AUSTIN, TEXAS — SKU, the consumer packaged goods accelerator, is accepting applications for its next program, set to begin in March.

Participants will receive education, mentorship and networking opportunities during the 12-week track, held online through May. Brands are selected based on market traction, innovation and founder story. The program culminates in a showcase pitch event. An expert-led curriculum covers such topics as mission and vision, branding, channel strategy, pricing, supply chain, and innovation.

Each startup is assigned a team of mentors with varied expertise to advise the founders throughout the program.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to take what I’ve learned working on massive mature brands and share my learnings with early-stage CPG startup founders to help their brands grow,” said Alexander Ames, director of content and creative excellence at the Coca-Cola Co.

Epic Provisions and Siete Family Foods are among the more than 120 companies that have participated in SKU since it was established in 2011. In recent years, SKU has developed programs in additional cities, including Dallas, Minneapolis, New York and Atlanta.

“We cannot state enough how amazing the SKU track has been for us,” said Kacey Witte, co-founder of Growth Spurt, a maker of goat milk toddler formula. “The SKU curriculum has been outstanding, and we have had in-depth and practical teaching on all aspects of business and brand building. We are so grateful for our mentors and believe they are the very best in their fields, and we can’t believe the wisdom and knowledge they have in the CPG industry. They have worked with us to develop our business and have helped us position the company for massive opportunity and scale.”

Founders may apply online via the accelerator’s website through Nov. 19.