The Startup CPG Podcast
The top CPG podcast in the world, highlighting stories from founders, buyer spotlights, highly practical industry insights - all to give you a better chance at success.
Insights from recent episode analysis
On the show
- Khalil Khamis1 ep
- Seth Goldman1 ep
- Lex Evan1 ep
Also: John Craven, Colleen Cottrell, Caitlin Bricker, Rogers Healy, Maria Velasquez, Myriah Castillo, Val Ponce De Leon, Taylor Blue, Gabriella Labi, Tonya Reznikovich, Jesse Suarez, Sean Knecht, Graham Garzon, Ashley Whalen, Jacob Trumbull, Lara Tiro, Luba Safran
Audience Interest
Podcast Focus
Publishing Consistency
Insights are generated by CastFox AI using publicly available data, episode content, and proprietary models.
Most discussed topics
Brands & references
Total monthly reach
Based on 1 signal.
Built from
By chart position
- 🇺🇸United States · EntrepreneurshipHOME#1853.8K to 20K
- 🇲🇾MY · Entrepreneurship#30619 to 3.3K
- 🇮🇪Ireland · Entrepreneurship#78158 to 837
- 🇳🇱Netherlands · Entrepreneurship#149106 to 560
- 🇳🇿New Zealand · Entrepreneurship#12265 to 343
- Per-Episode Audience
Est. listeners per new episode within ~30 days
4.8K to 25K🎙 Daily cadence·492 episodes·Last published today - Monthly Reach
Unique listeners across all episodes (30 days)
16K to 84K🇺🇸80%🇲🇾13%🇮🇪3%+2 more - Active Followers
Loyal subscribers who consistently listen
8.7K to 46K
Market Insights
Platform Distribution
Reach across major podcast platforms, updated hourly
Total Followers
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Total Plays
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Total Reviews
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* Data sourced directly from platform APIs and aggregated hourly across all major podcast directories.
| Date | Episode | Topics | Guests | Brands | Places | Keywords | Sponsor | Length | |
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| 10/28/26 | The Release of Our Foodservice Tracker Tool for CPG Brands | In this bonus episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Daniel Scharff sits down with foodservice sales expert Jenna Cameron, founder of Jenna Cameron Consulting, to walk through Startup CPG’s brand new, free Foodservice Tracker and how early-stage brands can use it to build a smart foodservice strategy.Jenna has spent more than 12 years in foodservice sales, with experience at brands including JUST (formerly Hampton Creek), Alpha Foods, and Wild Earth, and has been consulting full time for about a year. She and Daniel worked together at JUST for about five years, and Jenna helped build the tracker, a first-of-its-kind resource of about 1,500 operators, distributors, and redistributors with contract management, distributor, segment, unit count, and early brand prioritization details, plus LinkedIn profiles for key contacts.Daniel and Jenna break down what’s inside the tracker, who is and isn’t on the list, and how to choose between back of house and front of house opportunities. They also cover how to pitch foodservice buyers, which trade shows are worth your money, how scrappy tactics like campus ambassadors and station takeovers can unlock your first accounts, and the mistakes that waste time and money in this channel.Listen in as they discuss:What’s inside the free Foodservice Tracker, from distributors and contract managers to early brand prioritizationWhy a tracker alone won’t get you into doors, and why focus matters more than hitting every accountWhy a Dot Foods contact told Daniel the list’s 1,500 entries are “the right 1,500” to start withHow to decide between back of house and front of house products, and which distributors fit eachWhich job titles to target, and why calling or texting chefs often beats emailWhy a foodservice pitch should be three to five slides, and why cooking alongside the culinary team beats a long deckWhich trade shows suit early-stage brands, and how a regional distributor win can grow into a national programHow scrappy tactics work, from asking a friend at a corporate office to enlisting campus vegetarian groupsWhy products must be plug and play, hold up in a high-heat oven, and solve a real operator problem like labor, cost, or prep timeHow to run a college station takeover that reaches 200 to 300 students at almost no costDownload the full tracker for free: bit.ly/cpgfoodservicetracker Want to connect with buyers, investors, and industry experts in real time? Join our free Slack community with over 40,000 members. Get access to exclusive events and trade shows where you can meet buyers and investors in person, plus free resources and more. Just text CPG to 833-605-7002 and we’ll get in touch.Episode Links:Jenna Cameron LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-cameron-a3253732Jenna Cameron Consulting Website: jennacameronconsulting.comJenna Cameron Instagram: @the_jenna_cameronContact Jenna directly: [email protected] Don’t forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (40K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Daniel’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danscharff/Questions or comments about the episode? Email [email protected] Episode music by Super Fantastics | 25m 56s | ||||||
| 10/27/26 | #272 Retailer Spotlight: Plum Market with Marc Jonna | In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Daniel Scharff sits down with Marc Jonna, Co-Founder and President of Plum Market, for a deep dive into the grocer’s founding story, its ethos, how it sources brands, and how emerging brands can get on its radar.Marc is a third-generation grocer who started working in his family’s wine and gourmet store at 14 and left college at 19 to run operations when his father got sick. After the family’s business was acquired by Whole Foods in 1998, Marc worked with John Mackey, joined the leadership team, and later left with his brother Matt to launch Plum Market in 2007 in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Today Plum Market operates in Michigan and Florida and has over 40 outlets, including airports, offices, private schools, and the Detroit Pistons Performance Center.Daniel and Marc dig into how the Plum Market name and icon came to be, where Marc sees grocery heading, why Plum carries virtually no private label, how the team helps emerging brands launch, how airport locations work, and what founders should do if they want to get in front of Plum Market’s buyers.Listen in as they discuss:The three-generation grocery story behind Plum Market, from a family wine store to a sale to Whole Foods and a fresh startHow the Plum Market name and plum-and-swish icon were createdWhere Marc sees grocery heading, from preventative health and traceability to shoppers wanting fewer, higher-quality ingredientsWhy Plum Market treats grocery as an experience, with brands as the “true stars”Why Plum carries essentially no private label, outside of food cooked in house from scratch, and why Marc thinks consumers will increasingly want to know who makes their foodHow Plum sources natural, organic, local, and gourmet brands, and why logistics decide whether a startup can get inHow Plum helps emerging brands launch, starting with the “magic wand” merchandising question, and why a win with an independent grocer can create FOMO among larger retailersHow Marc finds new products, from trade shows and travel to competitor stores and founders who DM him directlyWhy airports, offices, and schools are growth channels, and why authorized wholesalers like UNFI and KeHE are essential for airport placementWhere large-format and small-format stores fit into Plum Market’s growth plansBrands and names mentioned in this episode:Hot Girl Pickles - Leah Marcus and Yasaman BakhtiarClean Dough Cookies - Jake BagnallGato Dates - Gabriella Gains and Tonya ReznikovichLoonen water - Clara Sieg and David Kimmell Miracle Noodle Zingerman's Bell & EvansSnake River Farms Diamond RanchSea Smoke Merchant of VinoTrade Winds Want to connect with buyers, investors, and industry experts in real time? Join our free Slack community with over 40,000 members. Get access to exclusive events and trade shows where you can meet buyers and investors in person, plus free resources and more. Just text CPG to 833-605-7002 and we’ll get in touch.Episode Links:Marc Jonna LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/marc-jonna-3a9b4649Plum Market LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/plummarketPlum Market Website: www.plummarket.comPlum Market Instagram: @plummarketContact Marc directly: [email protected] Don’t forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (40K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Daniel’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danscharff/Questions or comments about the episode? Email [email protected] Episode music by Super Fantastics | 42m 29s | ||||||
| 10/26/26 | R&D RADIO: How Water Activity Keeps Shelf-Stable Food Safe, Crunchy, and Fresh | In this episode of R&D Radio, host Adam Yee sits down with Zachary Cartwright, Principal Food Scientist at AQUALAB by Addium, to break down one of the most important but least understood metrics in food science: water activity. They cover what water activity is, what the numbers mean, how it affects safety, texture, and shelf life, and how brands of any size can start testing for it.Zach holds a PhD in Food Science from Washington State University, where he also serves as adjunct faculty in the School of Food Science. Over the past seven years at AQUALAB, he has worked with thousands of food scientists across low-moisture food categories, and has applied moisture science to pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, cannabis, and even gunpowder and batteries. AQUALAB provides water activity, moisture analysis, and moisture sorption solutions that help food companies improve product quality, stability, shelf life, and food safety.Adam and Zach dig into the 0.6 water activity threshold for microbial growth, critical water activities that cause caking, sogginess, and sticky gummies, the difference between moisture content and water activity, and why packaging, temperature, and humidity matter so much. They also share practical ways for smaller brands to access testing, what to look for in a water activity meter, and how large manufacturers use water activity from incoming ingredients through production.Listen in as they discuss:What water activity really measures: the capacity of water to cause biological, chemical, and physical changes in a productWhy a water activity above 0.6 creates an environment where mold, yeast, and bacteria can growHow critical water activities drive caking and clumping in powders, lost crispness in snacks, and sweating in gummiesHow a water activity test works, from closed-chamber equilibrium to readings in as little as 60 secondsThe difference between moisture content and water activity, and how a moisture sorption isotherm helps predict shelf lifeWhen water activity matters less, like beverages, and where it still plays a role, from condiments to ice cream inclusionsWhy packaging should be decided before shelf life testing, and how sustainable packaging can change water vapor transmission ratesHow brands can access testing through universities, testing labs, or AQUALAB, and why in-house testing is idealWhat to look for in a meter: direct versus indirect sensors and temperature controlWhy clean label and preservative-free trends make water activity more important than everHow large manufacturers test incoming ingredients and every batch, and why smaller brands should “act like a bigger company”Want to connect with buyers, investors, and industry experts in real time? Join our free Slack community with over 40,000 members. Get access to exclusive events and trade shows where you can meet buyers and investors in person, plus free resources and more. Just text CPG to 833-605-7002 and we’ll get in touch.Episode Links:Zachary Cartwright LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-cartwrightAQUALAB LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/aqualab-by-addiumAQUALAB Website: www.aqualab.comContact Zachary directly: [email protected] Don’t forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (40K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Adam's LinkedInQuestions or comments about the episode? Email [email protected] Episode music by Super Fantastics | 32m 52s | ||||||
| 10/24/26 | Quality of Revenue Beats Growth: Why a Quick Costco Win Can Boom and Bust | In this Investor Spotlight, host Hannah Dittman sits down with Moira O’Connell, Vice President at Astō Consumer Partners, to unpack what late-stage consumer investors look for in a brand, how founders can tell whether an investor is the right fit, and what early-stage brands can learn from companies that have already scaled.Moira started her career in investment banking at Bank of America’s financial sponsors group before moving to the growth fund at L Catterton, where she worked across food, beverage, beauty, fitness, and consumer tech. She joined Astō during its first fundraise, drawn to the operator mindset of its founding partners, whose operating careers include Sweet Leaf Tea, Deep Eddy Vodka, and SkinnyPop. Astō is wholly focused on CPG and typically backs profitable brands above $40 million in sales through minority investments of $25 million to $75 million.Hannah and Moira dig into what “late-stage growth” means, the profile of a sweet spot company, and case studies including Clean Skin Club, Bloom Nutrition, and Starface. They also cover primary versus secondary capital, what it takes to grow from $1 million to $25 million and beyond, why alignment on valuation and growth levers saves everyone time, and how to find an investor who truly plays in your lane.Listen in as they discuss:How Astō’s late-stage approach sits between growth equity and private equity, with minority stakes and $25M to $75M checksHow the operating backgrounds of Astō’s partners shape the way they support foundersWhy brands with proven product-market fit still need a partner to manage execution riskWhat Clean Skin Club and Bloom Nutrition show about customer loyalty and growth levers like retail and new categoriesWhy Astō’s board members work alongside management on hiring, budgets, and channel strategyPrimary versus secondary capital, and why letting founders take some chips off the table can help them focusWhat it takes to get from $1 million to $25 million: nail the product, nail the messaging, and make a pivotal early hireWhy quality of revenue matters more than growth for its own sake, using Costco as an exampleWhy aligning on valuation and growth levers early saves founders and investors timeHow to find the right investor: study portfolios and check sizes, reach out on LinkedIn, and use resources like fractional CFO firmsWant to connect with buyers, investors, and industry experts in real time? Join our free Slack community with over 40,000 members. Get access to exclusive events and trade shows where you can meet buyers and investors in person, plus free resources and more. Just text CPG to 833-605-7002 and we’ll get in touch.Episode Links:Moira O’Connell LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/moira-o-connellAstō Consumer Partners LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/ast%C5%8D-consumer-partnersAstō Consumer Partners Website: www.Astoconsumer.com Contact Moira directly: [email protected] Don’t forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (40K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Hannah’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-dittman-011b844bQuestions or comments about the episode? Email [email protected] Episode music by Super Fantastics | 38m 00s | ||||||
| 10/23/26 | Scaling an Asian Medicine Brand into Whole Foods Market and Walmart | In this Founder Feature, host Caitlin Bricker sits down with Kai Lim and David Yu, co-founders of Reprise Health, a modern gummy brand making Eastern herbal wellness accessible and approachable, to talk about how they built a brand that now spans natural and conventional retail.Kai and David met in business school and bonded over the same childhood memory: grandmothers on two continents feeding them bitter herbal teas and soups. Kai grew up in Singapore, studied accounting and finance, and started his career at Boston Consulting Group. David studied math at UCLA, then spent his 20s abroad, including six years in Johannesburg managing international supply chains for hospitals and schools. After visiting Chinatown herb shops in New York and San Francisco, they noticed curious younger shoppers leaving empty-handed, and Reprise was born.Caitlin, Kai, and David dig into why gummies were the right format, how their formulas were developed with certified herbalists and a fifth-generation Taiwanese herbal medicine company, how every batch is lab tested three times, and what it took to pass Whole Foods’ quality and legal review. They also cover the strategy behind launching into Walmart with travel-size packs, growing from about 200 to over 2,000 doors in 12 months, and the founders agreement and weekly retrospective they use to keep their co-founder relationship strong.Listen in as they discuss:How grandmothers on two continents and a trip to Chinatown herb shops sparked the idea for RepriseWhy Reprise is a story of rediscovery, not family recipes passed downWhy gummies make ancient herbs approachable, with over 70% of customers having never tried ginseng beforeHow formulas were developed with herbalists and a family company in Tainan, Taiwan that has made herbal medicine since 1892How every batch is lab tested three times, with up to 70% of raw herbs rejected before extractionWhat it took to pass a five-month quality and legal review at Whole FoodsHow Reprise climbed to top-three rankings in sleep, turmeric, and menopause gummies at Whole Foods CaliforniaWhy a Whole Foods launch proved quality, and why Walmart tests the brand’s mission of accessWhy Reprise chose a 10-gummy travel pack for Walmart to make trial easyThe founders agreement, quarterly reviews, and Friday retrospectives that act as “resentment prevention devices”Want to connect with buyers, investors, and industry experts in real time? Join our free Slack community with over 40,000 members. Get access to exclusive events and trade shows where you can meet buyers and investors in person, plus free resources and more. Just text CPG to 833-605-7002 and we’ll get in touch.Episode Links:Kai Lim LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kai-lim-repriseDavid Yu LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/davidsyuReprise Health LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/reprise-healthReprise Health Website: www.reprisehealth.comReprise Health Instagram: @reprisehealthDon’t forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (40K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Caitlin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlinbricker/Questions or comments about the episode? Email [email protected] Episode music by Super Fantastics | 38m 10s | ||||||
| 10/20/26 | #271: Inside Scoop on Founders & Formulators Speed Dating | In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Daniel Scharff sits down with Megan Castellon of Syren Spreads, Andrew Kuzera of Ono, and food scientist Andrew Firestone of Firestone Consulting Group to give an inside look at Startup CPG’s first-ever Founders & Formulators event, where brands could get unlimited product feedback and find their ideal formulator match.Megan is Co-Founder and CEO of Syren Spreads, makers of Skinglow, a chocolate hazelnut spread built around Tremella and a blend of botanicals. Andrew Kuzera is the founder of Ono, a better-for-you protein soda with 12 grams of protein per can. Andrew Firestone is a food scientist with a background at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, TreeHouse Foods, and Comet, where he worked on upcycled fiber technology. He launched Firestone Consulting Group to give smaller founders flexible access to food science expertise.The group walks through how the event worked, from 70 brand pitches at the mic to formulators raising paddles auction-style, and what each guest got out of it: honest taste and texture feedback, new packaging and shelf life insights, a new food science vocabulary, supplier and co-manufacturer introductions, and in one case a brand-new formulator partnership. They also share practical tips on filtering feedback, choosing the right formulator, and preparing for a future event.Listen in as they discuss:Why Daniel created Founders & Formulators after watching brands spend years on products that weren’t ready for retailHow the event worked, from 70 brand pitches at the mic to formulators raising paddles for the briefs they could help withWhy food scientists give the honest taste and texture feedback that friends, family, and strangers won’tHow feedback on oxidation and light exposure has Syren Spreads considering a lighter botanical load and foil sachet packagingHow Andrew Kuzera went from self-formulating with AI tools to finding the language for what was off in his protein sodaWhy supplier certificates of analysis for the “same” ingredient can differ, and how sourcing affects cost of goodsHow formulators broker co-manufacturer and supplier relationships, not just recipesWhat independent formulators get out of the event, from leads to meeting clients face to faceHow to evaluate feedback from multiple formulators: check their past projects, trust the vibe, and go with your gutHow to prepare: review the formulator list, reach out on LinkedIn ahead of time, bring samples and a certificate of analysis, and exchange phone numbersThank you to our Founders & Formulators sponsors:pure cafApplied Food Sciences (AFS) (makers of PurCaf®, a green coffee caffeine)FlavorSum (flavor solutions)Marine Biologics (makers of SeaTex, a clean label seaweed ingredient)Browse the free Product Developer Database:Startup CPG’s database of hundreds of formulators and product development agencies is free on startupcpg.com under the Resources page. Product developers can use the submit button to be listed.Interested in sponsoring a future Founders & Formulators event?Email [email protected] Want to connect with buyers, investors, and industry experts in real time? Join our free Slack community with over 40,000 members. Get access to exclusive events and trade shows where you can meet buyers and investors in person, plus free resources and more. Just text CPG to 833-605-7002 and we’ll get in touch.Episode Links:Megan Castellon LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/megan-castellon-943530174Syren Spreads LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/syren-spreads-llc/homeSyren Spreads Website: www.syrenspreads.coSyren Spreads Instagram: @syrenspreadsAndrew Firestone LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-firestone-a84699192Firestone Consulting Group LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/firestone-food-beverage-consulting/homeFirestone Consulting Group Website: www.firestoneconsultinggroup.comContact Andrew Firestone directly: [email protected] Andrew Kuzera LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-kuzeraOno Website: www.drinkono.comOno Instagram: @drink.onoDon’t forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (40K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Daniel’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danscharff/Questions or comments about the episode? Email [email protected] Episode music by Super Fantastics | 42m 19s | ||||||
| 10/17/26 | Built to Scale: Lessons from a Founder Who Sold | In this Founder Fundraising Journey episode, host Hannah Dittman sits down with Zoë Sakoutis, Co-Founder and CEO of Bittman’s and founder of Blueprint, to trace her path from bootstrapping a cold-pressed juice brand to a full acquisition, and now to raising capital again for a whole grain sourdough brand.Zoë’s first business was a dog grooming shop in the basement of her family’s optometry center at age 12. She went on to found Blueprint with roughly $5,000 borrowed from her brother, scaled it profitably without outside capital, and sold it to Hain Celestial after five years, staying on for two more. Since then she has started other brands, advised founders, and angel invested, and four months ago she launched Bittman’s with Mark Bittman, starting with whole grain sourdough bread shipped nationwide to your door.Hannah and Zoë dig into what the acquisition process really looked like behind the scenes, why four production facilities, 10-year leases, and 120 employees complicated the deal, how discovering high pressure processing (HPP) unlocked retail for raw juice, what changes after the deal closes, and how fundraising for Bittman’s has shifted her perspective now that she is back on the founder side of the table.Listen in as they discuss:How a dog grooming shop at age 12 foreshadowed Zoë’s entrepreneurial careerHow Blueprint scaled profitably on a $5,000 loan from her brother with no outside capitalWhy a call from Howard Schultz signaled that the cold-pressed juice category was about to get crowdedWhy Zoë chose a full acquisition over a minority investment, and the “bird in the hand” thinking behind itWhat diligence really feels like, and how leases, facilities, and 120 employees complicated the dealHow discovering HPP gave raw juice a kill step, extended shelf life, and opened the door to retailWhy founders should think about their likely acquirer from day one, including whether to own or outsource productionWhat it is like to stay on after an acquisition and watch someone else run your brandWhy Zoë learned to hold a clear thesis while pitching, so she doesn’t “sell five different companies to five different people”How to explain team building in a fundraise, from staying lean to leveraging AIWant to connect with buyers, investors, and industry experts in real time? Join our free Slack community with over 40,000 members. Get access to exclusive events and trade shows where you can meet buyers and investors in person, plus free resources and more. Just text CPG to 833-605-7002 and we’ll get in touch.Episode Links:Zoë Sakoutis LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/Zoë-sakoutisBittman’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/bittmansBittman’s Website: www.bittmans.comBittman’s Instagram: @bittmansContact Zoë directly: [email protected] Don’t forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (40K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Hannah’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-dittman-011b844bQuestions or comments about the episode? Email [email protected] Episode music by Super Fantastics | 40m 42s | ||||||
| 10/16/26 | Kitchen to 4,000 Stores: The Cold Email That Launched a Ghee Snack Brand | In this Founder Feature, host Caitlin Bricker sits down with Darin Alpert, founder of Gheelish, a snack brand built around ghee, the clarified butter, as its star ingredient, for the story of how a cold email to Sprouts turned a kitchen popcorn recipe into a nationwide launch.Darin co-created Find Me Gluten Free about 12 years ago, an app that now has roughly 3 million users, and spent 15 years selling enterprise software to companies like Caterpillar, IBM, T-Mobile, and Costco before building a CPG brand of his own. With severe gluten and lactose intolerances, he struggled to find snacks free of seed oils, and a single SKU of ghee popcorn, discovered while his wife was pregnant, sparked the idea of building a whole platform around ghee.Caitlin and Darin dig into how Gheelish went from a kitchen to Sprouts nationwide in 2024, why second-time founders often focus on distribution before product, how ghee compares with tallow, what makes the brand’s air-popped popcorn lower in calories and fat than leading brands, and the sales-training science behind the cold outreach message that earned Darin a spot on the show.Listen in as they discuss:How his wife’s pregnancy and a single ghee popcorn SKU sparked the idea to build a snack platform around gheeWhat ghee actually is, and why its butyric acid has earned a reputation for gut-friendly benefitsHow Gheelish’s air-popped approach delivers about 30% fewer calories and nearly 60% less fat than leading popcorn brandsWhy second-time founders tend to focus on distribution before productHow a cold email to the Sprouts forager team and hand-labeled Sharpie bags led to a nationwide launchGrowth from roughly $300K in 2024 to about $2M in wholesale sales in 2025, with no D2C or AmazonThe protein cookie launching at Sprouts nationwide in December, and why Darin wishes he had launched cookies firstHow ghee and tallow compare, and why Darin calls ghee the “cousin” of the tallow movementThe science behind outbound messaging: lead with the lead, keep it short, and have a reason to existHow Startup CPG connected Darin with Grassroots Marketing for in-store sampling at SproutsWant to connect with buyers, investors, and industry experts in real time? Join our free Slack community with over 40,000 members. Get access to exclusive events and trade shows where you can meet buyers and investors in person, plus free resources and more. Just text CPG to 833-605-7002 and we’ll get in touch.Episode Links:Darin Alpert LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/darinalpertGheelish LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/gheelishGheelish Website: www.gheelish.comGheelish Instagram: @eatgheelishDon’t forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (40K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Caitlin’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/caitlinbrickerQuestions or comments about the episode? Email [email protected] Episode music by Super FantasticsGet holiday-ready with Walmart Marketplace | 30m 28s | ||||||
| 10/13/26 | #270 Insights from 34,000 in-store demos with Grassroots Marketing | In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Daniel Scharff sits down with David Heiser, Co-Founder of Grassroots Marketing, to walk through a new, free report analyzing 34,000 in-store demos at Whole Foods, Sprouts, Central Market, and Erewhon, and what it means for where, when, and how brands should spend their demo dollars.Grassroots runs demos and in-store sampling events across the country at major natural retailers and independents alike. Daniel first met David’s team while launching his own beverage brand at Erewhon, where Grassroots is the retailer’s official demo partner, and the two teamed up to turn years of Grassroots’ data into a first-of-its-kind resource. The analysis covers demos from 2021 onward, more than 500 brands, over 1,000 stores, and 19 states.Daniel and David break down the best days and times to demo, the strongest regions and states, and the top-performing individual stores at each chain, including a few surprises. They also share practical advice on demo kits, paper coupons, five-second pitches, handling skeptical shoppers, and why winning over store employees can change a brand’s trajectory at a store.Listen in as they discuss:Why Saturday leads the pack for demos, and why Monday midday was one of the biggest surprises in the dataWhy every top time slot falls between Friday and Monday, and when midweek demos still make senseWhich regions perform best for in-person sampling, and why dense metros winWhere to focus Sprouts demos, from Arizona and the Southwest to a standout San Diego-area clusterWhy Arizona and Florida stand out for Whole Foods, and why Orlando tops the store rankingsHow Erewhon’s top stores, led by Calabasas, differ from the iconic locations most brands expectWhy Central Market’s Austin stores are among the best places in the country to sampleHow dollars sold per demo compare across chains, and why Erewhon trades revenue for engagementWhy paper coupons, table runners, and simple demo kits convert better than most brands expectHow to craft a five-second pitch, handle skeptical shoppers, and turn store employees into advocatesGrassroots x Startup CPG full demo report will be released soon - sing up to our newsletter to get the full report when it is released (sorry for the delay! Finishing touches!)Book a call with Grassroots Marketing (special Startup CPG community rate): https://bit.ly/3FOybIPWant to connect with buyers, investors, and industry experts in real time? Join our free Slack community with over 40,000 members. Get access to exclusive events and trade shows where you can meet buyers and investors in person, plus free resources and more. Just text CPG to 833-605-7002 and we’ll get in touch.Episode Links:Book a call with Grassroots Marketing (special Startup CPG community rate): https://bit.ly/3FOybIPDon’t forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (40K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Daniel’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danscharff/Questions or comments about the episode? Email [email protected] Episode music by Super Fantastics | 45m 14s | ||||||
| 10/12/26 | R&D RADIO: Oil Analytics, Seed Oils and Adulterated Avocado Oil with Dr. Selina Wang of UC Davis | In this episode of R&D Radio, host and food scientist Adam Yee sits down with Dr. Selina Wang, chemist and Professor of Cooperative Extension at the University of California, Davis, to talk about a recent study suggesting that many store-bought products made with avocado oil may not contain 100% avocado oil.Dr. Wang is Faculty Director of the UC Davis Olive Center and an internationally recognized expert in edible oil quality, authenticity, and chemistry. Her early studies of supermarket olive oil helped inform California's olive oil standards adopted in 2014, and in 2020 her lab published the first comprehensive evaluation of commercial avocado oil quality and purity in the United States, revealing problems with oxidation and adulteration. Her team has since followed up with a study of private label brands and, most recently, products like chips, mayonnaise, and salad dressings.Adam and Dr. Wang trade notes scientist to scientist, covering how oil chemists tell fresh from stale and pure from adulterated, what "seed oil" really means in academic circles versus marketing, how fatty acid and sterol fingerprints expose substitutions, and what brands using avocado oil can do right now to verify what they are buying.Listen in as they discuss:What an edible oil chemist, or "fat chemist," actually studies when evaluating an oilHow extra virgin and refined olive oil differ, and why oxidation and purity markers matterWhat "seed oil" means to chemists versus how the term is used in consumer marketingWhy avocado oil has become a popular seed oil alternative despite costing roughly three times as muchHow UC Davis' three avocado oil studies expanded from bottled brands to private labels to finished productsHow oil is extracted from chips, mayonnaise, and dressings so it can be testedHow fatty acid and sterol fingerprints reveal substitution with high oleic sunflower or safflower oilWhy testing fatty acids alone can miss a carefully blended oilWhy relying solely on a supplier's certificate of analysis can leave brands exposedDr. Wang's practical advice for brands: test fatty acids and sterols, and treat suspiciously low prices as a red flagWant to connect with buyers, investors, and industry experts in real time? Join our free Slack community with over 40,000 members. Get access to exclusive events and trade shows where you can meet buyers and investors in person, plus free resources and more. Just text CPG to 833-605-7002 and we'll get in touch.Avocado Oil Quality and Authenticity Workshop: Dr. Wang is hosting an in-person workshop at UC Davis on October 23rd covering her research, analytical methods, how to interpret a certificate of analysis, and a hands-on sensory evaluation. Registration link: www.registration.ucdavis.edu/Item/Details/1413 Episode Links:Dr. Selina Wang LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/selinawangphdDr. Selina Wang Instagram: @profselinawangUC Food Quality Lab Website: www.ucfoodquality.ucdavis.eduUniversity of California, Davis LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/school/uc-davis Contact Dr. Wang directly: [email protected] Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to "Transcript" at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (40K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Adam's LinkedInQuestions or comments about the episode? Email [email protected] Episode music by Super Fantastics | 29m 54s | ||||||
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| 10/10/26 | How to Ask Someone to Invest in Your CPG Brand, with Fave's Ryan Raish | In this Founder Fundraising Journey episode, host Hannah Dittman sits down with Ryan Raish, founder of Fave, a first-to-market certified organic powdered drink mix bringing nostalgic flavors back to the category without artificial colors, flavors, or excess sugar.Ryan has spent nearly two decades in CPG, working his way from grassroots demos at Guayaki to building out the West Coast for Honest Tea, a 10-year run at Popchips, and stints at Super Coffee and Chloe's Fruit Pops. The idea for Fave came to him in a grocery store aisle, watching his five-year-old beg for Kool-Aid loaded with artificial dye and 40+ grams of sugar, and realizing there was no "better-for-you" option in the massive, non-functional powdered drink mix category.Hannah and Ryan dig into the two-year R&D process he self-funded before ever asking for capital, how a chance conversation with Popchips founder Keith Belling turned into his first advisor and investor, how retailer feedback shaped the product before a single dollar was raised, and the real differences between pitching investors and pitching retail buyers.Listen in as they discuss:Ryan's 20-year path through CPG, from grassroots demos at Guayaki to a decade at PopchipsThe grocery store moment with his kids that sparked the idea for FaveWhy he spent nearly two years self-funding R&D before ever asking for outside capitalHow Popchips founder Keith Belling turned into his first investor and advisorHow early retailer feedback from Target shaped Fave's formulation before fundraising even beganThe pre-seed round born from a happy hour conversation at Expo West with Angel GroupHow retailer validation (Thrive Market, QVC, Sprouts) built the case for a full seed roundThe key differences between pitching investors and pitching retail buyers, and where they overlapRyan's advice on building investor relationships well before you actually need the capitalEpisode Links:Ryan Raish LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ryanraishFave LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/108173111Fave Website: favemixes.comFave Instagram: @favemixesContact Ryan directly: [email protected] Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to "Transcript" at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (40K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Hannah's LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-dittman-011b844bQuestions or comments about the episode? Email [email protected] Episode music by Super Fantastics | 38m 23s | ||||||
| 10/9/26 | Reinventing the Pizza Bagel: Bagelverse's Jacob Cooper on Nostalgia and CPG | In this Founder Feature, host Caitlin Bricker sits down with Jacob Cooper, founder of Bagelverse, who's reinventing the classic pizza bagel with real mini New York bagels and bold flavors like spicy vodka and barbecue chicken.Jacob spent eight years as a CTO in AI and tech before making a complete 180 to chase a childhood nostalgic idea. He launched Bagelverse in April 2026, and in the months since has sold over 80,000 pizza bagels through pop-ups around New York City, won a Shelfie Award, and had one of the most visited booths at Summer Fancy Food.Caitlin and Jacob dig into his unconventional career pivot, the surprisingly complex supply chain behind a "simple" pizza bagel (which requires two separate co-packers), why packaging might be the single most important investment an emerging brand can make, and how he's building genuine, long-term relationships with retailers a year in advance of launch.Listen in as they discuss:Jacob's total pivot from eight years as a CTO in AI and tech to founding BagelverseWhy he built the brand entirely through in-person pop-ups and farmer's markets before ever touching CPGThe surprising complexity behind a "simple" pizza bagel, and why it requires two separate co-packersWhy he intentionally delayed finding a co-packer until he knew the brand had real tractionWhat Jacob learned about follow-up and note-taking after having one of the busiest booths at Summer Fancy FoodWhy big retailers plan shelf resets up to a year in advance, and how that timeline actually works in a founder's favorWhy staying in touch with retailers and buyers without always having an ask builds real, lasting relationshipsWhy Jacob believes packaging is the single most important investment an emerging brand can makeHow Bagelverse is being intentional about which retailers to pursue first, rather than chasing every opportunityWhere to find Bagelverse today, from NYC pop-ups to the brand's farmer's market side project, Little BagelWant to connect with buyers, investors, and industry experts in real time? Join our free Slack community with over 40,000 members. Get access to exclusive events and trade shows where you can meet buyers and investors in person, plus free resources and more. Just text CPG to 833-605-7002 and we'll get in touch.Episode Links:Jacob Cooper LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/pizzabagel-guyBagelverse LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/thebagelverse/homeBagelverse Website: www.thebagelverse.comBagelverse Instagram: @pizzabagel.nycDon't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to "Transcript" at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (40K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Caitlin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlinbricker/Questions or comments about the episode? Email [email protected] Episode music by Super Fantastics | 29m 18s | ||||||
| 10/6/26 | #269 Retailer Spotlight: Mariano's, with Amanda Puck | In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Daniel Scharff sits down with Amanda Puck, Vice President of Communications and Brand Development for Roundy's, for the "Mariano's 101" episode listeners have been asking for.Amanda has been with Mariano's since 2014, working in the grocery retail business after years in restaurants and a lifelong love of grocery shopping that started as a kid clipping coupons with her grandmother. Today she leads communications, brand strategy, and community engagement for Mariano's and Metro Market, both banners of Kroger with deep Midwest roots dating back 150 years to Roundy's founding.Daniel and Amanda dig into what makes Mariano's feel like a European-style food discovery market, how the team runs its twice-yearly "What's Next at Mariano's" local vendor search, the exact requirements brands need (a GS1 barcode, a distributor, a sampling plan) to get considered, and real examples of local brands, from Ava's Pet Palace to Caruso Provisions, that found success on Mariano's shelves.Listen in as they discuss:What makes Mariano's and Metro Market feel like a European-style food discovery marketMidwest-specific food trends, from cheese and cheese curds to frozen pizza and Chicago classicsHow Mariano's meets customers wherever they are, from quick app pickup orders to in-store discoveryHow Mariano's shows up for the community, including partnerships with local nonprofits and chefsThe twice-yearly "What's Next at Mariano's" and "What's Next at Metro Market" vendor search programThe core requirements every local brand needs before pitching, including a GS1 barcode and a distributorWhy grassroots in-store sampling remains one of the most effective ways to drive real sales conversionReal success stories from local vendors, including Ava's Pet Palace, Laos to Your House, and Caruso ProvisionsThe distributors Mariano's works with most often, including KeHE, Norman, and JFIWhat categories and trends Mariano's is most excited about right now, from protein snacks to pet foodEpisode Links:Amanda Puck LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-puck-2734745Amanda Puck Instagram: @amandapuckMariano's LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/mariano's/homeMariano's Website: www.marianos.comMariano's Instagram: @marianosmarketLocal vendor inquiries: [email protected] Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to "Transcript" at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (40K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Daniel's LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/danscharffQuestions or comments about the episode? Email [email protected] Episode music by Super Fantastics | 40m 37s | ||||||
| 10/3/26 | Partnership Not Ownership: Inside Main Post Partners' Investment Approach | In this Investor Spotlight, host Hannah Dittman sits down with Tara Hyland, Principal at Main Post Partners, to break down how growth equity differs from venture capital and what founders should understand about building an enduring consumer business.Tara's path to Main Post started in investment banking on a consumer-focused food and beverage team, followed by a move into private equity at Swander Pace Capital. She joined Main Post, a consumer-focused private equity firm known for its "partnership not ownership" philosophy, in 2020, and works primarily with founder-led businesses navigating their first institutional capital raise.Hannah and Tara dig into the key pillars Main Post considers during diligence, why management team strength is so critical to an investment decision, what investors actually mean when they call a company a "lifestyle business," how investors evaluate exit potential, and what separates a great business from one that's truly ready for institutional capital.Listen in as they discuss:How Main Post's growth equity approach differs from venture capital and private equityThe firm's investment criteria, check sizes, and its "partnership not ownership" philosophyThe Main Post mentorship group, and how the firm supports founders beyond just capitalWhat exit potential really means, and how investors evaluate a business's remaining "white space"The financial benchmarks (growth rate, gross margin, differentiation) common across Main Post's successful exitsWhy a strong, scalable management team matters as much as the product itselfThe difference between a strategic buyer looking for portfolio protection versus a true portfolio gapWhat Main Post looks for in early diligence conversations, from brand differentiation to founder buy-inWhy omnichannel presence, not just strong DTC metrics, has become critical for CPG investment todayWhat investors mean by a "lifestyle business," and why it isn't necessarily a bad thingEpisode Links:Tara Hyland LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tara-hyland-60a94021Main Post Partners LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/mainpostpartners/homeMain Post Partners Website: www.mainpostpartners.comContact Tara directly: [email protected] Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to "Transcript" at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (40K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Hannah's LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-dittman-011b844bQuestions or comments about the episode? Email [email protected] Episode music by Super Fantastics | 35m 04s | ||||||
| 10/2/26 | Why This Architect is Choosing to Build a National CPG Wellness Brand | In this Founder Feature, host Caitlin Bricker sits down with Jane Kate Wong, founder of Noon World, a cognitive wellness company making dual-layer gummies designed for mind, mood, focus, chill, and sleep.Jane's path to Noon ran through architecture, where she designed urban planning projects, high-end residential and commercial spaces, and cultural centers, before moving into interaction design at Nike, Google, and Apple. After burning out from that work, she built Noon as a culmination of her interests in design, technology, and health, focused on what she believes is the next frontier of wellness: cognition. Her design background shows up everywhere in the brand, from the minimalist, neuro-aesthetic booth that stood out at Expo West 2025 to the scientifically engineered dual-layer gummy format built for better bioavailability.Caitlin and Jane dig into why Noon deliberately avoided conventional grocery retail early on, what led to a nationwide Target rollout instead, how the brand uses UGC and partnerships with names like Valentino and Adidas to build trust without traditional in-store demos, and why she believes patience and integrity, not fast wins, are what will separate lasting wellness brands from the rest.Listen in as they discuss:What Noon World is, and how it's built around cognitive wellness rather than a single use caseThe neuro-aesthetic thinking behind Noon's standout, minimalist Expo West 2025 boothHow Jane's background in architecture and interaction design at Nike, Google, and Apple shapes Noon's product philosophyWhy Noon's dual-layer, dual-cast gummy format was engineered for better ingredient loading and faster absorptionWhy Noon initially failed at conventional grocery retail, and what that taught Jane about her categoryHow Noon's nationwide Target rollout differs from a typical CPG retail launch strategyWhy Noon relies on UGC and partnerships (like one with Hummingbirds) instead of in-store demos to educate shoppersThe unconventional brand partnerships Noon has built with Valentino, Adidas, Goop, and othersThe difference between "optimizing" and "calibrating" your mind, and how that shapes Noon's product designJane's advice to wellness founders: hold onto integrity and long-term thinking in a crowded, trend-driven categoryWant to connect with buyers, investors, and industry experts in real time? Join our free Slack community with over 40,000 members. Get access to exclusive events and trade shows where you can meet buyers and investors in person, plus free resources and more. Just text CPG to 833-605-7002 and we'll get in touch.Episode Links:Jane Kate Wong LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/janekatewongNoon World LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/noonworldNoon World Website: www.noon.worldNoon World Instagram: @itsnoon.worldDon't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to "Transcript" at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (40K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Caitlin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlinbricker/Questions or comments about the episode? Email [email protected] Episode music by Super Fantastics | 31m 17s | ||||||
| 9/29/26 | #268 The Rise of Gymkhana Fine Foods with Gulrez Arora | In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Daniel Scharff sits down with his longtime friend Gulrez Arora, founder of Gymkhana Fine Foods, the retail brand born out of London's two-Michelin-star Gymkhana restaurant, to talk about building a global premium Indian food brand from scratch.Gulrez and Daniel first met working together at Mars, where Gulrez spent nearly a decade in strategy roles across Asia Pacific chocolate and later ran an internal innovation and venture studio program. That experience taught him how hard it is to manufacture true founder energy inside a large corporation, and eventually led him to London, where a chance introduction to the founders of JKS Restaurant Group (the team behind Gymkhana) sparked the idea of bringing the restaurant's uncompromising culinary standard into center store.Daniel and Gulrez dig into the year-long process of translating Gymkhana's restaurant recipes into shelf-stable products without cutting corners, the hybrid in-house and co-packed manufacturing model built to protect quality, why the brand has driven outsized category growth and incrementality everywhere it launches, and how lessons from Mars and consulting shaped Gulrez's approach to scaling in both the UK and the US.Listen in as they discuss:How Gulrez's decade at Mars, including running an internal venture studio, shaped his instincts as a founderThe serendipitous introduction to JKS Restaurant Group that led to the Gymkhana retail partnershipWhy the team waited over a year to launch, refusing to bring a product to market they weren't fully proud ofThe multi-layered, restaurant-style cooking process behind Gymkhana's sauces, and why there are no shortcutsThe hybrid manufacturing model, with 40 to 50% of products made in-house and the rest co-packedGymkhana's current product lineup, from simmer sauces to marinades, and what's coming nextWhy the brand has driven 900% category growth in the UK, with the majority of sales fully incrementalHow Gymkhana's in-store activation strategy, especially near meat and poultry, drives trial and repeat purchaseThe differences between building awareness in the UK versus the US, where Indian food is less culturally embeddedGymkhana's $8.5 million Series A with CAVU Ventures, and how that partnership has shaped the brand's growthEpisode Links:Gulrez Arora LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gulrez-arora-2b40208Gymkhana Fine Foods LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/gymkhana-fine-foods-ltdGymkhana Fine Foods Website: www.gymkhanafinefoods.comGymkhana Fine Foods Instagram: @gymkhanafinefoodsDon't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to "Transcript" at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (40K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Daniel's LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/danscharffQuestions or comments about the episode? Email [email protected] Episode music by Super Fantastics | 40m 31s | ||||||
| 9/28/26 | R&D RADIO: The Real Science Behind Sugar Replacement with Icon Foods' Thom King | In this episode of R&D Radio, host Adam Yee sits down with longtime friend Thom King, Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Icon Foods, for a deep dive on sweetener systems from a food scientist's perspective.Thom founded Icon Foods in 1999 (originally as Steviva Brands), becoming one of the first companies to import stevia glycosides into the US. After partnering with Quest Nutrition on their first bar, the company shifted fully into ingredient supply, eventually rebranding to Icon Foods and expanding into rare sugars, fibers, and polyols. Thom holds a Master's degree in Food Science from Cornell and has spent decades helping brands solve one of the industry's toughest problems: removing sugar without sacrificing taste, texture, or consumer acceptance.Adam and Thom break down the eight functions of sugar beyond sweetness, why fiber stacking (as seen in brands like Olipop) helps avoid gut discomfort while boosting mouthfeel, and how sweeteners like erythritol, allulose, and tagatose each behave differently in formulation. They also dig into supply chain timing, tariffs, and Thom's practical advice for founders working with a formulator versus experimenting solo in the kitchen.Listen in as they discuss:The eight core functions of sugar that formulators have to account for beyond sweetnessWhy fiber stacking, like Olipop's approach, helps avoid GI discomfort while replicating sugar's viscosityA breakdown of common alternative sweeteners, including erythritol, allulose, and monk fruit, and where each works bestWhy stacking sweeteners (like erythritol with allulose and a high-intensity sweetener) often beats using just oneHow monk fruit and stevia combined can actually mask each other's bitter off-notesWhat tagatose is, how it’s made from lactose, and why it scorches faster than other reducing sugars in baked goodsWhy allulose not being accepted at Whole Foods may matter less than founders think, and why Target can be a stronger retail runwayWhy vegetable glycerin is an underrated tool for preventing bars and baked goods from going stale or crumblyHow protein-based sweetness modulators like thaumatin work, and why they need a sweetener backbone to succeedThe supply chain outlook for monk fruit, stevia, allulose, tagatose, and erythritol, including when to buy monk fruit and why to start planning 2027 purchases nowWhy founders should work with a professional formulator rather than scaling a kitchen recipe directlyEpisode Links:Thom King LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/iconicthomIcon Foods LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/icon-foods-ingredientsIcon Foods Website: www.iconfoods.comIcon Foods Facebook: www.facebook.com/iconfoodsingredientsContact Thom directly: [email protected] Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to "Transcript" at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (40K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Adam's LinkedInQuestions or comments about the episode? Email [email protected] Episode music by Super Fantastics | 31m 04s | ||||||
| 9/26/26 | How "Taste to Retain" Built a Billion-Dollar Supplement Brand | In this Operator Spotlight, host Hannah Dittman sits down with Hye Rin (Juliet) Choi, VP of Product at Grüns, to unpack the product philosophy and process behind one of the fastest billion-dollar acquisitions in CPG history.Hye Rin (Juliet) started her career in brand management at Johnson & Johnson's consumer health division, working on brands like Neutrogena and Tylenol, before pursuing her MBA at Stanford, where she met Grüns founder and CEO Chad Janis. She joined as employee number nine and the company's first product hire, helping build the product function from the ground up as Grüns scaled to over 130 employees and was acquired by Unilever roughly three years after launch.Hannah and Hye Rin (Juliet) dig into the "taste to retain" philosophy that drives Grüns' product decisions, the rigorous, multi-stage testing process behind every formula, why bringing R&D and science/regulatory in-house was one of the company's biggest unlocks, and what it actually takes - sometimes 30 to 40 iterations - to bring a new gummy to market.Listen in as they discuss:How Hye Rin (Juliet) went from brand management at Johnson & Johnson to becoming Grüns' first product hireThe "taste to retain" philosophy behind Grüns' approach to product innovationWhy solving for daily adherence, not just efficacy, was the real unlock behind Grüns' successHow Grüns collects and acts on customer feedback throughout the entire development processWhy 30 to 40 iterations are often needed to land a more complex gummy formulationThe multi-stage testing process, from lab-scale research to third-party labs, that ensures product efficacyWhy bringing R&D and science/regulatory functions in-house transformed Grüns' quality and speedThe unique manufacturing challenges of working with gummies, from texture to shelf-life stabilityHow Grüns evaluates whether a new product category or line extension is worth pursuingHye Rin (Juliet)'s advice on documentation, version control, and protecting IP as a brand scalesEpisode Links:Hye Rin (Juliet) Choi LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/julietchoiGrüns LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/GrunsGrüns Website: www.Gruns.coGrüns Instagram: www.instagram.com/GrunsdailyDon't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to "Transcript" at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (40K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Hannah's LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-dittman-011b844bQuestions or comments about the episode? Email [email protected] Episode music by Super Fantastics | 41m 42s | ||||||
| 9/25/26 | How This Ex-Attorney Reinvented Hard Candy as a Health Tool | In this Founder Feature, host Caitlin Bricker sits down with Erica Haft, founder of Sweeter Collective, an organic hard candy brand modernizing the category with just 16 calories, less than 3 grams of sugar, and nearly 2 grams of fiber per piece.Erica spent almost 10 years as an attorney before leaving law behind to build the brand. Her inspiration was close to home: her mother, a registered dietitian, has eaten hard candy daily for over 30 years to satisfy her sweet tooth without derailing her health goals. After nearly two years of R&D, including an early attempt at the old-school "panning" technique used for jawbreakers, Erica landed on a boiling method using soluble tapioca fiber and oats to create a long-lasting, slow-dissolving candy in a custom round sphere mold.Caitlin and Erica dig into why the panning technique didn't work out, how Erica found a co-manufacturer willing to make an unconventional round candy shape, the planetary branding inspired by her hometown of Jupiter, Florida, real feedback from in-store demos at Sprouts, and how she's positioning hard candy not as a treat to restrict, but as a daily tool for mindfulness and control.Listen in as they discuss:How Erica's mother's 30-year hard candy habit as a registered dietitian sparked the idea for Sweeter CollectiveWhy Erica initially tried the old-school "panning" technique used for jawbreakers, and why it didn't workHow she landed on a boiling method using soluble tapioca fiber and oats for a slow-dissolving candyWhy finding a co-manufacturer with a round sphere mold (instead of the standard disc shape) took monthsThe planetary branding, inspired by her hometown of Jupiter, Florida, that shapes the "Sweeter Universe" conceptReal customer feedback from in-store demos at Sprouts, including hesitation around price pointWhy Erica frames Sweeter Pops as "the cheapest tool in your toolbox" compared to other wellness spendHow the brand is evolving its packaging to better educate shelf shoppers on what makes it differentWhy positioning hard candy as a mindfulness tool, not a restriction, is central to the brand's messageWhat's next for Sweeter Collective, including a packaging refresh and dream flavor collaborations🍬 Listener Perk: Use code STARTUPCPG for 10% off your order at sweetercollective.com - one-time use per customer.Episode Links:Erica Haft LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ericahaftSweeter Collective LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/sweetercollectiveSweeter Collective Website: www.sweetercollective.comSweeter Collective Instagram: www.instagram.com/sweetercollectiveSweeter Collective TikTok: @sweetercollectiveDon't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to "Transcript" at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (40K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Caitlin's LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/caitlinbrickerQuestions or comments about the episode? Email [email protected] Episode music by Super Fantastics | 30m 05s | ||||||
| 9/23/26 | Should You Apply for Startup CPG's Founders & Funders? | In this bonus solo episode, host Daniel Scharff breaks down everything founders need to know about Founders & Funders, Startup CPG's flagship fundraising event happening December 10th in New York City, to help you decide whether you should apply.Daniel explains why he built the event: after hearing founders describe spending up to 50% of their time on fundraising, he wanted to create a highly efficient, application-based summit that brings together the top 100 VCs in emerging CPG with the community's strongest brands for a single, high-impact day. Unlike the free, ticketed regional roadshows Startup CPG runs throughout the year, the December event is capped, competitive, and application-based, designed around fast, curated one-on-one meetings rather than open networking alone.Daniel walks through exactly how the day works, from the one-pager application brands submit ahead of time (which VCs review to select the meetings they want) to what a typical five-to-ten-minute investor conversation actually looks like. He also shares who's already confirmed to attend, from major retailers to dozens of top consumer VC firms, and offers honest, practical advice on applying, including how early you should apply and what actually matters in your application video.Listen in as he covers:Why Daniel created Founders & Funders after hearing founders describe spending half their time on fundraisingThe difference between Startup CPG's free, ticketed roadshows and the application-based December summitHow the one-pager application works, and why VCs use it to pre-select which brands they want to meetWhat a typical one-on-one meeting at the event actually looks like, and how long they really lastWhy Daniel believes even brands not actively fundraising yet should consider applying for 2027The retailers and VCs already confirmed to attend this year's event, including 7-Eleven Ventures, Albertsons, Walmart, and dozens of leading consumer VC firmsHow the rolling, batch-based application review process works, and why applying early mattersWhat to actually include in your application video, and why it doesn't need to be polishedWhy building relationships with investors early, even before you're ready to raise, pays off laterHow the roadshows can be a great alternative or complement for brands who aren't accepted to the December eventApply for Founders & Funders by Startup CPG: https://bit.ly/podcastfnfEpisodes mentioned in this episode:Inside Founders & Funders with Alex Michaelsen from Leisure Hydration and Alex Malamatinas from MelitasFounder + Funder: Alex Michaelsen, Founder of Leisure Hydration and Ryan Springer, Midnight Venture PartnersDon't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to "Transcript" at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (40K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Daniel's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danscharff/Questions or comments about the episode? Email [email protected] Episode music by Super Fantastics | 20m 25s | ||||||
| 9/22/26 | #267: Term Sheets 101 with Giannuzzi Lewendon | In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Daniel Scharff sits down with Adam Marsh and Gabrielle McGonagle, partners at Giannuzzi Lewendon, a top-tier CPG law firm, for a deep dive on term sheets and what every founder needs to understand before raising capital.Adam has spent nearly 13 years practicing law focused on the CPG space, while Gabrielle brings over a decade of experience at the firm, including work on major exits like BodyArmor's $8 billion sale. Together, they've guided countless CPG brands through fundraising, from pre-revenue startups to companies doing nine figures in revenue, and are frequent partners of Startup CPG's Founders and Funders events.Daniel, Adam, and Gabrielle break down what a term sheet actually is, why founders should consider proposing their own terms instead of waiting on investors, and the key levers, beyond valuation, that determine how good a deal really is. They cover protective provisions, board control, liquidation preferences, option pools, redemption rights, and more, offering founders a practical framework for knowing what to fight for and what to let go.Listen in as they discuss:What a term sheet actually is, and why founders should consider proposing their ownWhy negotiating a term sheet properly upfront saves time and money in the long runWhat investor blocking rights (protective provisions) are, and how far they can extendWhy a seemingly small board block can function as a backdoor block on future financingThe critical difference between protective provisions held by an investor versus a board directorWhy budget approval rights should stay at the board level, not the investor levelHow founders can maintain board control even as the board grows with each funding roundThe difference between participating and non-participating preferred stock, and why it mattersHow option pools work, and why founders should push for them to be calculated post-moneyWhat redemption rights, pro rata rights, and reporting obligations mean for founders long-termEpisode Links:Adam Marsh LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/adam-marsh-847a8571Gabrielle McGonagle LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielle-mcgonagle-803b2b21Giannuzzi Lewendon LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/giannuzzi-lewendon-llpGiannuzzi Lewendon Website: www.gllaw.usGiannuzzi Lewendon Instagram: @giannuzzilewendonContact Adam directly: [email protected] Contact Gabrielle directly: [email protected] Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to "Transcript" at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (40K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Daniel's LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/danscharffQuestions or comments about the episode? Email [email protected] Episode music by Super Fantastics | 44m 30s | ||||||
| 9/19/26 | The 4-Part Diligence Framework Every Founder Should Know | In this Investor Spotlight, host Hannah Dittman sits down with Ashley Hartman, Managing Partner at Bluestein Ventures, an early-stage firm investing at the intersection of culture, science, and technology in modern wellbeing and consumer brands.Ashley's path to venture capital ran through financial consulting at NERA Economic Consulting and then operating strategy at her family's manufacturing business, giving her a rare blend of analytical rigor and hands-on operating experience. She's now co-Managing Partner at Bluestein Ventures, which evolved from a family office into an independent, family-backed VC fund, and has made more than 40 investments across her career, primarily at seed through Series A.Hannah and Ashley dig into Bluestein's four-part diligence framework, the "unicorn" combination of traits Ashley looks for in a founder, why rapid growth can quietly mask a fragile business, what the first 90 days after an investment actually looks like, and how founders should think about timing their next raise.Listen in as they discuss:Bluestein Ventures' focus, check sizes, and the market forces shaping its investment thesisHow family office capital differs from traditional venture capital, and what that means for foundersThe four-part scorecard Bluestein uses in diligence: vision, playbook, engine, and termsThe key CPG metrics Ashley wants founders to know cold, from net revenue by channel to LTV/CACThe rare "unicorn" combination of vision and operational depth Ashley looks for in foundersWhy broad distribution right out of the gate is often a red flag, not a strengthWhat the first 90 days of a new investment partnership typically looks likeWhy growth can conceal a fragile business, and what "capital efficiency" really means in practiceHow Bluestein supports portfolio companies through setbacks, using two real (anonymized) examplesAshley's framework for knowing exactly when a founder is ready to raiseEpisode Links:Ashley Hartman LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyhartman2Bluestein Ventures LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/bluesteinventuresBluestein Ventures Website: www.bluesteinventures.comBluestein Ventures X: @BluesteinVCDon't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to "Transcript" at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (40K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Hannah's LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-dittman-011b844bQuestions or comments about the episode? Email [email protected] Episode music by Super Fantastics | 36m 26s | ||||||
| 9/18/26 | Meat Stick Who? How TofuGo Turned Tofu Into a Viral Protein Snack | In this Founder Feature, host Caitlin Bricker sits down with Caroline Dai, founder of TofuGo, a savory protein snack made from whole foods tofu with 12 grams of protein, zero sugar, and zero natural flavors.Caroline grew up eating tofu daily in her Chinese family before moving to Seattle at age 13. After years working in business and finance, constantly snacking on sugary protein bars at her desk, she realized there was nothing savory, whole-food, and additive-free on the market. She launched TofuGo in March 2026, and just two weeks later, a simple living-room video went viral with over 350,000 views. Five months in, the brand is now in over 40 U.S. states and Canadian provinces, with a growing base of repeat subscribers.Caitlin and Caroline dig into the craveable, ancient Chinese culinary craftsmanship behind the product, why she's intentionally staying savory instead of chasing every trend, how strong sell-through data has changed retailer conversations, and her vision for TofuGo as a nationwide, mainstream snack accessible to vegans, fitness enthusiasts, and families alike.Listen in as they discuss:How growing up eating tofu daily in a Chinese household inspired Caroline to build TofuGoThe unscripted, low-production living room video that hit 350,000 views two weeks after launchWhy TofuGo's two current flavors, soy barbecue and spicy chili, were chosen to bridge Asian flavors with mainstream American snackingThe ancient Chinese culinary technique behind removing water content to turn fresh tofu into a shelf-stable snackWhy TofuGo intentionally stays focused on two SKUs instead of expanding the lineup too quicklyHow the packaging design, inspired by Chinese red envelopes, became a core part of the brand's identityWhy strong in-store velocity data has helped overcome retailer skepticism about "niche" Asian flavorsHow TofuGo built inbound international demand, including an upcoming UK launch, without deliberately pursuing itWhat's next for the brand, including an Amazon launch, more flavors, and continued retail conversationsCaroline's advice for early-stage founders on getting comfortable being the face of their brandEpisode Links:Caroline Dai LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-daiTofuGo Snacks LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/tofugoTofuGo Snacks Website: www.tofugosnacks.comTofuGo Snacks Instagram: @tofugosnacksDon't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to "Transcript" at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (40K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Caitlin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlinbricker/Questions or comments about the episode? Email [email protected] Episode music by Super Fantastics | 25m 55s | ||||||
| 9/15/26 | #266: Building an Organic Social Media Following with Lindzi Shanks, XO Marshmallow | In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Daniel Scharff sits down with Lindzi Shanks, founder and CEO of XO Marshmallow, to unpack how she built an organic social following of 1.4 million across platforms and turned it into real, trackable sales.Lindzi started XO Marshmallow 10 years ago with a background as an influencer and blogger, designing the brand from day one to be visually shareable. As short-form video took off, she realized the marshmallow-making process itself was perfectly suited to content, from ASMR-style pulling and pouring to behind-the-scenes factory footage. That instinct, paired with a willingness to constantly experiment and adapt, has turned XO into one of the most recognizable brands in confectionery, generating millions in revenue through social content and more than $2 million in TikTok Shop sales alone.Daniel and Lindzi dig into how each platform (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook) plays a completely different role in her strategy, how she turned a single negative comment into a 26-million-view video and a still-converting ad, why viral views don't always translate to sales, and how she batches content, keeps customers coming back, and now approaches an upcoming retail expansion.Listen in as they discuss:Why Lindzi designed XO Marshmallow to be visually shareable from day one, before short-form video existedHow TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube each reward completely different types of contentWhy "blame your content, not the algorithm" when something stops performingHow a single negative TikTok comment turned into a 26-million-view video and a still-converting adWhy viral views don't always translate into sales, and which platforms actually drive purchasesHow XO Marshmallow batches content one day a week and uses a freelance editor to scale outputWhy reusing years of old B-roll footage can create content that feels brand newHow XO Marshmallow drives repeat purchases and reorder rates through community programs like Troop XO and Camp CapWhy TikTok Shop customers are hard to retain, and how postcards and discount inserts help win them backWhy XO Marshmallow is redesigning its packaging and shelf life ahead of a retail expansionEpisode Links:Lindzi Shanks LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lindzi-shanks-6689b6101Lindzi Shanks Instagram: @lindzi.shanksXO Marshmallow LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/xo-marshmallowXO Marshmallow Website: www.xomarshmallow.comXO Marshmallow Instagram: @xo.marshmallowXO Marshmallow Facebook: www.facebook.com/xomarshmallowXO Marshmallow YouTube: xomarshmallowXO Marshmallow Pinterest: za.pinterest.com/xomarshmallowXO Marshmallow TikTok: @xo.marshmallowDon't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to "Transcript" at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (40K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Daniel's LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/danscharffQuestions or comments about the episode? Email [email protected] Episode music by Super Fantastics | 36m 52s | ||||||
| 9/14/26 | R&D RADIO: How Startup CPG's Product Developer Database Helped This Founder Reformulate | In this episode of R&D Radio, host Adam Yee sits down with Drake Nickell, founder of Dimitri's Greek Kitchen, to talk through how he used Startup CPG's Product Developer Database to find the right partner for reformulating his brand's pita chips.Drake and his sister built Dimitri's Greek Kitchen around traditional Greek and Mediterranean snacks with a modern twist, starting with whipped feta before pivoting into pita chips after finding a manufacturing partner who could bring the product to life. With the chips now in over 300 stores, including all 189 Jewel-Osco locations across Illinois, Drake turned to the Product Developer Database to level up the product with a well-defined scope of work rather than spending months experimenting in his own kitchen.Adam and Drake dig into how Drake filtered and vetted eight different product developers, why having a clear scope of work upfront made those conversations more efficient, how founders and food scientists can use shared reference points like well-known snack brands to communicate flavor and texture, and what "soft skills" mattered most in choosing the right long-term partner.Listen in as they discuss:How Drake and his sister built Dimitri's Greek Kitchen around whipped feta and pita chipsWhy a viral TikTok moment around spicy whipped feta helped validate the product ideaHow Drake used Startup CPG's Product Developer Database to find and filter relevant expertsWhy having a clearly defined scope of work made his vetting conversations far more efficientWhat matters most when choosing a product developer beyond price, including communication style and personality fitWhy quick follow-up and pricing transparency were strong signals in choosing the right partnerHow food scientists use a "gold standard" reference product to reverse-engineer texture and flavorHow Drake described mouthfeel and flavor using widely available snack brands as a shared reference pointWhy founders shouldn't take early "no's" from experts personally, even when they stingWhat's next for Dimitri's Greek Kitchen, including new pita chip flavors and a whipped feta relaunchEpisode Links:Drake Nickell LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/drake-nickell-267b54161Dimitri's Greek Kitchen Website: www.dimitrisgreeksnacks.comDimitri's Greek Kitchen Instagram: @dimitrispitachips Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to "Transcript" at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (40K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpg Visit host Adam's LinkedInQuestions or comments about the episode? Email [email protected] Episode music by Super Fantastics | 25m 04s | ||||||
| 9/8/26 | food politicscereal industry+4 | Marion Nestle | NYUU.S. Department of Health and Human Services+5 | — | cereal marketingfood studies+5 | — | 41m 35s | ||
| 9/5/26 | crowdfundinge-commerce+4 | Tal Moore | PopsmithOprah's Favorite Things+2 | — | Popsmithcrowdfunding+5 | — | 38m 20s | ||
| 9/4/26 | clean electrolytesentrepreneurship+3 | Danielle Nuss | Short Story | — | electrolytesorganic fruit powder+3 | — | 30m 42s | ||
| 9/1/26 | grocery distributionorganic standards+3 | Louis D'Angelo | Foundation FoodsErewhon+3 | — | Foundation Foodsgrocery distributor+5 | — | 34m 43s | ||
| 8/31/26 | infant formula manufacturingfood safety+4 | Casey Bauer | BobbieKate Farms+2 | Heath, OhioUnited States | infant formulafood safety+4 | — | 25m 10s | ||
| 8/29/26 | founder journeyfundraising+3 | Troy Bonde | SauzWhole Foods+5 | — | tomato saucefundraising+4 | — | 50m 58s | ||
| 8/28/26 | non-hallucinogenic supplementsayahuasca vine+3 | Gonzalo BisquerraChris Kilham | Happy CaapiMedicine Hunter | — | Happy Caapiayahuasca vine+6 | — | 33m 39s | ||
| 8/25/26 | functional foodsbrain health+3 | Ashley FieldsKim Anderson+1 | CognizinCognizin Citicoline+5 | — | functional cookiesbrain health ingredients+3 | — | 46m 11s | ||
| 8/21/26 | entrepreneurshipfood innovation+4 | Mackenzie MuthNolan Spencer | HOL Health ClubSiete Foods+1 | Indiana UniversityWall Street | bone brothprotein bar+5 | — | 27m 35s | ||
| 8/19/26 | honeyfood and beverage trends+3 | Keith Seiz | National Honey Board | — | honeyCPG brands+5 | — | 10m 53s | ||
| 7/21/26 | fragrance industryentrepreneurship+4 | Sergio Tache | DossierWalmart+1 | — | Dossierfragrance+6 | — | 44m 07s | ||
| 7/20/26 | certificationsorganic+5 | Esther Levy | Evolve Food Consultants | — | certificationsorganic+5 | — | 28m 10s | ||
| 7/17/26 | frozen foodwhole grains+4 | Melissa Bermudez | Unrefined FoodsJP Morgan+2 | — | frozen muffinswhole grain nutrition+5 | — | 28m 32s | ||
| 7/14/26 | co-manufacturer due diligencepartnership approach+3 | Laura JakobsenDaniella Carelli | Riot EnergyKelley Drye & Warren LLP+2 | — | co-manufacturingdue diligence+3 | — | 50m 44s | ||
| 7/11/26 | fundraisingentrepreneurship+4 | Sophia Cheng | OddballTarget+2 | Singapore | fundraisingsnacking+6 | — | 32m 35s | ||
| 7/10/26 | clean-label beveragesentrepreneurship+4 | Lindsey Fredrick | TartStartup CPG | — | tart cherryclean-label+6 | — | 27m 03s | ||
| 7/7/26 | Grocery Runfounder experiences+3 | Dan ChoiStephanie McGregor | NA Beverage CompanyRinga | — | Grocery RunNA Beverage Company+5 | — | 39m 08s | ||
| 7/6/26 | consumer researchproduct development+4 | Guru Hari Khalsa | Guru Food DesignYogi Tea+3 | — | food product developmentconsumer research+4 | — | 25m 48s | ||
| 7/4/26 | CPG market insightsfinancial planning+3 | Drew Fallon | Iris FinanceMad Rabbit | — | CPGfinancial decisions+5 | — | 39m 29s | ||
| 7/3/26 | brandingpackaging+3 | Noah Phillips | Honey Department | — | honeybranding+4 | — | 27m 25s | ||
| 6/13/26 | consumer psychologychannel strategy+4 | David Bell | TouchlandGraza+10 | Stanford GSBSephora | consumer brandsretail+5 | — | 47m 34s | ||
| 6/12/26 | food innovationentrepreneurship+3 | Liana Krasnow | tomato saucegrass fed bone broth+1 | Connecticut | bone brothtomato sauce+5 | — | 28m 08s | ||
| 6/9/26 | entrepreneurshipfood and beverage industry+4 | Isabel Washington | A2 dairy canned latteDirty Chai+6 | — | Laurel's CoffeeA2 dairy+6 | — | 46m 01s | ||
| 6/8/26 | food microstructureultra-processed foods+4 | Abbey Thiel | University of Wisconsin-MadisonWageningen University+1 | — | food scienceingredient functionality+6 | — | 30m 31s | ||
| 6/6/26 | venture capitalconsumer brands+4 | Rana Taghdisi Argenio | Palette VenturesGoldman Sachs | — | investingKPIs+5 | — | 39m 45s | ||
| 6/5/26 | single origin soy saucebranding+5 | Christine LiuClarissa Wei | HEYDOH | TaiwanBrooklyn+2 | soy saucebranding+5 | — | 31m 16s | ||
| 6/2/26 | brand scalingoperations+4 | Yoga CharyaSebastiaan Debrouwe | MezclaDoss+4 | — | MezclaDoss+5 | — | 49m 07s | ||
| 5/30/26 | growth stage investingbusiness fundamentals+3 | Graham Garzon | Ground Force CapitalCPG | — | investment bankingprivate equity+4 | — | 40m 47s | ||
| 5/29/26 | frozen yogurtentrepreneurship+3 | Ashley Whalen | Greek frozen yogurtfrozen dessert+3 | USCSoCal | CharaAshley Whalen+7 | — | 28m 08s | ||
| 5/26/26 | heritage grainsregenerative organic certification+4 | Jacob Trumbull | Regenerative Organic Certified cookiesDefiance Wheat+4 | Carbondale, ColoradoMountain West | Roaring Fork Millheritage flour+6 | — | 31m 23s | ||
| 5/25/26 | food entrepreneurshipproduct development+4 | Lara Tiro | Rebel CPGUniversity of British Columbia | — | food entrepreneurCOGS+5 | — | 32m 30s | ||
| 5/23/26 | corporate venture capitalsnack innovation+3 | Luba Safran | Mondelēz InternationalSnackFutures Ventures+1 | — | venture capitalsnack industry+3 | — | 40m 58s | ||
| 5/22/26 | menstrual healthpharmaceuticals+4 | Margo Harrison | Wave ByePlanned Parenthood+3 | — | period painmenstrual health+6 | — | 38m 01s | ||
| 5/19/26 | pitch competitionentrepreneurship+3 | Chiara Munzi | chickpea hot cerealChiChi Foods | — | Expo Westpitch slam+5 | Advantage FDM Sales | 24m 35s | ||
| 5/16/26 | fundraising processventure capital+3 | Bill Schultz | Little SesameCoterie+2 | — | venture capitalfounder-led brands+3 | — | 39m 25s | ||
| 5/15/26 | food industryentrepreneurship+4 | Marc Brown | ONOINDanone+2 | Drexel University | ONOINchopped onions+5 | — | 31m 48s | ||
| 5/12/26 | formulationCPG brand building+3 | Rebecca Urciuolo | BevSourceFB Solutions Group | — | formulatorCPG+5 | — | 49m 56s | ||
| 5/8/26 | entrepreneurshipsnack industry+4 | Sean Knecht | TantosShark Tank+2 | — | pasta chipsnack innovation+5 | — | 28m 27s | ||
| 5/5/26 | building a boardCPG industry+4 | Seth Goldman | Honest TeaJust Ice Tea+5 | — | board buildingCPG+5 | — | 49m 21s | ||
| 5/2/26 | frozen ramenentrepreneurship+3 | Khalil Khamis | Crafty RamenHelloFresh+1 | CanadaU.S. | Crafty Ramenfrozen food+3 | — | 26m 17s | ||
| 5/1/26 | luxury baked goodsentrepreneurship+4 | Lex Evan | LEXINGTON BAKESJohnson & Johnson+1 | — | protein cookiesprotein oat bars+5 | — | 31m 08s | ||
| 4/28/26 | CPG mediaentrepreneurship+4 | John Craven | BevNETNosh+4 | Expo West | BevNETCPG+6 | — | 45m 19s | ||
| 4/27/26 | ingredient functionalityproduct development+4 | Colleen Cottrell | C Cottrell ConsultingRXBAR | — | ingredient functionalityproduct development+5 | — | 24m 51s | ||
| 4/26/26 | retail accessCPG brands+3 | Caitlin Bricker | Startup CPGRaley's+3 | — | Opportunity KnocksCPG brands+3 | — | 25m 42s | ||
| 4/25/26 | venture capitalconsumer brands+3 | Rogers Healy | Morrison Seger Venture Capital PartnersWaterloo Sparkling Water+1 | Texas | venture capitalconsumer products+3 | — | 35m 33s | ||
| 4/24/26 | entrepreneurshipbeverages+3 | Maria Velasquez | chicha moradapurple corn+3 | PeruAndes+1 | chicha moradapurple corn+7 | — | 25m 46s | ||
| 4/21/26 | influencer marketingcontent strategy+4 | Myriah CastilloVal Ponce De Leon | JoybyteJackson's Chips+1 | — | influencer marketingcontent engine+5 | — | 1h 02m 18s | ||
| 4/20/26 | Expo Westemerging brands+3 | Taylor BlueGabriella Labi+2 | Little LatkeGato Dates+1 | — | Expo WestLittle Latke+5 | — | 32m 33s | ||
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Chart history for The Startup CPG Podcast
Peaked at #30 in MY, currently #30 in MY.
| Market | Genre | Peak | Current | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MY | — | #30 | #30 | — |
| Ireland | — | #78 | #78 | — |
| New Zealand | — | #122 | #122 | — |
| Netherlands | — | #149 | #149 | — |
| United States | — | #185 | #185 | — |
Chart Positions
5 placements across 5 markets.
Chart Positions
5 placements across 5 markets.