Taylor Bauldwin graduated from UT with a bachelor’s degree in food science from the Herbert College of Agriculture. Upon graduating, Bauldwin began building a career in the food and beverage space, working with a selection of the industry’s major players and stakeholders.
Bauldwin’s primary goal is to win for the community. In 2022, he founded Rooted Ventures to provide support, recognition, and investment to Black and minority founders in the food and beverage industry. In addition to being named a Forbes Contributor for the Food and Beverage category, Rooted Ventures has also served as a sponsor for tech events in Chicago aimed at increasing diversity in the field.
In collaboration with BeNimble and Sixty8 Capital, Bauldwin helped create and serves as program director for the Melon Kitchen accelerator program in Indianapolis, Indiana, for under-resourced founders in food and beverage industries. The program is in its second cohort and is estimated to have an economic impact of approximately $5 million. The opportunity has not only allowed Bauldwin to mentor cohort members but has awarded them grants for being selected; he was recently awarded a $90,000 grant from United Way for Melon Kitchen.
While residing in Indianapolis, Bauldwin served as a member of the Indy Food Council, contributing to political decisions and helping ensure an equitable food ecosystem. As a self-proclaimed food futurist, Bauldwin strives to create a new food economy and more equitable ecosystems for overlooked founders. In his free time, Bauldwin enjoys rooting for the Vols and the Grizzlies, reading, going to the gym, and enjoying Chicago.
