Mintel announced its strategic partnership with The Hatchery Chicago, a non-profit food and beverage incubator that enables local entrepreneurs to build and grow successful businesses.
Through this partnership, Mintel will bring its industry-leading consumer and market research, product innovation analysis, and competitive marketing intelligence to The Hatchery's entrepreneurs, empowering them with actionable insights and a deep understanding of consumers to help remove barriers to entry and drive their future business growth.
"We are thrilled to join forces with The Hatchery Chicago to support the next generation of food and beverage innovators," said President of Mintel Americas, Ben Dietz.
This partnership allows Mintel's expert Analysts and Thought Leaders to share industry knowledge and expertise and to support these incredible entrepreneurs at a pivotal time when informed decision-making is essential to their future success.
Not only is Mintel committed to fueling the inspiration, innovation, and growth behind these entrepreneurs' next great idea, but its learning about their processes and opportunities and using that to inform the insights and analysis that drive better client decision-making.
The Hatchery member Hoppy Plant Foods, a sustainable-food platform utilising acheta protein for better snacks, took their business from "an idea in a home kitchen" to hundreds of retail stores with the help of Mintel.
"The Hatchery and Mintel partnership has been critical to the growth of my business," said Hoppy Planet Foods owner Matt Beck.
"We use Mintel Reports to understand better our target consumers and what differentiates us in the market, as well as to articulate our scope and scale to potential investors and partners."
Beck continued that Mintel was not only the starting point for the business planning, but the expert recommendations gave Hoppy Planet Foods clarity on where to go next.
Mintel's Global Diversity Manager, Adiat Baker, shared her enthusiasm for the partnership, stating that Mintel's partnership with The Hatchery Chicago was a unique and exciting opportunity to fulfil the organisation's purpose: to help people and businesses grow.
"Nestled about five miles west of our Chicago office, The Hatchery has created a haven for entrepreneurs, providing them with the support and resources they need to succeed," said Baker.
The partnership ensures that Mintel continues to deliver best-in-class insights and recommendations to the next generation of food and drink disruptors while assisting in nurturing the economic development of communities that need it most.
"We are incredibly grateful to the Mintel team for supporting our mission and efforts to reduce barriers for entrepreneurs looking to launch and grow successful businesses," said Natalie Shmulik, Chief Strategy and Incubation Officer for ICNC/The Hatchery Chicago.
Shmulik said that most startups cannot afford to access essential consumer insights to determine the viability of their business.
"Mintel's generosity of resources and expertise allows us to level the playing field and create more inclusive opportunities for entrepreneurs."
