Resident receives cash prize for new kombucha business

Sep 14, 2020

A Dartmouth woman won the top prize for her new kombucha startup after finishing an entrepreneurship accelerator program with non-profit Entrepreneurship for All South Coast, according to a press release.

Resident Emily Mellgard was awarded $3,000 in cash for her Fieldstone Kombucha business, which sells small batch, seasonal kombucha — a fermented tea drink — on tap for restaurants and other eateries.

Mellgard was one of a dozen new business owners to finish the 12-week Entrepreneurship for All program last week, attending a virtual ceremony and receiving the top prize out of the five entrepreneurs who received cash awards totaling $10,500, the release stated.

Accelerator participant Carrie Ann Chandonnait, founder of a gourmet cannabis edibles business, recited a poem for her classmates on the occasion.

“Tonight is a night for celebration, and not just because we successfully completed twelve weeks of intense education,” she read. “I’m here tonight to honor, celebrate, and appreciate you  this very exceptional entrepreneurial crew. ”

“Good luck on this next chapter  it’s just the beginning,” Chandonnait continued. “Take your business to the next level and continue the winning.”  

Other prize winners included the New Bedford Performing Arts Center, hot sauce company 13 Stars, STYLR beauty app, and POP Culture confectioners.

EforAll South Coast is accepting applications for participants in its winter 2021 accelerator program. The application can be found on eforall.org. Contact Donna Criscuolo at soco@eforall.org with questions.