The 11 pitch slam competitors at 2021 Natural Products Expo West Virtual Week
These emerging brands will take the virtual stage to pitch for a chance to win more than $40,000 in New Hope Network services during Expo West Virtual Week.
![The 11 pitch slam competitors at 2021 Natural Products Expo West Virtual Week The 11 pitch slam competitors at 2021 Natural Products Expo West Virtual Week](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt09e5e63517a16184/blt6c1f148595435d5d/64ff1a135137411cf1279c18/MicrosoftTeams-image_202_0.png?width=700&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
12 Tides is the only certified organic kelp snack available in the U.S. With a unique sourcing network for its organic kelp and a proprietary processing technique, these dippable planet-friendly snacks are irresistible. This brand stood out for its commitment to sustainable packaging and sourcing as well as the fantastic snackability, texture and taste. Pat Schnettler will be presenting.
Happy Moose specializes in crafting simple, better-for-you juices, smoothies and wellness shots. This brand stood out for its give-back model, commitment to farmers, recyclable packaging and functional ingredients. Ryan Armistead will be presenting.
Wildwonder makes wellness accessible, starting with a better drink for gut health. This brand stood out for its commitment to organic, the founder story and being a fresh innovative alternative to kombucha. Rosa Li will be presenting.
Agua Bonita is the first better-for-you aguas frescas on the market, made solely from (upcycled) fruit for sweetness and spices, with no added sugar. This brand stood out for its founder story, innovation and commitment to upcycled and organic ingredients. Kayla Castañeda will be presenting.
Kubé Nicecream is a plant-based nicecream on a mission to transform and rebuild society with healthier local food production practices. This brand stood out for its unique process, commitment to triple bottle line and integrity. Kubé won the 2020 Food Funded Pitch Slam, one of the Natural Products Expo partner programs. Kai Nortey will be presenting.
Nod Foods is a new innovative plant-based creamer company dedicated to providing 100% nondairy products made to go wherever you go. This brand stood out for its innovation as a portable shelf-stable nondairy creamer, commitment to organic ingredients and taste. Melissa Golubski will be presenting.
Pratt Standard makes premium craft cocktail ingredients to help home bartenders make premium cocktails as delicious as at their favorite bar. This brand stood out for its business pivot during COVID-19 to focus on consumer education, beautiful packaging, unique clean ingredients and overall deliciousness. Tory Pratt will be presenting.
Spinster Sisters is a Certified Women-Owned premium all-natural skin care brand, made sustainably in the U.S. This brand stood out for its clear commitment to sustainability from production to packaging, founder story and the most magical fragrance. Kelly Perkins will be presenting.
Sunshine Nut Company is committed to not only making a better cashew but making the world better by giving 90% of its shareholders’ distributed profits back to the community of Mozambique through various programs. This brand stood out for its mission and commitment to business as a force for good, B Corp and organic certifications, as well as its flavor innovation. Don Larson will be presenting.
Take Two Foods is creating second chances for our health and the planet by upcycling grain and transforming it into sustainable, plant-based food and beverage products. This brand stood out for its work toward becoming a certified B Corp and its strong mission, nutritional profile and taste. Jerek Theo Lovey and Matt Olsofsky will be presenting.
Tia Lupita Foods is a better-for-you, healthy and authentic Mexican-inspired food brand that uses clean, simple ingredients in all of its products. This brand stood out for its partnership with Renewal Mills in bringing upcycled okara to its tortillas as well as its beautiful packaging and heritage story. Hector Saldivar will be presenting.
Tia Lupita Foods is a better-for-you, healthy and authentic Mexican-inspired food brand that uses clean, simple ingredients in all of its products. This brand stood out for its partnership with Renewal Mills in bringing upcycled okara to its tortillas as well as its beautiful packaging and heritage story. Hector Saldivar will be presenting.
With just a few weeks left until Natural Products Expo West Virtual 2021, it's that exciting time again; New Hope Network has selected the top standout brands who will pitch at the Expo West Virtual Pitch Slam.
This year, we received an amazing group of applications and the caliber of products were top notch, which made it extra tough to determine which brands would dance through to the semifinals. From organic sourcing and sustainable packaging to mission-forward magic, these 11 early stage brands really rose to the top.
After hours of careful consideration and taste-testing, the New Hope Network content team and a group of 10 industry experts determined who will pitch for the chance to snag more than $40,000 in New Hope Network services—including a free booth at Natural Products Expo West 2022.
These emerging brands model true innovation within the natural products industry, and we’re excited to shine a spotlight on each.
The Pitch
Semifinals Competition May 25, 2021
2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. MT
Sponsored by: Zipline Logistics
Presented by: BrandHive, Creative Alignments, dicentra, FONA, SPINS, Whipstitch Capital
3-minute pitch
3-minute Q&A
Finals Competition May 26, 2021
2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. MT
Sponsored by: Zipline Logistics
Presented by: BrandHive, Creative Alignments, dicentra, FONA, SPINS, Whipstitch Capital
3-minute pitch
5-minute Q&A
Judges select one grand prize winner, as well as two rising stars. Attendance to both competitions are open to all registered attendees of Natural Products Expo West Virtual.
The Selection
The Selection Committee and Mentors below will be partnered up with the brands over the next few weeks to help them perfect their Expo West Virtual pitch.
Expo West Virtual Mentor and Selection Committee
Trevor Knoflick, P2R
Ainsley Moir, Healthy Food & Beverage Group
Pete Brennan, The Town Kitchen
Brandon Hernandez, Whole Brain Consulting
Alicia Potter, Faven Creative
Dianna Tremblay, ICA
Betsy McGinn, McGinn eComm Consulting
Jennifer Bryman, Heart Creative
Kirk Visola, Mind the Font
Daniel Karsevar, Plantbased Solutions
Jenny Cathon, TIG
Denver Lewis, Sr. Community and Conference Content Manager, New Hope Network
Claire Koch, Marketing Manager, New Hope Network
Jenna Fitch, Community and Conference Content Director, New Hope Network
Hannah Esper, Content Producer, New Hope Network
Adrienne Smith, Sr. Food Business Reporter, New Hope Network
Expo West Virtual Pitch Slam Judges
Rajesh Babu, Birch Benders
Karen Howland, CircleUp
Corinne Shindelar, All Natural Strategies
Vanessa Toy, Cultivate Creations
Click through to see the Natural Products Expo West Virtual Pitch Slam Semifinalists.
About the Author(s)
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