Target welcomes new class to tech mentoring program
Target is kicking off the third round of its Target + Techstars retail accelerator program.
Ten new retail startups have made their way to Target’s Minneapolis headquarters for the discounter’s 13-week mentorship and training program. This year’s class represents a broad mix of companies, from teams looking to eliminate food waste to developing AI communication platforms.
During the mentorship, partners will focus on how to bring an idea or product to market, and meet relevant sales goals. While on site, the start-ups will have access to more than 100 mentors — 50 of whom are Target team members, including company chairman and CEO Brian Cornell and chief strategy and innovation officer Minsok Pak.
Partners will provide feedback, answer questions, and offer advice to foster the startups' growth and development.
The mentorship concludes with a Demo Day on October 10, an event where the startups will pitch their ideas, kick off fundraising efforts and start meeting potential investors.
Over the past two years, the program has created partnerships between nearly half of the former Target + Techstars companies and the discounter, according to “A Bullseye View,” a blog on Target’s website.
“Target + Techstars, Target Takeoff, and our India-based accelerator in Bangalore are all part of a broader accelerator capability at Target,” the blog reported. “During the last few years, these programs have been a source of fresh thinking from startups that are developing new retail innovations and exciting products for our guests.”
To learn more about the specific start-ups, click here.
Ten new retail startups have made their way to Target’s Minneapolis headquarters for the discounter’s 13-week mentorship and training program. This year’s class represents a broad mix of companies, from teams looking to eliminate food waste to developing AI communication platforms.
During the mentorship, partners will focus on how to bring an idea or product to market, and meet relevant sales goals. While on site, the start-ups will have access to more than 100 mentors — 50 of whom are Target team members, including company chairman and CEO Brian Cornell and chief strategy and innovation officer Minsok Pak.
Partners will provide feedback, answer questions, and offer advice to foster the startups' growth and development.
The mentorship concludes with a Demo Day on October 10, an event where the startups will pitch their ideas, kick off fundraising efforts and start meeting potential investors.
Over the past two years, the program has created partnerships between nearly half of the former Target + Techstars companies and the discounter, according to “A Bullseye View,” a blog on Target’s website.
“Target + Techstars, Target Takeoff, and our India-based accelerator in Bangalore are all part of a broader accelerator capability at Target,” the blog reported. “During the last few years, these programs have been a source of fresh thinking from startups that are developing new retail innovations and exciting products for our guests.”
To learn more about the specific start-ups, click here.