Win a free pitch with Mercato Metropolitano!

Mercato Metropolitano, which part of the MMovement, has announced its new ‘dreaMM campaign’ – an initiative to aid local entrepreneurs with the means to realise their ‘dreaMM’. As many feel the strain of the cost-of-living crisis and potential new business ventures are put on pause, Mercato wants to support a local citizen to take the first step towards turning their dream into a successful business.

Mercato is a movement that is designed to bring people together through food and community engagement. It believes that everyone should have access to good, nutritious and affordable food. And building a sustainable and inclusive future for both people and planet is at the heart of MMovement.

Now, the marketplace, which runs a number of sites across London and is soon to open a new venture in Ilford, is inviting new entrepreneurs to share their vision and values to join the MMovement – by applying to secure a rent-free, three-month tenure in one of Mercato’s vibrant community markets.

Alongside the rent-free tenure, the selected ‘dreaMMer’ will have access to free one-two-one consultations with the Mercato team, to help them create a business plan, source sustainable, local ingredients, receive branding and marketing advice, and more. They will also be receiving support and advice, as needed, from one of Mercato’s current trading partners. Additionally, the company will support the winner with financial resources to help cover the fixed costs associated with the pop-up.

The initiative is part of Mercato’s dreaMM campaign, which aims to discover and support new talent, ideas, projects – leaving everyone involved inspired and motivated to pursue their dream.

Andrea Rasca, Mercato Metropolitano’s chief executive officer and chief leader of the MMovement, said: “Community building is at the very heart of the MM ethos. We believe in encouraging human interaction, in the spirit of community and engagement, and in creating thriving, vibrant urban communities – and what better way to do that than sitting around a table and sharing good food with friends and family?

“As part of this, we’re passionate about supporting local businesses and entrepreneurs who have innovative and sustainable business concepts, to help bring their dreaMM to life, and to make a living from their culinary craft.

“Unfortunately, the current cost-of-living crisis poses a major threat to local businesses and to those looking to embark on a new adventure. Therefore, we want to provide all the necessary means to enable one person’s dreaMM business to come to life.  

“Here at Mercato Metropolitano, we’ve built a wonderful model that offers all of the tools that our trading partners need – we source the best ingredients, sort out the waste and recycling, the cleaning and much more. All we ask them to do is cook.”

Submissions are open until 30th May 2023, with applicants asked to answer a few key questions, either in writing or through a short video. Shortlisted entries will then be invited to present their concept in-person to a number of panelists at the dreaMM pitch day on 15th June 2023, following which a winner will be selected.

For more information, or to apply, visit: mercatometropolitano.com/dreamm-with-us

You may also be interested in…