BOISE, Idaho (Oct. 22, 2021) –– Chicana Foods was awarded $5,000 as the winner of Boise Entrepreneur Week’s Impact Award during the Trailmix pitch competition.

Founded by Allison Corona, Chicana Foods produces macha salsas inspired by a family recipe and refined in Corona’s Boise kitchen. Her entrepreneurial journey was influenced by her family’s salsa business in Mexico, which started over 20 years ago.

The Impact Award was created by sponsor Andy Scoggin, CEO of Scoggin Capital Investments, to recognize a pitch finalist with an inspiring story and encourage them to keep going.

He was moved by Corona’s story of overcoming adversity, which includes losing her husband to suicide, starting her company with personal funds originally set aside to purchase a home, and dedicating her business to social good. A portion of Chicana Foods’ sales are donated to non-profit organizations such as the Stay-In-School Quinceañera Program, which exposes Latinx middle school students to art, literature, and culture.

“It was clear that Allison’s entrepreneurial journey was motivated by something greater than simply a business proposition,” said Scoggin. “We were impressed by her desire to create positive social change, made possible by a multigenerational family product.”  

The Trailmix pitch competition helps food and beverage startups take their products from the farmers market to the supermarket. Applicants compete for a chance at winning a $25,000 grand prize and shelf space at Albertsons, with $5,000 going to the runner-up.        

After including cash prizes for this year’s event, Boise Entrepreneur Week has provided more than $306,000 in funding to entrepreneurs. Albertsons was this year’s Trailmix Presenting Sponsor and other sponsors included Bank of Idaho, Hawley Troxell, IGEM, Killer Creamery, Simplot and Trailhead.

Boise Entrepreneur Week is made possible through Platinum Sponsors that include Albertsons, Alturas Capital, Dan Berger, Idaho STEM Action Center, Scoggin Capital Investment, Trailhead, Vynyl and Zions Bank.    

About Boise Entrepreneur Week
Boise Entrepreneur Week (BEW) is a community program housed within Trailhead that promotes entrepreneurship in the Boise community. BEW, Idaho’s largest entrepreneurship-focused community event, provides individuals with an empowering experience as the week-long event fosters professional growth and development. To learn more about BEW and its impact on the Pacific Northwest, visit boiseentrepreneurweek.org.

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