Built for Entrepreneurs

​The FirstWave Food Incubator (FFI) is a first of its kind program aimed at aiding start-ups in launching new aseptically processed foods with locally sourced ingredients.

FFI is a fully funded 8-month incubation program that will usher companies through the commercialization process for an aseptic product. Participating companies will collaborate with our team of experts at no cost to the company to achieve market readiness.

​Example products include fruit and vegetable purees, soups, sauces, smoothies, juices, beverages, plant-based milks, and baby foods. At the end of the program, participants will have a fully commercializable product formulation as well as finished products ready to sample to investors, retailers and potential consumers.

​The first cohort is currently ongoing. The second of 4 cohorts begins in January 2024. ​
The FirstWave Food Incubator may be a good fit if:
  • You are a small business looking to launch a product in the aseptic food space.
  • You have a concept, recipe, or full formulation for a liquid or puréed food product.
  • You intend to source local ingredients within 400 miles of Raleigh, NC.
  • Your concept can be packaged in 3.2 oz, 4 oz or 8 oz spouted pouches.
  • Your product vision includes sustainability and/or waste reduction.

The FirstWave Food Incubator may not be a good fit if:
  • You have a product concept, but no business plan.
  • You have no intention to scale your business.
  • Your product is solid or meat-containing.
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​The Incubator starts with a training program in the basics of thermal processing and in the key aspects of developing and commercializing aseptic, shelf-stable consumer packaged goods. After that, our R&D team guides each company through the commercialization process through the point of generating sales samples. 

Product Development Process

Benchtop Formulation
Feasibility Trial 
Line Trial

Frequently Asked Questions

How many companies are accepted into FFI?
  • There are 4 cohorts with 3 companies that will be selected per cohort.​
What is the timing?
  • The second application window is September 18-October 20 with the cohort starting in January 2024.
  • Each cohort runs about 8 months.
What are the costs?
  • ​This fully-funded program provides the following support from our team of experts at no cost to the cohort companies:
    • Training on aseptic product commercialization, food safety, and thermal processing
    • Formulation development
    • Feasibility trial
    • Nutrition facts panel creation
    • Line trial to create aseptic samples to be used as sales and marketing tools
    • Raw materials to support the Research and Development efforts
Where will this work take place?
  • ​​The trainings, trials, and R&D work will take place at SinnovaTek's offices in Raleigh, NC and FirstWave's production facility in Middlesex, NC.
What are the selection criteria?
  • Companies will be rated in the following areas and the top companies will be selected:
    • Ability to execute on scale up (business plan, retailer relationships, previous funding, ownership diversity)
    • Regionality (intent to source ingredients within 400 miles, proximity to FirstWave)
    • Strength of product concept (fitness for aseptic processing, stage of development, attention to sustainability)
How many products can I develop through the FFI?
  • Each participating company will develop up to two individual products.
What certifications are offered for products developed through the FFI?
  • Kosher certification can be supported for a fee.
  • Products may be formulated to meet Organic, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free and other certification standards. Due to the accelerated nature of the program, these certifications may be pursued after the close of each cohort. 
What resources will be available to participants after the program concludes?
  • Participants are encouraged to continue manufacturing their products at FirstWave. Line time can be rented on a per-day basis. Our Commercialization team can walk you through the options.