreneurs seeking to scale their operations and engage in city contracting. Participants who successfully complete the program — which includes requirements like establishing a business website with menu offerings and obtaining SWAM certification — become eligible for an additional food business grant. Both the training and grant provide critical technical and financial support to help entrepreneurs grow and thrive.
SBDC Virginia partners with Cureate Courses
The Virginia State Business Development Center (VASBDC) was looking to reach more small business owners in their backyard to provide wrap-around technical support and capacity building. VASBDC partnered with Cureate to facilitate and run 6 cohorts of Cureate Courses throughout the state of Virginia, targeting underserved entrepreneurs such as women, people of color, and rural communities, building a pipeline through unique and innovative programming and establishing more lead generation opportunities into the Centers.