La Cocina
La Cocina is a San Francisco nonprofit food business incubator founded in 2005 that provides subsidized commercial kitchen space, technical assistance, mentorship, and market access to women, immigrants, people of color, and low-income food entrepreneurs across the Bay Area.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What La Cocina does
La Cocina is a nonprofit food business incubator founded in 2005 and headquartered in San Francisco, California. It provides subsidized access to shared-use commercial kitchen space, structured technical assistance in product development, finance, marketing, and operations, 1:1 mentorship from volunteer professionals, and downstream market channels (farmers markets, food halls, catering, brick-and-mortar retail) to women, immigrants, people of color, and low-income food entrepreneurs who face structural barriers to entry in the food industry. The organization runs a structured incubator program with three annual application rounds, a 6-month pre-incubation phase, full incubation with continued kitchen access, and graduation into an active alumni network.
The company operates two physical sites — the original La Cocina on Folsom at 2948 Folsom Street and La Cocina on Hyde at 101 Hyde Street in the Tenderloin (launched May 2024 from the former La Cocina Marketplace food hall) — together serving an 80+ business community. Its product portfolio also includes catering services, an online meal ordering platform via HubShop, an award-winning cookbook, gift boxes shipped nationally, a tiered Insider monthly giving program ($15–$200/month), and a corporate sponsorship pipeline anchored by the annual San Francisco Street Food Festival. Technology is not a differentiator: the offering is physical infrastructure plus human-capital services, with no proprietary software or AI components evidenced.
La Cocina's revenue model is a hybrid of subsidized kitchen-rental fees, catering revenue, e-commerce product sales (cookbook and gift boxes), and a substantial base of donations and grants. As a 501(c)(3), it is funded in significant part by institutional philanthropy — most recently a $3.5 million grant from the Walter & Elise Haas Fund in April 2023 — alongside recurring individual giving. The go-to-market is community-led: entrepreneurs are sourced through word-of-mouth, media coverage, and partner referrals, with sales opportunities generated by connecting graduates to catering contracts, farmers markets, food halls, and brick-and-mortar locations across the Bay Area.
La Cocina firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- La Cocina
- Legal name
- La Cocina
- Website
- https://lacocinasf.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- La Cocina is a San Francisco nonprofit food business incubator founded in 2005 that provides subsidized commercial kitchen space, technical assistance, mentorship, and market access to women, immigrants, people of color, and low-income food entrepreneurs across the Bay Area.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
La Cocina industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Food Business Incubator Services
- NAICS
- Food Service Contractors (722310), Caterers (72232)
- SIC
- Retail-Eating Places (5812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- CPO (Central Production/Commissary) + Satellite Ghost Kitchens (THAFAJAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Full-Service Catering (Off-Premise) (HSACAGAA)
Keywords
Where La Cocina is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
La Cocina business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Kitchen Rental Revenue: La Cocina generates revenue through subsidized commercial kitchen rentals for low-income food entrepreneurs. The kitchen spaces allow entrepreneurs who were formerly shut out of the food industry to formalize their businesses at affordable rates.
- Catering Services: Catering services provided through La Cocina and its network of entrepreneurs generate revenue for both the organization and the food businesses it supports.
- Donations and Grants: As a nonprofit organization, La Cocina relies on donations, grants, and its Insider monthly giving program to fund operations. Proceeds from cookbook sales also support the incubator.
- Product Sales (Gift Boxes, Cookbooks): La Cocina sells gift boxes and cookbooks featuring products from its entrepreneurs. All proceeds go back into La Cocina's incubator program.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | $15/month or $180/year Insider subscription |
| Subscription | Monthly | $25/month or $300/year Insider subscription |
| Subscription | Monthly | $50/month or $600/year Insider subscription |
| Subscription | Monthly | $200/month or $2,400/year Insider subscription |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
La Cocina product offering
Product offeringCore offering
La Cocina is a nonprofit food business incubator that provides affordable shared-use commercial kitchen space, structured technical assistance, 1:1 mentorship, and market access (catering, farmers' markets, brick-and-mortar locations) to low-income food entrepreneurs in the San Francisco Bay Area. The organization operates two commercial kitchen facilities and runs a 12+ month incubator program with training in product, finance, marketing, and operations.
Product overview
La Cocina is a nonprofit food business incubator offering a portfolio of interconnected programs and services. At its core is the Incubator Program—a 12+ month structured pathway providing technical assistance and affordable commercial kitchen access to working-class food entrepreneurs. The organization operates two shared-use commercial kitchens (La Cocina on Folsom and La Cocina on Hyde) where entrepreneurs develop their products. Complementary offerings include catering services, an online meal ordering platform, gift boxes, and an award-winning cookbook. Supporting infrastructure includes the Insider donation program, volunteer technical assistance, and a business directory/mapping initiative tracking 150+ graduates. The ecosystem is designed to take entrepreneurs from idea through formalization, growth, and graduation as independent food businesses.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Commercial Kitchen Rental (La Cocina on Folsom) Affordable commercial kitchen space rental at 2948 Folsom Street, San Francisco, providing working-class food entrepreneurs access to formalize their businesses who would otherwise be shut out of the food industry.
- La Cocina on Hyde (Commercial Kitchen Rental) Shared-use commercial kitchen at 101 Hyde St. in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood, serving as training, workshop, and production space for 80+ entrepreneurial businesses. Available for event rental and hosts community events.
- Incubator Program 12+ month structured incubator program with application/enrollment, 6-month pre-incubation with technical assistance in product, marketing, finance, and operations, followed by full incubation with continued support and kitchen access, culminating in graduation and alumni status. Designed for women, immigrants, and people of color food entrepreneurs.
- Catering Services Custom catering services for events and corporate functions using food from La Cocina entrepreneurs, providing market opportunities for program participants.
- Insider Program Recurring monthly donation/membership program with tiered subscriptions ($15/month to $200/month) offering perks such as early event access, shop discounts, Drop-In Market tastings, and catered dining opportunities with entrepreneurs.
- Gift Boxes Online gift box product featuring artisanal treats from La Cocina chefs, available in multiple sizes and bulk orders with national shipping. Proceeds go back into La Cocina's incubator program.
- La Cocina Cookbook Award-winning cookbook featuring 40+ stories and 120+ recipes from women food entrepreneurs in the La Cocina program. All proceeds support La Cocina's mission.
- Consulting Services Consulting services offered by La Cocina leveraging its 20 years of food business incubation expertise.
- Order Meals (Pre-Order Platform) Pre-order meals platform connecting customers with food made by La Cocina entrepreneurs through HubShop.
Quantifiable outcome
- 150+ food businesses cultivated since 2005
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use La Cocina
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
La Cocina technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
La Cocina partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- Renaissance Center for EntrepreneurshipminorPartner organization recommended for entrepreneurs who need support writing a business plan before applying to La Cocina's Incubator Program.
- Centro Community PartnersminorPartner organization recommended for entrepreneurs who need support writing a business plan before applying to La Cocina's Incubator Program.
- MEDA (Mission Economic Development Agency)minorPartner organization recommended for entrepreneurs who need support writing a business plan before applying to La Cocina's Incubator Program.
- SF New Deal - Vacant to Vibrant ProgramminorProgram connecting La Cocina entrepreneurs like Teranga to commercial space opportunities at 4 Embarcadero Center through vacant storefront activation.
- Foodwise Ferry Plaza Farmers MarketminorFarmers market venue where La Cocina entrepreneurs like Bini's Kitchen sell their products, providing market access and visibility.
- Heart of the City Farmers MarketminorFarmers market in San Francisco where La Cocina entrepreneurs like Estrellita's Snacks vend their products, supporting local food access in underserved areas.
- SaluhallminorFood hall at 945 Market St. where La Cocina entrepreneur Kayma operates a kiosk, providing brick-and-mortar market access.
- La Peña Cultural CenterminorBerkeley cultural center housing Los Cilantros restaurant, a La Cocina graduate, supporting the transition from incubator to independent operations.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
La Cocina competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Hot Bread Kitchen: NYC-based nonprofit food business incubator that trains and supports immigrant women and people of color to launch food businesses; the closest direct analog to La Cocina in mission, target population, and shared-kitchen model.
- Hope & Main: Rhode Island nonprofit food business incubator providing shared commercial kitchen space, mentorship, and technical assistance to food entrepreneurs, directly comparable in incubator structure and program offerings.
- The Hatchery Chicago: Chicago-based nonprofit food and beverage incubator offering shared kitchen space, business training, and accelerator programming to food entrepreneurs; comparable in scale, mission, and service portfolio.
- Union Kitchen: DC-area shared commercial kitchen and food business accelerator providing kitchen access, distribution support, and retail placement to food entrepreneurs; closely comparable for-profit shared-kitchen operator.
- Cookspace: Brooklyn-based shared commercial kitchen and food incubator offering rentable kitchen space and business support services to early-stage food brands; comparable operating model and customer segment.
Emerging players
- Galley: Shared commercial kitchen operator in multiple U.S. cities providing rentable kitchen space to food entrepreneurs; comparable shared-kitchen model but with different geographic footprint and less mission-driven framing.
- DC Central Kitchen: DC-based nonprofit focused on food workforce development and hunger relief that also operates training kitchens for disadvantaged populations; comparable nonprofit mission and food-business training but distinct end-customer focus.
Broad incumbents
- Kitchen United: National shared commercial kitchen and ghost kitchen operator serving restaurant brands with multi-city kitchen facilities; broader commercial scale but overlapping in core shared-kitchen rental model.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
La Cocina social profiles
Digital presenceLa Cocina financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
La Cocina leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
La Cocina funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
La Cocina M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about La Cocina
What does La Cocina do?
La Cocina is a nonprofit food business incubator that provides affordable shared-use commercial kitchen space, structured technical assistance, 1:1 mentorship, and market access (catering, farmers' markets, brick-and-mortar locations) to low-income food entrepreneurs in the San Francisco Bay Area. The organization operates two commercial kitchen facilities and runs a 12+ month incubator program with training in product, finance, marketing, and operations.
Is La Cocina a public or private company?
La Cocina is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was La Cocina founded?
La Cocina was founded in 2005. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is La Cocina based?
La Cocina is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does La Cocina make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Kitchen Rental Revenue is the primary driver. The others are catering Services, donations and Grants and product Sales (Gift Boxes, Cookbooks).
Who are La Cocina's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Hot Bread Kitchen, Hope & Main, The Hatchery Chicago, Union Kitchen and Cookspace. Emerging players are Galley and DC Central Kitchen. Kitchen United is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does La Cocina have an API?
No public API is recorded for La Cocina.
What industry is La Cocina in?
La Cocina's product category is Food Business Incubator Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAFAJAH, CPO (Central Production/Commissary) + Satellite Ghost Kitchens, with a secondary code of HSACAGAA, Full-Service Catering (Off-Premise). Its NAICS code is 722310 and its SIC code is 5812.