Five startups have been selected to participate in the Fancy New York Pitch Slam, taking place June 13 at 4 p.m. during the Summer Fancy Food Show.
Hosted by Naturally New York, in partnership with the SFA, Pitch Slam provides a platform for entrepreneurs in the natural and specialty products industry to present their product or service to a panel of judges and audience members for a chance to win prize packages valued at more than $70,000.
“We’re so pleased to be working with Naturally New York to put a spotlight on some of the outstanding, creative food and beverage brands that both of our organizations represent at the Summer Fancy Food Show,” said Denise Purcell, vice president of content and education for the SFA. “We’re looking forward to a fun, informative competition and a rewarding collaboration.”
To qualify for the competition, startup companies must have been in the market for at least one year, having generated $100,000 to $2,000,000 in gross revenues during 2021, across all sales channels. Applications were received from entrepreneurs around the country, but only these five finalists will advance to the live show to present their pitch:
Fabalish: founded by Jessica Gebel in 2018; a New York-based food, condiments, and ingredient company harnessing the power of chickpeas and its upcycled byproduct, aquafaba, to create plant-based foods with award-winning flavor.
Maivino: founded by Mai Vu in 2017; a Brooklyn, New York-based wine company that makes it easy to enjoy premium wine anywhere, anytime.
ÜRösti: founded by Stephen Caldwell in 2019; a Portland, Oregon-based food company with the first-to-market, crispy shredded hand-held filled potato in three bites.
Rule Breaker Snacks: founded by Nancy Kalish in 2015; a Brooklyn, New York-based baked goods company offering “better-for-you” plant-based, vegan, gluten-free, soft-baked, chewy brownies, blondies, and snack bites.
Waku: co-founded by Juan Giraldo in 2018; a Boston-based prebiotic beverage company, putting a modern twist on an ancient Ecuadorian tea recipe.
Summer Fancy Food Show badgeholders may attend as part of their registration. Others may purchase tickets for $35 (or $25 for NNY members).
Light refreshments will be served and attendees will receive new product samples from local, emerging natural and specialty brands. They will also have the opportunity to vote for the People’s Choice winner.
The grand prize winner of the Pitch Slam competition will be selected by a panel of judges, based on a 3-minute pitch presentation, storytelling abilities, innovative offering, social impact plan, branding and packaging, and market viability.
Judges include: Scott Crawford, CMO, Fresh Direct; Neda Daneshzadeh, co-founder and managing partner, Prelude Growth Partners; Kate Harper, chief brand curator, Hive Brands; Michael Meyer, partner, L Catterton and CEO, “I and love and you.”
Heather Terry, co-founder and CEO of GoodSam Foods, and executive board member and founding partner of Naturally New York will serve as master of ceremonies.
“On behalf of our entire board at Naturally New York, we are thrilled to host the first Pitch Slam in New York City at Summer Fancy Food Show,” said Eric Schnell, co-founder, BeyondBrands and co-chair, Naturally New York, in a statement. “The five finalists who made the cut are a diverse group of emerging CPG brands; each standouts in their respective categories. It will certainly be a highlight of the show, and an event you will not want to miss.”
Related: Summer Fancy Food Show Kicks Off June 12; Specialty Food Association to Present The Basics on June 11.