SKU’s Post

Attention Austin founders and venture investors. Founders N' Funders is coming back to Austin with a VC Reverse Pitch Event on November 6th. Whether you're a founder looking for funding or an investor wanting to connect with the brightest minds, this will be an invaluable event. Investors from S3 Ventures, Silverton Partners, Next Coast Ventures, Sputnik ATX VC, Antler and more will be pitching to founders and sharing their investment thesis, key differentiators and what they look for in founders when making investment decisions. You can apply to attend here: https://lu.ma/AUSVCRP Brooke Wilson Buff Greebe Maddie S. Adrien Petersen Michelle Breyer Jeff Erickson #raisingmoney #fundraising #investors #vcs #pefundds #privateequity #emergingbrands #founders #startups

SKU alum Mosie Baby has created a product that literally changes lives! It has provided a solution that enabled people to realize their dream to become parents. Michelle Breyer Buff Greebe Adrien Petersen Maddie S. Brooke Wilson #fertility #fertilitytreatment #insemination #babies #baby #artificialinsemination

Many SKU mentors have experience working in a number of categories, with the ability to bring their expertise and versatility to a wide range of SKU startups. SKU Fall '24 mentor Heather Cooper, a first-time mentor, has a sales career spanning over 25 years in CPG, building a reputation for her unwavering dedication to people leadership and her exceptional talent for growing and building high-performing sales teams. She has worked on such renowned brands such as Oatly, Nielsen, L'Oréal, Seventh Generation, Clif Bar and Kite Hill. During her most recent job as SVP of sales at Oatly, the sales team flourished, setting new benchmarks for innovation and customer engagement in the plant-based food industry. As VP of Sales at Kite Hill, Heather was responsible for the entire Western sales territory and scaling the national business from $20 million in retail sales to $70 million. She was directly responsible for account management of Target, Costco Wholesale, Albertsons’s, Amazon and Sprouts Farmers Market. Heather thrives on the challenge of identifying and capitalizing on market opportunities, leveraging key insights and industry knowledge to drive revenue and exceed business objectives. Throughout her journey, she has embraced the role of mentor and coach, guiding individuals to reach their fullest potential while fostering a culture of collaboration, trust and innovation. She brings those valuable qualities to SKU. "I really can’t say enough great things about the SKU experience. I’ve learned so much in such a short time and have made so many connections," says Heather. If you are a a leader in the consumer product industry and want to learn more about mentoring for SKU's Spring '25 Track, please fill out the Mentor Interest Form and we will schedule an interview: https://lnkd.in/d89nC97C Michelle Breyer Maddie S. Buff Greebe Adrien Petersen Brooke Wilson Jenn Brown #accelerator #cpgaccelerator #mentors #mentoring #mentorshipmatters #cpg #cpgs #consumerpackagedgoods #startups #cpgstartups #emergingbrands #entrepreneur #sales #channelstrategy #brandmanager #brandmanagement

Check out SKU alums Daily Crunch and Siete Family Foods, which are featured on the Whole Foods Market 2025 Trends Report. Michelle Breyer Brooke Wilson Buff Greebe Maddie S. Adrien Petersen #naturalfoods #foodandbeverage #cpg #cpgs #consumerproducts #consumerpackagedgoods #glutenfree #nuts #sproutedalmonds #almonds #nutsnacks

We had a wonderful gathering with the students participating The Trek to Austin, an event coordinated by The William S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership at the SMU Cox School of Business. The Spear Institute's Managing Director Joshua Taylor, a SKU mentor, took the students on a whirlwind tour of Austin's dynamic startup community. And SKU was fortunate to be a part of it. SKU mentors and founders had the chance to talk with the students last night at a rooftop happy hour at the citizenM hotels, a SKU partner. Many have founded their own companies, or considering an entrepreneurial venture. It was inspiring to see their energy and enthusiasm! Michelle Breyer Buff Greebe Maddie S. Brooke Wilson Adrien Petersen Shari Wynne Ressler Morganne Stewart Christine Mei Mathias Ihlenfeld Kinda Lincoln Sarah Vilenskiy Tom Myers Tom Cummings Crystal Reynolds Jamie Panzarella Felipe Vega Allan Peretz Sphoorti Veluvolu John Ferrante, M.A. #entrepreneurship #entrepeneurial #atxcpg #austincpg #consumerpackagedgoods #cpg #cpgs #consumerproducts #mentors #mentorship #accelerator #cpgaccelerator

We are so honored to be a part of The Trek to Austin, an event coordinated by The William S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership at the SMU Cox School of Business. The Trek to Austin is the brainchild of the Institute's Managing DirectorJoshua Taylor, a SKU mentor who wants to provide students with the chance to dive into the world of startups, venture capital, and innovation while providing a closer look at Austin's thriving CPG startup community. During today's panel at Palm Venture Studios, SKU alums Zach H. from Funky Mello, Shaz Rajashekar from SHAZ & KIKS, and Jake Chambers from PUPSENTIALS were joined by SKU Executive Director Buff Greebe and Flip Croft-Caderao, founder of Cali Sober. They shared their own entrepreneurial journeys and some of the key insights they have learned along the way, including: - On getting the attention of retailers and customers: "Most marshmallow companies have blue branding. We wanted to do something totally different. (Funky Mellow's branding) looks like a party!" Zach Harper. - On one of the best ways to get key insights: "Go into stores. It's amazing how much you can learn by going into a retail store. Look at the resets, their assortment, what's at eye level. The information is all there." Joshua Taylor. - On how to keep the passion: "We often glamorize big events - getting to a million dollars, getting into Vogue. You need to fall in love with the journey and what you do on a daily basis." Jake Chambers. - On secrets to success: "I'm a big proponent of getting therapy before there's a problem. As founders, we know we're going to go through stuff. (Delisa Harper) and I did a lot of pre-work therapy before we started Funky Mello." Zach Taylor On how to compete in a crowded category: "Innovation really drives us. Our whole process is about making sure that what we create is new and that the customer experience is unlike anything they've ever had." Shaz Rajashekar On the realities of being a founder; "It is not glamorous. It's hard work, especially raising money. You're literally going around hat in hand. You have to love the work. It has to be an extension of you." Flip Croft- Caderao On the best places to get debt financing: "Go to your regional banks. They love to support small businesses and are great places to get a line of credit." Shaz Rajashekar Michelle Breyer Buff Greebe Brooke Wilson Adrien Petersen Maddie S. Jeff Blickman #entrepreneurship #startups #emergingbrands #austincpg #atxcpg #consumerpackagedgoods #consumerproducts #founders #founderstory

SKU mentor Abby June Richards, CPA-TX is the best!

Congrats to SKU alum Gita V. and Neeshi!

Fall '24 brand Modica would love to understand your drinking preferences. Please fill out this short survey to help shape the future of beverages. Michelle Breyer Buff Greebe Eric Wentworth JD Mitchell Jana Ritter Ross Williams Brooke Wilson Maddie S. Adrien Petersen Survey: https://lnkd.in/gVYxmu2z #beverages #alcoholicbeverages #mixers #beverageinnnovation #emergingbrands #startups #cpg #cpgs #consumerpackagedgoods #consumerproducts

As autumn arrives, SKU brands are getting creative with their pumpkin spice offerings, expanding beyond the classic latte and baked goods. Check out these products to get your fix of this aromatic blend that embodies the flavor of fall. - Aura Bora Pumpkin Spice Sparkliing Water - Waka Coffee and Tea Unsweetened Pumpkin Spice Flavored Premium Instant Coffee - DUDE Wipes Dumpkin Spice Wipes - Ladybird Provisions Pumpkin Spice Coffee Bombs. Michelle Breyer Brooke Wilson Buff Greebe Adrien Petersen Maddie S. #pumpkinspice #pumpkinflavoring #fallflavors #emergingbrands #startups #cpgstartups #consumerpackagedgoods #consumerproducts #cpg #cpgs