Semilla Program

Validate, Verify, Launch

Program Description

Every fruit of a harvest begins with a seed and the work required for it to germinate and grow. With this idea in mind, the South Valley Economic Development Center (SVEDC) has created the Semilla (Spanish for seed) Program.

The Semilla Program is designed to help the entrepreneur, whether existing or brand new, verify that their business idea or food product is viable, and guide them to successfully launch it. Through our direct and clear benchmarks, the Semilla Program brings you from idea to startup.

The SVEDC team assesses the entrepreneur’s strengths and weaknesses and focuses the training, partner organization support, and consulting services in the areas of greatest need. When completing the Semilla Program, the entrepreneur has created, validated, and properly launched their small business; or the entrepreneur, for a low cost, has decided on its viability—which doesn’t always equate into the launch of a business.

Existing businesses can strengthen the areas of weaknesses within their business through the Semilla Program consultants and training.

Once their business has been launched or strengthened—and depending on their industry and needs—, the entrepreneur is ready to either move into one of our business incubation programs, or connect with one of our business incubator partners.

Resources

  • Business incubation training sessions
  • One-on-one business & food industry consultants
  • Community events
  • Fiscal address at the center
  • Receptionist service
  • Co-working area
  • Copy center
  • Lunch room
  • Shared spaces (Main Conference Room, Multipurpose Room, Private Office)
  • Use of resources (high-speed internet, coffee maker and pot, chairs, tables, projector, screen, white board, etc.)
  • Commercial kitchen access to test your products
View Facilities

The program is set to launch in the first quarter of 2025. Stay tuned for upcoming announcements regarding the informational meeting dates!

Start Accelerating Your Business Today!

FAQs

What resources are available to Semilla Program clients?

In addition to the guidance, equipment & facility spaces listed in the Resources section above, the Semilla Program gives you access to the commercial kitchen equipment*, which includes:

  • Blast Chiller
  • Compartment Sink
  • Convection Oven
  • Conventional Oven
  • Dehydrator
  • Dishwasher
  • Dough Sheet Roller
  • Flat Top Grill
  • Floor Mixer
  • Food Prep Areas
  • Fryer
  • Gluten Free Oven
  • Produce Sink
  • Regular Grill
  • Steam Jacketed Kettle
  • Stove Top
  • Tilting Skillet

*Exclusively for product testing. Actual production would occur in the Food Business Incubation Program.

What type of industries do you specialize in?

The SVEDC has the industry knowledge and equipment to support business in the following industries:

  • 11 – Agriculture , Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
    • 1151 – Support Activities for Crop Production
  • 72 – Accommodation and Food Services
    • 722310 – Food Service Contractors
    • 722320 – Caterers
    • 722330 – Mobile Food Services
  • 311 – Manufacturing – Food
    • 3113 – Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing
    • 311411 – 311412 – Frozen Fruit, Juice, Vegetable and Frozen Specialty
    • 311421 – Fruit and Vegetable Canning or Jarring (we do not have canning equipment)
    • 311422 – Specialty Canning or Jarring (we do not have canning equipment)
    • 311423 – Dried or Dehydrated Food (except meat dehydration) 
    • 3115 – Dairy Product Manufacturing
    • 3117 – Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging
    • 311811 – 311812 – Retail and Commercial Bakeries
    • 311813 – Frozen Cakes, Pies, and Other Pastries
    • 311821 – Cookie and Cracker Manufacturing
    • 311824 – Dry Pasta Dough and Flour Mixes
    • 311911 – Roasted Nuts and Peanut Butter
    • 311919 – Other Snack Manufacturing
    • 311920 – Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (we have limited equipment)
    • 311930 – Flavoring Syrup and Concentrate
    • 311941 – Mayonnaise, Dressing, and Other Prepared Sauce 
    • 311942 – Spice and Extract Manufacturing
    • 311991 – Perishable Prepared Foods
    • 311999 – All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing

Although SVEDC Staff and Business Advisors have the Industry knowledge to assist and provide guidance, the SVEDC facility does not have the equipment or space to incubate the following type of business:

  • 11 – Agriculture , Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
    • 1111 – Oilseed and Grain Farming
    • 1112 – Vegetable and Melon Farming
    • 1113 – Fruit and Tree Nut Farming
    • 1114 – Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture Production
    • 1119 – Other Crop Farming
    • 1121 – Cattle Ranching and Farming
    • 1122 – Hog and Pig Farming
    • 1123 – Poultry and Egg Production
    • 1124 – Sheep and Goat Farming
    • 1125 – Aquaculture
  • 72 – Accommodation and Food Services
    • 722511 – Full-Service Restaurants
    • 722513 – Limited-Service Restaurants
    • 722514 – Cafeterias and Buffets
  • 311 – Manufacturing – Food
    • 3111 – Animal Food Manufacturing
    • 3112 – Grain and Oilseed Milling
    • 3116 – Animal Slaughtering and Processing
    • 311830 – Tortilla Manufacturing
  • 312 – Manufacturing – Beverage

Although the SVEDC Staff and Business Advisors can assist and provide guidance in the general business management concepts, the SVEDC Staff and Business Advisors do not have the industry knowledge to provide in-depth assistance or guidance. In addition the SVEDC facility does not have the equipment or space to incubate this type of business (other than providing an office space):

  • 11 – Agriculture , Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
    • 1129 – Other Animal Production
    • 1131-1133 – Timber, Forest Nursery and Logging
    • 1141-1142 – Fishing and Hunting
    • 1152-1153 – Support Activities Animal Production and Forestry
  • 21 – Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction
  • 22- Utilities
  • 23 – Construction
  • 313 – Manufacturing – Textiles
  • 323 – Manufacturing – Printing and related
  • 333 – Manufacturing – Machinery
  • 334 – Manufacturing – Computer and electronic products
  • 337 – Manufacturing – Furniture and related
  • 31-33 – Manufacturing – Other
  • 42 – Wholesale Trade
  • 44-45 – Retail Trade
  • 48-49 – Transportation and Warehousing
  • 51 – Information
  • 52 – Finance and Insurance
  • 53 – Real Estate and Rental and Leasing
  • 54 – Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
  • 55 – Management of Companies
  • 56 – Administrative and Support and Waste Management
  • 61 – Educational Services
  • 62 – Health Care and Social Assistance
  • 71 – Arts, Entertainment and Recreation
  • 72 – Accommodation and Food Services
    • 722515 – Snacks and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars
    • 7211-7212 Traveler Accommodation and RV & Recreational Parks
    • 7213 – Rooming and Boarding Houses
    • 7724 – Drinking Places
  • 81 – Other Services
  • 91 – Public Administration