WeWork Labs to Support Food Accelerator

Will WeWork Food Labs take over the food accelerator space? It’s happening in New York—to start—at 511 W 25th St. In an interview with Tech Crunch, Roee Adler, global head of WeWork Labs, described it as a traditional accelerator, signing up a limited group of entrepreneurs for a half-year program and making an equity investment in their companies.

WeWork is committing $1 million to back the first batch of companies.

“I do have to say, food carries a disproportionate amount of weight and attention," Adler said. "We think it is one of the most exciting areas in the world right now, because this isn’t merely about encouraging businesses—this is about the future of the world, no less than what our children will eat.”

Adler described the space itself as “a very inclusive workspace” for members who may be in “the very early stages” of pursuing a food-related startup idea, and who would benefit from introductions to commercial packaged goods brands, access to commercial kitchens and access to farmland—the kinds of things that he says WeWork can provide.

To help guide the program, WeWork has also created an advisory board that includes our friend and acclaimed food scholar Marion Nestle.

Applications for the accelerator are available now at www.wework.com/promos/food-labs.