This is the top-of-mind problem for entrepreneurs at Boise Startup Week

Startup food companies face a host of challenges creating products and getting them to consumers. The biggest? Not enough money.

That was the consensus of a Boise Startup Week panel Friday.

“Money is definitely the biggest issue,” said Carrie Sullivan, co-owner of the 10-year-old Telaya Wine Co. of Garden City. In her business, that includes “the cost to actually have the land, plant the vineyard — and then you have to wait three to five years to be able to get fruit.”

Joni Kindwall-Moore, founder of Snacktivist Foods in Coeur d’Alene, said she wishes Idaho had an endowment to pay for legal help that beginning entrepreneurs like her need.

Labor is another common problem, panelists said: too few people with skills companies need, or the lack of enough regular work to attract applicants.

The University of Idaho’s Food Technology Center in Caldwell offers food processing for small companies use, but some need it infrequently and struggle to keep workers busy at other times, said Josh Bevan, director.

The hourlong discussion was part of a three-day program at several Downtown locations to foster startups through education and networking. Hundreds of company executives, prospective business owners and college students took part in Startup Week, which is in its third year.

Friday’s panel, on food technology and ag tech, also featured Eric Gonring, senior communications manager for the J.R. Simplot Co. in Boise. Eric Forsch of the Idaho Department of Commerce moderated.

This story was originally published October 19, 2018 at 6:41 PM.