SKU Spotlights Seven Disruptive Brands at Fall '24 Showcase Pitch Event

SKU, the nation's leading CPG accelerator, will celebrate the culmination of the Fall '24 Track with an in-person event in Austin on Tue, Nov. 19th from 4:30-9:00 PM at Robert B. Rowling Hall at the University of Texas McComb's School of Business. RSVP here to attend the event - one of the industry's premiere pitch events.

"These are some special founders who have created a brand born out of their own passion," said SKU Executive Director, Buff Greebe. "Their creativity and dedication are truly inspiring, and they are so excited and honored to be a part of their journey. We can't wait to see how they will shape the future of the industry."

The SKU Showcase provides an opportunity for founders to present to an audience of CPG leaders from around the country, integrating all they have learned during the immersive 12-week program. The founders participate in weekly classes led by industry experts, covering essential topics for CPG entrepreneurs, including channel strategy, branding, packaging, labeling and safety, operations, and fundraising.

While SKU's curriculum is best in class, it is our mentors who are SKUs special sauce. These mentors include senior executives from industry giants like Whole Foods, PepsiCo, and Mars, alongside accomplished investors, subject-matter experts and founders of such brands. All are united by a shared passion for coaching and advising high-growth, early-stage businesses to help them reach their potential and achieve a liquidity event.

"I can already enthusiastically say that Kif's time in SKU has been transformational," says Caroline Brain, founder of Kif & Co. "It's essentially a specialized, expedited business school for CPG founders. I knew it would be an incredible asset but I could have never predicted the incredible level of support, knowledge and critical connections that it has afforded. Every emerging brand could benefit in my mind."

The seven brands participating in the Fall '24 Track are:

Bala Enzyme was founded by husband-and-wife team Dr. Arash Aftabi and Dr. Farnoush Fadavi, retired dental surgeons who researched plant-based alternative therapies to help patients recover from post-operative swelling, bruising and inflammation. Bala, which promotes recovery and rehydration, is the world's first and only nutrition powder mix that is made with a patent-pending blend of plant-based enzymes, turmeric, electrolytes and amino acids. It tastes great, is all-natural and has zero sugar.

Foraged & Found, founded by former marketing-executive-turned chef Jenn Brown, revolutionizes pantry staples by infusing everyday foods with sustainably harvested kelp. It offers innovative products like Kelp Pickles, Pasta Sauces, and Salsas that make it easy and delicious to enjoy the benefits of this nutrient-dense superfood.

Kif & Co., founded by Caroline Brain, is a probiotic beverage company that crafts kefir water, which is a low-sugar, less vinegar-y alternative to kombucha. The brand was Inspired by founder Caroline's own personal gut health journey and her search for a probiotic solution that offered a low sugar content and was free from caffeine, gluten, and dairy. Kif is available in Cherry Lime Mint, Lemon Ginger Turmeric Cayenne, Passionfruit Lemongrass and Guava Basil.

Long Table is next gen pancakes from heirloom grains, powered by love. Founded by Samuel Taylor, Long Table makes nutrient-dense, regeneratively grown, heirloom whole-grain pancake + waffle mixes that are light enough to float but filling enough to power you through your day. In a quest to create a fluffier whole grain pancake, he invented a new one made out of popped popcorn. Long Table also offers a Blue Corn, Gluten-Free and Heirloom Grain mixes.

Modica, created by professional mixologist Eric Wentworth and business partner JD Mitchell, is a line of award-winning cocktail and mocktail mixers developed using better ingredients. Flavors include: Blueberry Lavender Lemon Drop, Tart Cherry Old Fashioned, Cacao Espresso Martini, Cucumber Aloe Margarita, and Turmeric Ginger Mule.

Peace Love Hormones, founded by Maddie Miles, is dedicated to empowering women to reclaim control of their hormones and reproductive health. The clinically-dosed, effective herbal supplements offer natural relief and long-term support because PLH believes that women deserve to feel balanced, confident, and fully supported in their wellness journey. PLH exists to provide the tools and education women need to take their health into their own hands-rooted in the wisdom of herbal medicine and backed by modern science.

The Bloody Buddy is a perfectly handcrafted chili-pepper infused vodka and bloody mary mix together in one bottle. It was created behind the bar by former bartenders Buddy Jordan and Joey Kindred, made at their distillery in Dripping Springs, Texas. The Bloody Buddy is preservative free, gluten free and all natural.

SKU currently is recruiting brands and mentors for the Spring '25 Track, which runs March through May. The track will be virtual, with in-person events at the launch and conclusion of the program. Brands can be from a wide range of categories, including food and beverage, apparel, and beauty.

Ideal candidates are market-validated brands with compelling founders and innovative products in hot categories. Interested brands can apply here. The application deadline is Nov. 19. Those interested in mentoring can fill out the Mentor Interest Form to schedule an interview.

SKU
620 Congress Ave. #320
Austin, TX 78701

SKU was founded in 2011 by lawyer Shari Wynne Ressler and serial entrepreneur Clayton Christopher, founder of Sweet Leaf Tea and Deep Eddy Vodka, with the mission of accelerating CPGs. It has been a catalyst in establishing Austin as a CPG powerhouse. Since it was founded, more than 150 companies have completed the SKU program. SKU was named one of the nation's top natural foods product accelerators by New Hope Media, which puts on Expo West and Expo East, the industry's largest trade shows. A Forbes magazine column identified SKU as one of the country's top three accelerators. Learn more at www.sku.is.

This release was published on openPR.