September 21, 2022
![Naturally Network, New Hope partner for Pitch Slam competition Naturally Network, New Hope partner for Pitch Slam competition](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt09e5e63517a16184/blte762cb509344db3b/64ff17c84caae2418920e8f9/pitch-slam-competitors-title.png?width=700&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
Daniel Schwarz founded Chuza to share Mexico's flavor, culture and flair with the world. The brand offers a variety of dried fruits spiced with its signature chili powder. Schwarz finished second in Naturally San Diego's Pitch Slam.
Frescos are colorful and flavorful refreshments (refrescos) inspired by vibrant Latin American culturas, modern taste and traditional Aguas Frescas. Juan Ignacio Stewart also founded Green Belly Foods, a Colorado-based premium line of hot sauces and salsas inspired by Guatamalan cuisine. Stewart finished first in Naturally Boulder's Pitch Slam. Frescos Naturales can be found at Booth 4393 on Level 200.
Gear Hugger, a plant-powered, non-toxic, multipurpose lubricant, has three times the lubricating power of petroleum-based products. Founder Checo Diaz created this product to help consumers keep gear running better and longer instead of being dumped in landfills. Diaz finished first in Naturally San Diego's pitch slam. Gear Hugger can be found in Booth 4394 on Level 200.
Globowl makes organic baby and toddler food designed to launch families into a life-long journey of adventurous eating. Erica Bethe Levin, who founded the brand, comes from a multi-ethnic family and loves sharing a variety of flavors with her spouse and children. Levin finished second at Naturally Chicago's pitch slam.
Ryan Armistead was inspired to create Happy Moose Juice after living in Costa Rica and being introduced to agua frescas. The brand sources its fruit from family farms that follow organic, sustainable agricultural pratices. Armistead competed at Naturally Bay Area's pitch slam.
GoNanas is a women-owned, vegan, gluten-free and allergen-friendly banana bread mix brand available in four flavors: original, chocolate chip, salted caramel and blueberry crumble. Friends Morgan Lerner and Anne Slabotsky started GoNanas as college students because they couldn't find healthy, tasty food on campus. GoNanas won Chicago Naturally's pitch slam; the brand can be found at Booth 4396 on Level 200.
KeJoy donuts are keto, paleo, vegan and gluten-free with less than 2 grams of sugar. As the first ingredient is roasted sunflower seeds, consumers can be sure these donuts will provide the energy they need to get them through their days. (KeJoy was formerly known as Fossil Fuel Donuts.) Alexa Daniels, CEO of KeJoy, co-founded the brand in Alaska and relocated to Colorado in 2019. KeJoy finished third at Naturally Boulder's pitch slam.
Founder Stephen Caldwell fell in love with rösti, a hand-held potato snack, during his travels to Switzerland. For five years, Caldwell experimented with cooking techniques, spices and fillings before introducing ÜRösti Stuft Spuds (formerly known as Swiss Rösti) to Americans in 2019. The vegetarian products are gluten-free, low in cholesterol and don't contain trans fats. Caldwell won first place at Naturally New York's pitch slam. ÜRösti Stuft Spuds can be found at Booth 4397 on Level 200.
Pauline Ang and Olivia Chen, friends for more than 20 years, co-founded RTD Twrl Milk Tea to resolve their own cravings for a great-tasting, plant-based, healthy, milk tea latte. It's sustainably sourced with organic and fair-trade ingredients. And since it's canned, it's shelf stable and easy to drink anywhere. Ang won first place at Naturally Bay Area's pitch slam. Twrl Milk Tea can be found at Booth 4395 on Level 200.
Juan Giraldo and Nicolás Estrella, friends with a common interest in entrepreneurship, created Waku with a goal of improving the lives of Ecuadoran farmers. The brand's RTD prebiotic herbal tea is available in four flavors: lemon, ginger lemon, passion fruit and raspberry rose. With 6 grams of fiber, no added sugar and no caffeine, the teas are vegan, gluten free and keto friendly. Giraldo placed second at Naturally New York's pitch slam.
Juan Giraldo and Nicolás Estrella, friends with a common interest in entrepreneurship, created Waku with a goal of improving the lives of Ecuadoran farmers. The brand's RTD prebiotic herbal tea is available in four flavors: lemon, ginger lemon, passion fruit and raspberry rose. With 6 grams of fiber, no added sugar and no caffeine, the teas are vegan, gluten free and keto friendly. Giraldo placed second at Naturally New York's pitch slam.
For the first time, Naturally Network and New Hope Network worked together to create a new iteration of Expo East Pitch Slam.
Earlier this year, five regional affiliates of Naturally Network each hosted a pitch slam competition for their members. Two winners from each event will compete in front of live and virtual audiences in the 2022 Expo East Pitch Slam at 3 p.m. ET Wednesday, Sept. 28, in the Terrace Ballroom on Level 400.
But that's not the only difference this year. Instead of having the traditional two nights of competition, these entrepreneurs will face the judges twice in a couple of hours. Yes, the preliminary and the final rounds will be held on one afternoon, followed by a celebration.
If you aren't attending Natural Products Expo East, don't worry. Anyone who is registered on New Hope's Natural Products Expo Virtual platform will be able to watch the pitches and the judges' decisions.
The three Pitch Slam judges are Diana Fryc, chief sales and marketing office at Retail Voodoo; Holly Adrien, natural and organics strategy and innovation manager for The Kroger Co.; and Gigi Lee Chang, managing partner for BFY Capital and the founder of Plum Organics.
Already, each regional winner received a free booth at this year's Expo East (in the Hot Products area on Level 200). But the Expo East Pitch Slam grand prize winner will receive a free booth at Natural Products Expo East in 2023 as well as a package of services from New Hope Network that is valued at more than $30,000.
Click through the gallery to meet this year's Natural Products Expo East Pitch Slam competitors.
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