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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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