There are thousands of success stories over the past couple of decades of CPG brands finding lucrative “exits” from their startups.
The prospect of these exits at multiples of growth fuels a good portion of the fundraising machine that keeps the innovation pipeline flowing…this is a good thing.
It is also a good thing that successful brand founders can be rewarded for years of hard work, cash in, and take their experience into serial entrepreneurship.
On the other hand…
Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been able to meet with several brand founders who have built profitable, scalable, innovative food businesses, and have NO intention of “exiting” at all.
I think we need to celebrate this more than we do.
When I first started with Whole Foods 24 years ago it was much more common to see brands which were founded by folks who were 100% mission driven to make “product X” better and healthier, with no “exit” in sight.
Through the 90s and 00s, it was these “Culture Warriors” that formed the bedrock of the natural foods industry…we are all standing on their shoulders today in some way.
There is more than enough room for those brands to flourish in todays market also, and become the bedrock of the next generation.
This is one of the pillars of our “speed to shelf” value proposition, to help early stage brands reach “escape velocity”…whether they are looking for an “exit” or not.
By show of hands, how many brands do we have out there that have no “exit strategy” right now?
Pod FoodsErrol Schweizer#innovation#foodretail#grocery
Let's prepare for a delicious discovery! Explore the assortment! Ideal as a dip, simmering base, or sauce. Join us on Founders Day!
🍲 Super Greens Saag
Flavor Profile: Earthy, roasted, and tangy.
Inspiration: Based on a traditional recipe from Delhi and Punjab, this dip brings the essence of Northern Indian warm greens to the American palate.
Usage: Ideal as a drizzle on toasts, added to salad bowls, or served with rice and beans.
Attributes: Gluten-free, dairy-free, and contains no added oils.
🍲Sweet Potato Bhaji
Flavor Profile: Decadent, buttery, and saucy.
Inspiration: A modern twist on India’s street food classic, typically found from New Delhi to Mumbai.
Ingredients: Made using sweet potatoes from California and cauliflower from Colorado.
Usage: Perfect for any time of the day, offering a rich, dairy-free experience.
🍲Tandoori Masala
Flavor Profile: Smoky and spicy, this is the boldest flavor in their lineup.
Inspiration: Captures the essence of dishes cooked in a traditional Indian tandoor, known for producing exceptionally delicious food.
Ingredients: Made with tomatoes, beets, cashews, and spices, offering a rich texture suitable for both dipping and cooking.
Company Ethos:
Founder’s Vision: Mehek Khera founded Niramaya to promote health through Indian foods, addressing the growing need for convenient, globally inspired flavors among busy adults.
Cultural Connection: Niramaya, meaning "Wellness" in Sanskrit, is a minority, women-owned brand that celebrates heritage through its product offerings.
Product Versatility: These dips can be used as spreads, simmer sauces, or enjoyed straight from the jar, providing both nutritional value and convenience.
#NiramayaFoods#IndianInspired#GlobalFlavors#HealthyEating#WellnessInFood#MinorityOwned#WomenOwned#PlantBased#GlutenFree#DairyFree
Building Partners for AI Pricing Technologies | Entrepreneur Retail Tech | Data Scientist at Heart | Ex - Google | Louis Vuitton | Target | Bed Bath & Beyond (Now BEYOND)
Hold the phone, foodies! Beloved gourmet market Foxtrot just unexpectedly closed its doors, leaving everyone wondering what went wrong. But the real impact goes beyond disappointed shoppers.
Small brands like Spring & Mulberry are devastated! This chocolate startup spent a ton of time and resources getting into Foxtrot, only to have their inventory sit idle after the closure. This isn't just a sad story – it's a wake-up call for emerging brands relying on trendy retailers to launch.
Is the "cool factor" expiring? Several trendy stores like Foxtrot have shut down recently. Does this mean brick-and-mortar is doomed?
But wait, there's a glimmer of hope! Specialty stores like Erewhon and Pop Up Grocer can still be launchpads for new brands. And that Foxtrot experience can be valuable when pitching to bigger chains.
The future of retail is a recipe in progress. What are your thoughts on the Foxtrot fallout? Is there a place for trendy stores in today's market? Sound off in the comments!
#retail#startup#startups#foxtrot#erewhon#popupgrocer
Remarkable to witness Marc Lore the visionary behind Diapers and Jet (eventually sold to Walmart) embark on yet another transformative journey! While many see food delivery as a lucrative market, Lore envisions something much bigger than just profit. He's on a mission to build a brand that stands the test of time, revolutionizing the way we experience dinner. With his latest venture, Wonder, Lore is not just aiming for quick success but rather for lasting impact. By addressing the frustrations of slow and disappointing food deliveries, he's reshaping the landscape with innovation and efficiency. Wonder's approach isn't just about convenience; it's about democratizing gourmet food, making it accessible to all. Through partnerships with renowned chefs like Bobby Flay and Michael Symon, Wonder brings iconic dishes straight to your doorstep. And it doesn't stop there. With $700 million in funding and plans to expand to 35 locations by year-end, Wonder is poised for exponential growth. Lore's dedication to research and development, including the exploration of automated kitchens, ensures that Wonder stays at the forefront of the industry.
As a serial entrepreneur with a track record of success, Lore's vision for Wonder goes beyond the ordinary.
#FoodTech#Innovation#usa#retail#efood#egrocery#fooddelivery#entrepreneurship#onamission
Did you know that Wrigley's originally sold soap and rumour has it that Colgate once made a beef lasagna? Changing the trajectory of your product or business especially when you're starting out is daunting, but can be game-changing. Here’s how to learn the art of the pivot 🎨 Read more via Substack
👉 https://bit.ly/3xmuy8u#Business#Opinion#Startup
From Cake to Cloud: My Entrepreneurial Journey Through Innovation and Partnership
A look back to February 2020, on the brink of monumental global changes due to COVID, Ivi Gabales and I embarked on an entrepreneurial adventure by launching All Purpose Cake Co., a venture born from audacity and a dream. Without any prior experience in baking, we plunged into entrepreneurship. This beginning showed us that novice minds could indeed give rise to incredible creativity and innovation, encouraging us to embrace unconventional thinking and turn our inexperience into our most valuable asset.
From the outset, our journey was characterized by venturing beyond conventional limits. Collaborating closely with a Food Scientist for more than a year, we transformed our concept for multi-allergen (gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, flour-free, keto friendly) cakes into a scalable reality within a commercial kitchen. Our collaboration transcended mere product development; it represented a pivotal shift, underscoring the significant role of teamwork in bringing innovative ideas to fruition as tangible, market-ready offerings.
COVID compelled us to pivot swiftly to a new reality, by establishing a partnership with a reseller partner, we found the vehicle to scale our operations across the United States within six months, transitioning from retail to doorstep! In the face of adversity underlined the critical importance of adaptability and partnership in the world of startups.
“From Cake to Cloud” symbolizes more than a journey of transition from tangible products to exploring the vast potential of digital innovation. It encapsulates the essence of entrepreneurship, where starting with a blank canvas and a novice mindset paves the way for extraordinary creativity and groundbreaking innovation. Our story, particularly our rapid adaptation during the early days of COVID, serves as a compelling testament to the power of strategic partnerships and an open-minded approach in overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities.
As we forge ahead, the lessons learned, the partnerships forged, and the pivots navigated remain foundational to our approach, reminding us that innovation thrives on collaboration, adaptability, and the courage to dream big.
Let our journey inspire others to embrace their beginnings, no matter how novice, to recognize the transformative power of partnership, and to boldly venture into the unknown, turning visions into reality.
#Entrepreneurship#StartupJourney#Innovation#CreativeThinking#DreamBig#FoodTech#Foodinnovation#partnerships#womanentrepaneurs#strategicpartnership#growthmindset
I curate my feed here constantly to follow CPG founders. It’s all I want to see here.
Without naming anyone, I’ve been following a few founders recently whose ‘healthier’ innovation is most likely taking off due purely to a uniquely memorable flavor experience, not nutritionalsnor ingredient composition.
Do they know this? I wonder…
It reminds me of the need early on to talk with your fans in open-ended conversations about - Why do you eat this?’
I call it the Late July fallacy - Late July began as a ‘healthy’ organic snack brand but took off because its later innovation - tortilla chips were just plain amazing in the mouth….
#startups#entrepreneurship#business
Omni Channel Growth Marketing Leader | Early to Growth stage Companies
1moLove this community! Startup CPG