Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) Cohort

Turn your idea into a thriving CPG business.
Are you interested in starting a Consumer Packaged Goods business but don’t know where to start? This 6-week hands-on program, designed for Columbus-based entrepreneurs, is built for makers like you—giving you the tools, knowledge, and confidence to move from recipe to revenue.
​
Whether you’re perfecting your first product or preparing to sell to customers, the CPG Cohort will help you lay a strong foundation and avoid common pitfalls. By the end, you’ll have clarity on your market, your pricing, and your path to growth.
​
What You’ll Gain
-
Practical tools for business planning, food costing, and accounting basics
-
Hands-on guidance in product development and branding
-
Expert feedback through live product demonstrations
-
A clear roadmap for making your first sale—and beyond
​​
Program Schedule
Thursdays | 6–8 PM | ECDI Main Office, 1655 Old Leonard Ave.
-
Week 1 (10/2): Ownership Mindset & Business Planning
-
Week 2 (10/9): Successful Product Development
-
Week 3 (10/16): Branding & The Art of the Sale
-
Week 4 (10/23): Food Costing & Valuing Your Time
-
Week 5 (10/30): Accounting Basics
-
Week 6 (11/13): Product Demonstrations & Feedback
(Break on 11/6)
​​​​
Cohort Details
-
Program Dates:
-
​October 2 – November 13 (Thursdays, 6–8 PM)
-
-
Location:
-
​ECDI Main Office, 1655 Old Leonard Avenue, Columbus
-
-
Application Deadline:
-
​Friday, September 26
-
-
Eligibility:
-
​Columbus-based food businesses
-
​
Ready to Start Your CPG Journey?
This cohort is more than just education. It’s about joining a supportive community of food entrepreneurs who are turning their ideas into businesses.
​
There are only 8 spots available. Apply today to secure your place in this exciting opportunity!​​
Have questions? Contact our Food Incubator Manager at CSteinker-Brown@ecdi.org.​
.png)
Amanda Shepard
Shepard Baking Co
"It is nice to be able to get business advice when I need it and be a part of a large community of small business owners who are navigating similar issues as me.
.png)
Jack Moore
Black Cap Hot Sauce
“The CPG Cohort was an amazing opportunity to learn from experts and other entrepreneurs. There were brands in various stages of their journeys and I love the fact that we got to learn from both the course and from each other.

Lucia Herrera
Underworld Feast
“Everyone at ECDI has been super helpful. We send a quick text, and we can get an answer to any question we have. They’ve really helped us scale up.
This program is made possible through the support of:


