FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • What happens now?
    When you click “Let’s Connect” you will be asked to complete a short Let’s Connect Form including your contact details, a non-confidential overview of your business and your agreement to the terms and conditions of submission (waiver). Central Garden & Pet will review your details and evaluate the business idea.
  • What information does my submission need to include?
    Contact information is essential for us to follow up. The Let’s Connect Form must also at least provide a good non-confidential overview of your business. You only need to send us an outline of your business at this stage describing how your products or services work in a general sense and the benefits to the consumer. Of course, the more information that you are able to provide the better.
  • Do I have to be at least 18 years old to submit my business description?
    Yes. This is the legally accepted age for agreeing to terms and conditions for this activity.
  • Who decides if my submission is of interest to Central Garden & Pet?
    An internal team will review your Let’s Connect Form to decide whether Central Garden & Pet would be a good partner for your enterprise. Central Garden & Pet will follow up directly with you via e-mail to inform you of the status. That may include no further action, more details required, or of interest for further discussion.
  • How long will it take for my submission to be reviewed?
    On submitting your Let’s Connect Form, you will receive notice confirming your submission has been received. Contact will then be made soon to inform you of the status of your submission.
  • Is only non-confidential information required?
    At this point in the submission process, we ask for only information that you do not view as confidential, imposes no obligations of confidentiality for Central Garden & Pet and does not breach any confidentiality obligations that you owe to others. If confidential information is later required for a more complete evaluation, we will negotiate a separate Confidential Disclosure Agreement prior to the sharing of any confidential information.
  • Do I have to accept the Submission Terms & Conditions?
    Yes, these are created to protect you and delineate your rights, and allows Central Garden & Pet to consider your submission knowing that there is clarity and agreement on the terms and conditions that are applicable.
  • If I have more than one submission, will I have to agree to accept the Terms & Conditions for each submission?
    Yes.
  • Do I have to have Intellectual Property protection?
    Ideally, your business will be protected by granted or applied-for patents or other legal IP rights. If you have not filed for patents yet, you should not disclose any information that jeopardizes your rights to file patents, and we advise you to contact an IP lawyer prior to submission.
  • I do business with Central Garden & Pet, can my company participate?
    We would suggest starting with your regular contacts within Central Garden & Pet to discuss the best way for your business to be considered. If appropriate, register through centralventures.com and complete the Let’s Connect Form. Along with the requested information, it may be helpful to remind and describe for us your existing relationship with Central Garden & Pet.
  • I am a retired/former employee of Central Garden & Pet; may I participate in the program?
    Yes, retirees or former employees of Central Garden & Pet may participate. Please refer to the terms laid out in during the registration process.
download (1)