We are looking for businesses that bring a distinct Austin and/or Texan perspective. This could mean artists/makers based in Austin, retailers that sell Austin- and Texas-made goods and/or businesses offering items that reflect Austin’s unique culture - such as Western apparel, musical instruments, kayaking equipment, etc.
In addition to the above requirements, there are a few business characteristics that we’ve found to be good indicators (although not guarantees) of success:
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Business has been in operation at least one year (means you’ve gotten the hang of your operations and are in a position to start growing).
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Business has a clear brand and value proposition (helps to tell your story and stand out from the crowd).
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Business has sufficient infrastructure and human resources to grow (will keep you from getting overwhelmed and enable you to create efficient, effective operations).
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Business has depth and breadth of inventory (mitigates risk of “empty shelves” and creates multiple ways for shoppers to find and buy from you).
And finally, there are some technical requirements that all applicants must meet: