![8 brands taking the stage at the Expo West 2018 Pitch-Slam competition 8 brands taking the stage at the Expo West 2018 Pitch-Slam competition](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt09e5e63517a16184/bltc4eb3e37f27581dd/64ff1e487d2685e5625a4484/winner-pitch-slam.jpg?width=700&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
Cacoco is ethically sourced, wildcrafted, and regeneratively cultivated cacao in drinkable form. This brand stood out to our selection committee for its focus on regenerative business, dedication to sustainable packaging and overall powerful story.
Wize Monkey is a line of farm-direct coffee leaf teas. This brand stood our for its mission to break the poverty cycle for coffee farmers, overall smooth taste and strong packaging design.
Dr. Brite is a women-owned business focused on oral care formulas that are safe for the entire family. This brand stood out for their storytelling, B Corp certification and strong team.
Trabalí Foods is a line of 100% organic nutrient-dense meat patties. This brand stood out for its storytelling on package and the work they are doing to clean up the frozen category.
BIO RAW is a brand with a line of on-the-go plant-based meals. This brand stood out as a differentiated product with passionate founders and an innovative approach.
Further Food is a mission-driven, all women-run food-based supplement company. This brand stood out for its package design, business model and overall education focus in supplementation.
MADE OF is a fully certified organic line of baby care products including diapering, skin care, bath/body and cleaning. This brand stood out for it's radical transparency and strong team.
The Honest Stand offers a twist on comfort foods made from natural, organic veggies and nuts. This brand stood out for its recognizable ingredient deck and dedication to creating jobs within its community.
The Honest Stand offers a twist on comfort foods made from natural, organic veggies and nuts. This brand stood out for its recognizable ingredient deck and dedication to creating jobs within its community.
Every year at Natural Products Expo, attendees are on the hunt for the newest natural product innovation. The Natural Products Expo West Pitch-Slam is proud to highlight the best emerging brands at Expo West 2018. We’ve outlined here how we chose the eight semifinalists to pitch in Anaheim.
The Process
Applications were open from Dec. 1, 2017 to Jan. 26, 2018.
Applicants were asked to highlight basic details about their company such as founding date, product description, management description, sales history and projections. In addition, applicants are asked to explain how their company integrates a focus on greater access to healthy lifestyle, stewardship and/or nutrition into its core values (if at all). As a part of the application, each brand also submitted a short video to showcase the personality of the founders and product.
Selection Committee Mentors reviewed every application based on the following criteria: uniqueness, value proposition of product, product branding, packaging, presentation and market viability, in equal measure. The Selection Committee Mentors watched over 200 minutes of video footage and spent numerous hours reviewing applicants. Every application was scored from one to five. Selection Committee Mentors discussed the top scoring companies and some of their standout favorites. In the selection process, the mentors were also paired with a brand for coaching leading into Expo West. The mentor relationship will focus on presentation content and storytelling on stage.
Before the show, semi-finalists will also have the opportunity to attend a webinar with revered pitch coach Andi O'Conor on body language and delivering the perfect pitch.
The Pitch
Semi-Finals Competition March 7, 2018
5-6 p.m. Marriott, Marquis North
Sponsored by: 301 Inc., G4A Generator, Moss Adams
3-minute pitch
3-minute Q&A
Judges, with audience input, will choose four semi-finalists to advance to the Finals round on Thursday, March 8.
Finals Competition March 8, 2018
4:30-6:30 p.m. Marriott, Grand Salon F
Sponsored by: 301 Inc., G4A Generator, Moss Adams
3-minute pitch
5-minute Q&A
Judges select one grand prize winner. Both competitions are open to all badgeholders.
The People
Expo West 2018 Pitch-Slam Selection Committee and Mentors
Bob Burke, Natural Products Consulting
Arno Hesse, Slow Money Northern California
Carlotta Mast, New Hope Network
Daniel Lohman, Category Management Solutions
Mike Dobvish, Nutrition Capital Network
Debbie Wildrick, MetaBrand
Lauren Clardy, NutriMarketing Group
Jessica Bates, Dwight Funding
Tera Johnson, Food Finance Institute
Sergey Grigoryan, TNKR Design
Expo West 2018 Pitch-Slam Judges
Renske Lynde, Food System 6
Jon Sebastiani, Sonoma Brands
Greg Fleishman, Foodstirs
Carla Vernon, Natural & Organic Operating Unit General Mills
Betsy McGinn, McGinn eCommConsulting
The Eight
The Grand Prize—over $40K in services from New Hope Network
Expo West 2019 Free Booth and Marketing Credit
Expo East 2018 Attendee Super Pass and Business School Badges x 2
Esca Bona 2018 Badge x 2
Supply Side 2018 Global Pass x 2
New Hope Network NEXT Data + Insights Concept Testing
New Hope Network Digital/Print Services
Nutrition Capital Network 2018 Waived Pitch-Fee
Nutrition Business Journal Subscription/Custom Reporting
NEXTY Nomination—Waived Fee
Content coverage on newhope.com
About the Author(s)
You May Also Like