Confidence Starts Here
The Shelfie Program is a playground where makers, builders, and creative thinkers can showcase early ideas, prototypes, products or whatever you may be working on at Shift Retail Lab.
It’s designed to help you figure out what works (and what doesn’t) by putting your work to the test. It’s not about being polished, it’s about showing up, getting real feedback, and learning by doing.
Why Join Shelfie?
Real Feedback Test your idea with real people and hear what resonates.
Safe Space to Learn No polish needed, just show up and grow.
Build Confidence Practice talking about your work, gather insights, and iterate.
Support + Skill Building Get coaching and gain skill-building micro-credentials.
Celebrate Progress Wrap your cohort with a live showcase and pitch opportunity.
Students
Alumni
Community Members
Growth Starts Here
The Food Shelfie Program is a supportive launchpad for food and beverage entrepreneurs ready to grow their businesses. It is designed to help you strengthen your business’s foundation, covering everything from business planning and branding to accounting, legal, regulatory compliance, and more through hands-on learning, expert mentorship, and real-world feedback.
Stories from the Shelves
Check out some of the creators who’ve brought their ideas to life through Shelfie, from bold prototypes to handmade products, tech concepts, and everything in between.
Kendall Liverpool
The Ballad of a Senior Hawkeye | Prototype
VCU Undergraduate Student
"The Shelfie Program has given me a lot of clarity on what I wanted to do."
Agrim Prakash
Need for Safety| MVP
VCU Graduate Student
"Learning and work have always happened to me in silos. This is the first time in my life where both of those things are intersecting. I am learning as I work on something and I think that is a unique model."
Ellie Bavuso
Uncle John's Bakery | Ready for Market
VCU alumni
"The Shelfie Program provides a framework that really allows you to not only get started but continue your forward momentum."
Fall 2025 Application & Cohort Dates
Cohort One
Application Deadline: Wednesday, September 3rd, noon
Bootcamp: Saturday, September 6th
Pitch Workshop: Friday, September 12th
Pitch Practice: September 22nd or September 25th
Feedback Friday: Friday, September 26th, 4-6pm
Information on times will be provided upon acceptance.
Find Us
Come see where ideas come to life!
Shift Retail Lab is located on Broad Street across from the Stuart C. Siegel Center.
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