Target lets Gen Z show its business prowess

Minneapolis-based Target Corp. is letting Generation Z entrepreneurs show what they got through its new eight-week Target Incubator program.

Launched in May to support Gen Z entrepreneurs who run businesses that benefit people or the planet, Target Incubator concluded Aug. 1 at the discount giant’s Minneapolis headquarters. At Target Incubator Demo Day, the founders of Blue Mangoes, Dressmate, KnoNap, Mickey’s Mission, Pulp Pantry, Symba, Terravive, and Trill Project shared overviews of their businesses and the progress they’ve made.

“I’ve had my own software development company since age 13,” said Ariana Sokolov, co-founder of Trill Project, a social networking app that creates safe and supportive spaces. “During the Target Incubator program, I’ve designed, tested and executed a new feature into the app every single week.”

The demos were the conclusion of a three-day event known as the Target Incubator Conference, with more than 100 attendees from across the country. Participants attended retail workshops, networked, met mentors and listened to speakers such as Minsok Pak, Target’s chief strategy and innovation officer. They also split into teams to take on a business case challenge of brainstorming a new service to launch at Target that would simplify the customer experience.