In downtown St. Paul, an international program that funds and mentors entrepreneurs as they launch their own technology companies will accept applications for its first-ever food tech “accelerator” through Sunday.

Techstars aims to help launch 30 agriculture and food technology startup operations in downtown St. Paul in the next three years. Accepted applicants will receive $100,000 to roll out their company, including a $20,000 living stipend, and access to top talent in their industry, legal help and other valuable perks throughout 90 days of mentoring.

Starting up 30 businesses is an ambitious goal, but the Techstars “Farm to Fork Accelerator Program” has big boosters behind it — Cargill and Ecolab — and ties to many others.

The program will be located in the Osborn370 building, formerly known as the Ecolab Tower, on Wabasha Street. The goal is to allow technology companies focused on agriculture, manufacturing and supply chains, food safety, waste reduction and other disciplines to grow downtown through a three-month mentorship.

The first round of the accelerator will begin in July, with a demonstration day in October. Entrepreneurs, who will be accepted from anywhere in the world, will work on-site, but are free to move their companies anywhere they wish once the program is over. The hope is some will stay local.

“This unique partnership with Techstars, Ecolab and Cargill will create a critical mass of entrepreneurs who will help lead St. Paul into the future,” said St. Paul Mayor Mayor Melvin Carter, in a statement.

Brett Brohl, managing director of the Techstars Farm to Fork accelerator program, said his goal is to “help build upon the strong foundation already in place for entrepreneurs.”

The city’s Innovation Cabinet — made up of representatives of industry, local universities and the public sector — led last year to the launch of the city’s Full Stack Initiative, a multi-pronged effort to make sure St. Paul’s real estate offerings and business climate are inviting to technology and innovation. The initiative is a collaboration with the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce.

St. Paul City Council Member Chris Tolbert, who chairs the Full Stack Initiative, said a retail-oriented TechStars program conducted in partnership with the Target corporation in Minneapolis has drawn entrepreneurs who have stayed in the area and found eager investors. “They were turning funders away,” Tolbert said.

The Techstars Farm to Fork Accelerator Program will move to the Osborn370 building in June and begin working with the first round of chosen applicants in July.