Applications are open now: The Alchemist Microenterprise Academy (AMA) is a 12-week business training course designed to cover the fundamentals of starting and growing a food business for entrepreneurs in the greater Sacramento region, particularly those who are from low-income backgrounds or under-resourced communities. AMA covers important topics such as business financing, permitting, marketing, developing a business plan, and so much more.

The Spring 2024 cohort will run from Feb 27 to May 15, and will be held mostly on Zoom with loads of opportunity to ask questions and engage with a dynamic community of like-minded entrepreneurs, staff, and expert guest speakers. Completing AMA is the prerequisite to apply for the Alchemist Kitchen Incubator Program (AKIP) where qualifying food businesses receive up to five years of one-on-one mentorship. Since AKIP began three years ago, it has grown to 24 businesses whose products can be found in 20 area stores, 6 different farmers markets, and with partnerships in cafes, restaurants, sporting events, and festivals that stretch well beyond the 916 area code.

If you are interested, register to attend an info session live-on-Zoom every Wednesday from 6-7pm through January 31st, or watch the info session in a recorded, on-demand format. These Information Sessions will provide more information about the program and application. It is mandatory to attend or watch an information session in order to apply for the program. Prospective applicants can RSVP for one of the live-on-Zoom AMA Information Sessions or sign up for the on-demand Information Session at: https://alchemistcdc.org/ama/

Don’t delay, the last day to apply is February 4th!