Helps Wisconsin women entrepreneurs increase their ability to confidently unlock capital and grow their food and farm businesses
Applications are due by Oct. 8, 2025.
Participants say…
“FFI was so incredibly helpful to me during the planning stage of my entrepreneurial journey. With their guidance, I was able to see detailed financial projections and ultimately secure funding to purchase my business!”
— Mary Florer, Over the Moon Cheese
What is the Capital Readiness Program?
In the Capital Readiness Program, Wisconsin women entrepreneurs work with experts to optimize their business model and financial strategy to access needed capital. FFI experts work with participants starting or growing a food brand or farm business. This program is FREE and includes businesses in Wisconsin.
This FREE program has 10 weeks of live content, kicking off with FFI’s Financial Foundations toolkit and ending with an investor pitch, with lots of relevant peer group discussion along the way. You’ll have the opportunity for 1-on-1 sessions with your coach on all key areas of your business:
- Creating an investible business model
- Financial foundations, including basic accounting principles and creating financial documents and reports
- Sales channels, cost of goods, and product pricing
- Branding and marketing
- Different types of capital and when to use them
- Creating a financial package and pitch deck for potential lenders and investors
Program Overview
All participants receive free:
- 1-on-1 coaching with FFI expert consultants
- Weekly live, virtual presentations on relevant topics and lively peer group discussions
- End-of-program closing pitch event with peer and professional feedback
- Full access to Food Finance Learning Center offerings, including our Deep Dive (on-demand) courses
This program is funded through a Minority Business Development Agency grant awarded to the Office and Business & Entrepreneurship. Through this award, FFI, SBDC, CTC, and the Office of Business & Entrepreneurship are supporting Wisconsin women through cohort-based programming and online curriculum development through 2027. Read more about the program here.
Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Email us or call 608-263-7794.