Are you looking to increase sales and the scope of your business, but don’t have all of the tools or know-how to do so? Are you interested in obtaining financing to expand your products and markets, but aren’t sure where to begin?
The PVGrows Investment Fund offers more than just financing for Pioneer Valley farm and food entrepreneurs. We also offer the low- and no-cost business assistance necessary to help you succeed. We can connect you to services that are tailored to fit the size and scope of your business needs. Thanks to the farm and food expertise from our partners, we can assist you in tackling business issues such as marketing your product, sourcing locally, drafting a loan-ready business plan, and much more.
We offer a wide range of assistance and services:
- Technical Assistance
Our partners offer one-on-one technical assistance and classes from growing your single farm to sourcing locally. Our partners have a wealth of experience in the farm and food arena that can help you grow your business. They include The Carrot Project, Common Capital, Equity Trust, CISA, Franklin County CDC, New England Small Farm Institute, The Cooperative Fund of New England and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.
PVGrows has also partnered with the Fair Food Network to provide more extensive assistance up to $10,000 in value to Pioneer Valley farm and food enterprises who qualify. Businesses are generally required to match 20 percent of the cost of the consulting services received. To be eligible, your business must be engaged in the aggregation, storage, distribution, processing, marketing, information technology, or other means of supporting farm viability in the Northeast.
(Note: Business assistance is available only to enterprises that are applying for financing from the PVGrows Investment Fund.)
- Referrals
We can connect you to consultants and advisors to assist you with accounting, marketing, communications and other business needs.
- Investors
We can help you determine whether equity investment or loans from private investors could be an appropriate part of your financing package. Through Slow Money Pioneer Valley, we can connect you to potential investors.