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Nevada City, California, January 10, 2024 – Arno Hesse (Slow Money, Food Funding) is an investor with a background in traditional banking and a stint in the tech industry.
But for the past 20 years, he has continued to pursue his passion, helping people in local food and agriculture align with effective funding streams.
“My professional and personal passion is empowering people and communities with solutions that help them invest in the future they want to live in. It’s about combining cultural change with technological innovation,” said Hesse. said.
Food entrepreneurs who want to learn how to connect with a community of investors serious about supporting their local food economy can take Mr. Hesse’s class when they enroll in Sierra Commons’ new 5-week Food Entrepreneurship Accelerator course can.
This course will run from January 16th to February 15th. Mr. Hesse will teach a class called “Business Models and Financing Opportunities” on Thursday, January 18th.
This class demystifies funding and provides budding food entrepreneurs with the beginner knowledge they need to connect with relevant investors and fund their projects.
“I think most of the people who come to the class are looking to start a new food business, and for that they need to understand financing and what model to pursue,” Hesse said.
Mr. Hesse taught students more about the different “preferences” of investors, the benefits investors can get from being involved in the food business, and what to watch out for to avoid going down the wrong investment path. I hope that students will leave the class with an awareness and understanding of the following.
“It’s going to be a little teaser, but I think it’s going to give people a map to ask their writing questions,” Hesse said.
Mr. Hesse has long worked with the investment community to apply new approaches to the needs of emerging markets through outside-the-box initiatives such as Credibles, Investibule and Slow Money.
Slow money is an alternative to the current financial system that invests in soil fertility, a sense of place, stewardship of the commons, and building an economy based on principles of economic, cultural, and biological diversity. focused.
Hesse also works as an advisor for Food Funded, an organization that connects food entrepreneurs with investors and hosts workshops and educational seminars.
Hesse says investors are as diverse as his customers. What works for big tech companies won’t work for small, locally-owned food companies. This class requires participants to unlearn a little.
“Part of what we cover in class is understanding the differences between investors so that you don’t spend too much of your limited time. It’s important that you don’t spend your time and energy picking on the wrong tree. ” said Hesse.
Mr. Hesse understands that investors’ interests may follow the trends of their clients. While older generations were more concerned about what was in their food and where it came from, younger Millennial and Gen Z audiences are more interested in brands with social and environmental justice value systems. I’m looking for it.
“Food with a story is important. People want food with a story.”
Hesse said there are a number of funding networks that support a specific set of missions, including businesses owned by women and people of color, as well as sustainable and earth-friendly businesses such as plant-based and meat alternatives.
Investing in the local food economy is nothing new and has stood the test of time much longer than Silicon Valley’s young investment model.
“There was a time when all food was organic,” said Hesse, who grew up in France and Germany, where slow food is deeply ingrained in the culture.
As a graduate student at the University of California, Berkeley, he recalls experiencing culture shock when he asked for suggestions for good chocolate and beer and was pointed to Hershey’s and Budweiser. A lot has changed since then. High quality artisan chocolate and craft beer are everywhere.
“I didn’t grow up in an environment where tomatoes and strawberries were available all year round. Food is one of those things you shouldn’t have to travel far. Food is best when it’s seasonal and locally grown. . If we have a relationship with a food manufacturer, that’s even more ideal,” Hesse said.
Since 2009, Sierra Commons has been working to create a more sustainable and resilient local economy by helping people turn their passions into purposeful work.
Built on the success formula of the Sierra Commons Business Igniter Course, the Food Entrepreneurship Accelerator course focuses specifically on starting or growing a food business..
Students learn core topics in nine class sessions led by expert instructors and receive one-on-one advice, industry contacts, accountability meet-ups, and peer mentoring through the Sierra Small Business Development Center (SBDC). , and access to Pitchfest with expert feedback.
Other topics include food permits and processed food registration, manufacturing and scalability. In-store – pricing and distribution; sourcing, storage and packaging. Build your team, streamline your operations, and build your brand.
Sierra Commons provides a limited number of diversity, equity, and inclusion scholarships to historically marginalized populations. The scholarship application deadline is January 12th.
For course details and registration: https://www.sierracommons.org/food-entrepreneur-accelerator
Have questions? Contact Executive Director Robert Trent at robert@sierracommons.org 530-265-8443
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