What is the Cloud City Food Lab?
The Cloud City Food Lab is a new 14-week food business accelerator built to support emerging and existing food entrepreneurs in Lake County.
Whether you’re running a cottage food business, exploring a food truck, developing packaged products, or cooking for pop-ups and markets, this program will help you take your next step with clarity and confidence.
This pilot program is a collaboration between Lake County Build A Generation’s Food Access Coalition and the Leadville/Lake County Economic Development Corporation (EDC), alongside regional partners committed to strengthening local food systems, expanding small business support, and creating economic opportunity for our community.
Who The Program Is Designed For:
- Cottage food makers
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Food truck/trailer owners
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Pop-up chefs + market vendors
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Bakers, caterers, meal-prep cooks
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Aspiring or early-stage food entrepreneurs
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Anyone developing a food product or idea
You do not need a formal business, a commercial kitchen, or any prior business knowledge to apply. This course will meet you exactly where you are — whether you’re just dreaming up an idea or already selling your food in the community.
If you’re passionate about food and ready to explore what’s possible, this program is for you.
Why Participate?
The Cloud City Food Lab is designed to help Lake County food entrepreneurs grow with confidence – surrounded by support, real resources, and a community that wants to see you succeed.
At its heart, this program is about opportunity – and building a local food economy rooted in community, equity, creativity and of course – tasty food! Together, we’re creating a space where ideas become businesses, businesses become income and livelihoods, and local talent shines.
What you can expect
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A clear, step-by-step roadmap to build or strengthen your food business
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Hands-on workshops led by experienced food and business pros
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Guidance through licensing, permitting, and regulations (we’ll walk you through the confusing parts!)
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Connections to mentors, partners, and potential customers who want to champion your work
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A cohort of fellow local entrepreneurs who are dreaming, building, and growing right alongside you
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Spanish interpretation available to ensure the program is accessible and welcoming for everyone
Ready to Join Us?
We’d love to have you. Applications open on Dec. 18th!
More Food Business Resources Coming Soon!
In addition to the cohort, we’re also building even more tools to support local food entrepreneurs – stay tuned for our Food Business Startup Guide and Resource Directory that will be on this webpage by early January.
Program Timeline
Applications Open
Fill out a short Google Form to tell us about your food idea or business and why you’re interested in joining the cohort. To build a strong and inclusive cohort, we’ll prioritize creating a balanced mix of participants representing diverse food business types and stages.
Cohort Finalized
We’ve received more interest than expected and will be capping the pilot cohort at 15 businesses, so please apply early if you’d like to be considered. Everyone who applies will be notified shortly after the application window closes.
Program Begins
Our first class will begin the week of January 14 and the program will conclude with a community celebration event on approximately April 18th; exact dates and times are being finalized and will be posted here when applications open on Dec. 18th.
Have Questions?
Contact: Sam Block, Program Lead
Leadville/Lake County Economic Development Corporation
info@llcedc.com
We’re so excited to support the next generation of Lake County food entrepreneurs!
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