FASTForward graduate Mmmpanadas wins grand prize in HEB competition

Mmmpanadas, a 2016 graduate of the IC² Institute’s FASTForward program, won the grand prize in HEB’s “Primo Picks” competition for up-and-coming Texas-made food products.

The $25,000 grand prize is accompanied by an opportunity to introduce its products to the customers of the retail giant, which operates a chain of over 350 supermarkets across Texas.

Mmmpanadas was founded in 2008 by Kristen and Cody Fields, starting with a single food truck and soon expanding into a frozen food line for their gourmet empanadas. In 2016 they participated in IC²’s FASTForward program in order to develop the skills and strategies to scale up their business.

FASTForward is a 10-week training program for Austin-based small businesses designed to accelerate business growth and maximize profit. FASTForward was developed by the IC² Institute and supported by the City of Austin. Since 2016, 31 small Austin companies have participated in the program from numerous sectors – food, apparel, maintenance services, education, design, arts management, and more.

Kristen Fields credits FASTForward with a big part of Mmmpanadas’ success. “FASTForward gave me the room to learn and grow. And I don’t think I would have won if I hadn’t had the experiences granted to me via FASTForward,” she said.

Another recent FASTForward success story is Garbo’s, which was chosen Best Food Trailer by Austin Monthly readers in the annual Best of ATX poll. Garbo’s sells lobster rolls and other New England cuisine from its two trucks, and was a 2017 graduate of FASTForward.

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August 13, 2018