This study analyzes how agri-food Entrepreneurial Assistance Programs (EAPs) create value for entrepreneurs. Using the MSU Product Center as a unit of analysis, the effect of agri-food EAP assistance on firms’ venture evaluation, perceived legitimacy, and performance is examined. Results indicate that agri-food EAP assistance prevents untenable business ideas from launching, improves the survival of launched ventures and develops entrepreneurs’ perceived legitimacy with trading partners. Further, results imply that targeted EAPs are a viable policy approach for promoting entrepreneurial activity in the agri-food industry, and that they can be particularly well suited to assisting nascent entrepreneurs.

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