Product, Service & Design Innovation
Chipotle Seeking Startups That Can Help 'Cultivate a Better World'

Chipotle Mexican Grill announced this week that the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation will sponsor the first Chipotle Aluminaries Project, a seven-month-long accelerator program designed to help growth-stage ventures with a shared vision to cultivate a better world take their businesses to the next level.

Beginning September 12, sustainable food-focused startups can apply to join a cohort of ventures that will receive mentorship and direct coaching from world-renowned industry leaders, participate in a boot camp and, of course, be fueled by Chipotle catering throughout.

"Chipotle has been committed to the future of food with integrity since opening our first restaurant 25 years ago," said Brian Niccol, CEO of Chipotle. "Since then, Chipotle and its Foundation have changed how customers and the industry think about food, which is part of our mission to cultivate a better world. By sponsoring the Chipotle Aluminaries Project, we're looking to advance the work of the next generation of entrepreneurs who are disrupting the food landscape. Are you using technology to make an impact? Are you dreaming up the next sustainable food innovation? If so, we want to support you and help share your story."

The Chipotle Aluminaries Project is seeking both for- and non-profit applicants in the areas of alternative farming and growing systems, farming and agriculture technology, food waste and recovery, and plant and alternative products. After reviewing submissions and talking with candidates, Uncharted — the non-profit partner selected by the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation to host and run the accelerator — will select up to eight ventures to join the first cohort.

Those ventures will receive support and mentorship from hand-selected industry leaders including:

• Richard Blais, a successful chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, television personality and winner of “Bravo's Top Chef All-Stars”
• Kimbal Musk, an entrepreneur, philanthropist and restaurateur who sits on the boards of directors of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Tesla Inc. and SpaceX

Ventures will also work closely with Chipotle executives such as:

• Curt Garner, chief digital and information officer
• Caitlin Leibert, director of sustainability
• Laurie Schalow, chief communications officer
• Tressie Lieberman, VP of digital marketing and off premise

The selected ventures will participate in a five-day, in-person boot camp in Newport Beach, California, with direct coaching to build their plan for scale. Plus, they will receive real food to fuel late work-nights with monthly Chipotle catering for their office and a Chipotle celebrity card.

"The Chipotle Aluminaries Project is part of a fresh perspective from the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation, which we founded in 2011 to extend our commitment to creating a more sustainable food future," Leibert said. "Chipotle believes that philanthropy is more than check cutting, and this is the first of many efforts from the Cultivate Foundation of investing in new ways."

The Chipotle Aluminaries Project will be launched in partnership with Uncharted, a 501(c)(3) organization that uses the DNA of an entrepreneurial accelerator to tackle major social problems such as urban poverty and food deserts. Uncharted has helped social entrepreneurs raise $252 million, create impact in 96 countries, and benefit 37 million lives.

Companies interested in applying for the Chipotle Aluminaries Project can find more information and apply here, beginning September 12.