The Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation will accept applications for the second cohort of BincTank, its business incubator pilot program to support BIPOC-owned retail bookselling businesses that are physically located in their community, Oct. 13-Nov. 3, 2024. The application will be available at https://www.bincfoundation.org/binctank/.
Bookmobiles, pop-up stores and brick and mortar storefronts are eligible models. Stores that qualify are either not yet open or opened on or after July 1, 2024. Businesses interested in moving from one model to another, like a pop-up moving to a bricks and mortar location, are also eligible. The entrepreneurs and proposed businesses must be in the U.S. or a U.S. territory. An FAQ document with more detailed information about eligibility is also available for review.
The first cohort of 12 entrepreneurs graduated in August, which means 12 communities have, or are on the path to having, their bookstore.
BincTank will initially support bookstores and book retail outlets operated by historically underrepresented entrepreneurs in communities impacted by systemic racism. A three-year pilot program, BincTank plans to evaluate results and then determine how to proceed.