The Basics of Food Venture Formation + Financing–Spring 2024

Set up your food venture for success!

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NEXT SESSION STARTS March 11th, 2024!
The Basics of Food Venture Formation + Financing

Course Description: You know the statistics––20% of new businesses will fail in the first year. A poor understanding of the legal and financial requirements can doom even the best-intentioned start up. This short-form, self-directed course will cover five practical steps for new and emerging entrepreneurs who want to start a sustainable and scalable food business.

What You Will Do: Grounded by real-world examples of the challenges faced by food business leaders, this course will help you ask the questions you need to consider in the planning phase. You will identify the stakeholders and examine funding options. You will explore what you need to know to start the right business–and you will make your plan for an effective exit.

How You Will Do It: Participants will learn from recorded lectures delivered by an expert in the field and will work through a series of independent targeted activities. You'll have the opportunity to learn from and share ideas with one another, and participate in occasional live huddle sessions with your dedicated course navigator and occasional guest lecturers with expertise in mentoring start-ups at all levels of engagement.


Your Instructor


Don Buder
Don Buder

Don Buder is a corporate transactional attorney and strategic legal advisor to early stage and middle-market businesses, including a large concentration of privately-held and publicly-traded food and beverage companies. He has significant experience in the areas of venture financing, mergers and acquisitions, distribution agreements, supply agreements, joint venture agreements, and other commercial transactions.


For over three decades Don has tried to provide every client with the three basic services: to find cost-effective solutions to legal and business problems; to offer advice that is direct and practical; and to keep the parties involved in any negotiation focused on their common business objectives. He believes that a lawyer is effective only if he can protect his clients’ interests without frustrating their business judgment. Don holds a BA in history from Princeton University, a MIA from Columbia University, and a JD from UC Berkeley.


Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts March 11th, 2024–with new content being released every week–for five additional weeks. We design our courses with busy people in mind–and encourage you to take the course at a pace that works best for you. The forums will remain available until May 17th, 2024, allowing you ten full weeks to engage with your fellow learners.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own. The forums won't remain active past May 17th, 2024, but you can always access the content!
What will I get at the end of the course?
In addition to the incredible opportunity to learn from subject matter experts–connect with your fellow food system learners–and build your network–you will also receive a certificate of achievement and a badge that you can post to your LinkedIn profile or other social media.

Get started now!