An immersive program that provides exclusive access to talented mentors and leaders across Target to help you and your business grow. You’ll walk away with skills in negotiations, branding, pitching and more, as well as a network of like-minded entrepreneurs and mentors.
Participants will be selected following the finalist interview event on Feb. 6–7. Travel and accommodations will be covered by Target.
You'll begin your journey with virtual programming to start making connections and access a range of resources right from your HQ. You must be available one hour a week for virtual programming.
Head to Target HQ in Minneapolis to meet and collaborate with the other participants. Think executive mentor meetings, business skill workshops, group activities and fun around town. Participants must be willing and able to relocate to Minneapolis for eight weeks. Your travel and accommodations are on us.
All your hard work leads up to Demo Day, where you'll showcase your final pitches and celebrate what you've learned to propel the future of your business.
Eight businesses (up to two participants per business) will be selected based on the following criteria:
Show you’ve taken steps beyond just ideation (e.g., becoming a corporation or LLC and having proof of traction).
Your business must aim to make the world a better place for people and the planet.
Participants must have majority (51%+) ownership of their business and be at least 18 years of age.
Eight businesses were selected to take part in the 2019 Target Incubator program. And while the participants started at different levels of business readiness, by program’s end, all left ready to take things to the next level.
In 2019, we held a Target Incubator Conference, powered by Next Gen. This three-day event culminated with the Target Incubator Demo Day. Participants attended retail workshops, networked, met mentors and listened to speakers such as Minsok Pak, Target’s Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, and Caroline Wanga, Target’s Chief Culture, Diversity and Inclusion Officer.
What really differentiated this program in particular was the access to subject matter experts and the vast expertise that we were able to connect with.
Get answers to our most commonly asked questions. And a few not-so-common ones as well.
Good question. It’s a structured program designed for early-stage businesses to connect with experts and resources that enable growth. We want to support the next generation of innovators, change-makers and leaders in a way that matters. They see the world differently, and therefore recognize solutions to problems differently. And we already see that they are taking action with new businesses. We designed this program to provide them with a platform to test, learn and ultimately flourish. Target does not own your idea if you are selected to be in the program. Your idea is yours to keep, and we are just here to help you along your growth journey.
We define business as an early-stage venture that provides value to a customer. That value could be a product, service, technology or even a new business model. This does not have to be in exchange for money, such as a nonprofit organization. We also ask that you’ve taken steps to gain traction with your business that make it more than just an idea, even if you have yet to launch. We would like to see that you have an understanding of who your customer is as well as the competitive landscape you are playing in, and that you have established your business as a legal entity.
We recognize there are many amazing entrepreneurs under the age of 18, but unfortunately at this time we are limiting the program to only participants over the age of 18.
Think of products, services, technologies or new business models you use that make life easier or better. These can have a direct impact on everything from how you get your groceries to reducing greenhouse emissions. Ultimately, we are looking for businesses with a purpose.
