The Fall ’24 Showcase on Nov. 19 was an overwhelming success. The founders of the seven brands shared their compelling founder stories and their growth strategies in front of a standing-room only crowd at Rowling Hall at the Texas McCombs School of Business. CPG leaders and investors from around the country flew to Austin for the event.
Showcase is a celebration of the culmination of the 12-week program – an combination of mentoring by the dream teams of experts and weekly classes covering all aspects of the business. It’s the equivalent of getting a PhD in CPG.
The event kicked off with a motivational and heart-felt keynote address by SKU co-founder Clayton Christopher. Clayton is a serial entrepreneur and respected CPG investor known for founding Sweet Leaf Tea Co. (acquired by Nestlé), Deep Eddy Vodka (acquired by Heaven Hill Distilleries NZ Ltd), Waterloo Sparkling Water (acquired by Flexis Capital), CAVU Consumer Partners and Astō Consumer Partners.
A big thank you to our judges: Ann Frazier, founder of 1731 MGNT, Christopher Cain, Co-Chair Transactions Practice Group of Foley & Lardner LLP, Alex Bodney, Co-founder of Midnight Venture Partners, and Karen Howland, managing director of Rose Park Advisors.
Fall ‘24 brands
Bala Enzyme, founded by husband-and-wife team Dr. Arash Aftabi (arash@balaenzyme.com) and Dr. Farnoush Fadavi (farnoush@balaenzyme.com), 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 promotes both recovery and rehydration.:
Foraged & Found, founded by former marketing-executive-turned chef Jenn Brown (jenn@foragednfound.com), revolutionizes pantry staples by infusing everyday foods with sustainably harvested kelp. It offers innovative products like kelp pickles, pasta sauces, and salsas.
Kif & Co., founded by Caroline Brain (caroline@kifandco.com), is a probiotic beverage company that crafts kefir water, 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 better-tasting probiotic solution.
Long Table is next-gen pancakes from heirloom grains, powered by love. Founded by Samuel Taylor (samuel@longtablepancakes.com), Long Table makes nutrient-dense, regeneratively grown, heirloom whole-grain pancake and waffle mixes.
Modica, created by professional mixologist Eric Wentworth (eric@drinkmodica.com) and business partner JD Mitchell (jd@drinkmodica.com), is a line of award-winning cocktail and mocktail mixers developed using better ingredients.
Peace Love Hormones (PLH) is dedicated to empowering women to reclaim control of their hormone and reproductive health. Founded by Maddie Miles (maddie@peacelovehormones.com), the clinically-dosed, effective herbal supplements offer natural relief and long-term support.
The Bloody Buddy is a perfectly handcrafted chili-pepper infused vodka and bloody mary mix together in one bottle. The Bloody Buddy was created behind the bar by former bartenders Buddy Jordan (buddy@thebloodybuddy.com) and Joey Kindred (joey@thebloodybuddy.com) and is preservative free, gluten free and all natural.
Congratulations to Samuel Taylor and Long Table for winning both the Judge’s Choice and the Fan Favorite. A special thank you to the sponsors of the prize package: Proof Advertising, TikTok, eBusiness Solutions, Inc., Balanced Business Group, 1Q, Wonderkind Co. and Foster Garvey PC.
If you were not able to attend, you can watch the recording here.