RICE announces 2025 cohort for ‘Retail Readiness Academy’ program

The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs RICE an economic progress agency based out of Atlanta publicized the latest cohort of its Retail Readiness Academy RRA initiative RRA is a seven-month plan designed to help Black-owned product-based businesses succeed in the competitive retail industry Running from July through December the initiative provides participants with a small business grant as well as access to an sole curriculum mentorship from retail experts and review opportunities with various retailers According to RICE this year s cohort consists of entrepreneurs from a wide-range of industries including fitness and beauty food and beverage home goods wearable tech and toys to name a scarce RRA is a strategic launchpad reported Terri-Nichelle Bradley faculty lead of RRA and founder of Brown Toy Box We re helping founders go from product to shelf with confidence clarity and real opportunity Since its inception RICE has generated million in stakeholder revenue and awarded million in grant funding for small businesses Additionally the innovation center says that it has helped create over jobs and sports a success rate when it comes to getting entrepreneurs past the startup phase which is nearly ten times higher than the national average according to a release The Russell Center is where big ideas become shelf-ready brands noted Jay Bailey president and chief executive officer of RICE These founders represent the next wave of retail disruptors and we re proud to be part of their journey The post RICE announces cohort for Retail Readiness Academy effort appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta