What is the entrepreneurship forum?
In an effort to help mitigate barriers that exist for minority and female small business owners, the Market launched a two-part program aimed to increase education, opportunity and access to the downtown stage: the Boston Public Market Entrepreneurship Forum, powered by Citizens. This six-seminar series supports financial and business development of our small business community. The forum culminates our Boston Public Market incubator competition, powered by Citizens, an opportunity for local minority-owned businesses to sell their wares in the Market, free of charge for up to one year.
Business education
Six seminars featuring speaking panels by industry leaders on key topics: developing a business plan, branding, marketing, and much more.
Incubator competition
Eligible Forum participants have the opportunity to compete for grants up to $5000 and free rent space in Boston Public Market for up to a year.
2025-26 timeline
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
We will be in touch regarding applications soon!
“As a Market on a Mission, supporting and developing local entrepreneurs is the cornerstone of what makes the Boston Public Market a unique, vibrant, and mission-driven institution in Downtown Boston.
We are thrilled to welcome this next generation of minority-owned small businesses and shepherd their success through ongoing mentorship, collaboration, and guidance.”
-Cheryl Cronin, CEO, Boston Public Market
Congratulations to our 2024-25 winners!
ninawa zero waste clothes
Ninawa Zero-Waste Clothes, owned by Aelen Unan, is a sustainable upcycler business. Founded in 2019 while experiencing homelessness and living in a women’s shelter, Ninawa Zero Waste Clothes upcycles unwanted, trashed textiles such as curtains, sheets, tablecloths, and leftover fabric or clothes into eco-friendly tote bags, handmade aprons, artistic tea towels, napkins, unique table runners, and other sustainable kitchen accessories. Ninawa Zero Waste Clothes’ mission is to reduce the use of plastic bags by replacing them with eco-friendly upcycled tote bags and to reduce the waste of textile material that is sent to landfill by giving it new life through the upcycling process.
Ninawa Zero Waste Clothes was awarded one year of full-time, rent-free space within the Boston Public Market starting in early fall 2025.
Melt In Your Mouth
Melt in Your Mouth is a woman-owned, all-natural dessert business specializing in handcrafted, made-from-scratch treats using seasonal ingredients sourced from local businesses. Founded by Silpa Pande, whose search for wholesome desserts began when her infant was diagnosed as lactose-intolerant, the business grew into a bigger mission: creating desserts made with real, clean ingredients — free from artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, and high-fructose corn syrup. From timeless classics like Vanilla to globally inspired flavors like Rose Cardamom, our desserts are crafted to bring people together through the simple joy of dessert.
Melt in Your Mouth will pop up year-round every week at the Boston Public Market starting in fall 2025.
honorable mention
Wicked Bess
Wicked Bess Bar Prep & Shrubs, a minority-owned, premium vinegar-based drink mixer company owned by Will Caines, was also named honorable mention and will receive free pop-up opportunities in the Market.
In the Media
questions?
Please reach out to Chelsea Doliner at cdoliner@bostonpublicmarket.org
