Patricia Menegoto, Head of Marketing and Community at Startup CPG, shares insights on a transformative year for the community. They reflect on the success of in-person networking events and impactful partnerships, including the GNC 'Next Big Thing' initiative. The pair discuss empowering female founders, brand matching successes, and their growing Shelfie Awards. Looking ahead to 2025, they reveal ambitious plans to strengthen connections among entrepreneurs and retailers, ensuring visibility for emerging brands in the competitive market.
The Startup CPG community experienced substantial growth in 2024, leading to increased visibility and opportunities for emerging brands through successful trade shows and networking events.
Initiatives aimed at supporting female founders not only provided visibility but also facilitated meaningful partnerships, empowering women entrepreneurs within the food and beverage sector.
Deep dives
Reflections on Community Growth
The podcast highlights significant developments in the Startup CPG community throughout 2024, emphasizing the impact of brand matching events. Many brands that participated in these events found immediate success, with numerous retailers carrying their products shortly after the event. The community saw impressive growth, with projections for 2025 indicating a doubling of participating retailers and an expanded list of opportunities for brands to connect with retailers. These successes underline the increasing recognition of the community's potential among retailers, fostering a supportive environment for emerging brands.
Key Initiatives for Female Founders
One significant initiative discussed is the program aimed at supporting female-founded brands, showcasing successful partnerships, such as those with Settle, which provided valuable exposure at major trade shows. Events like brunch gatherings in Los Angeles and collaboration opportunities with retailers played a pivotal role in creating a supportive network for these founders. The efforts to elevate female entrepreneurs were not just about visibility but also included practical steps to ensure their products reached greater audiences. This initiative demonstrated a commitment to fostering inclusivity and empowerment within the larger community.
Educational Enhancements and Resources
The podcast emphasizes the improvements made in educational offerings, especially through webinars that have proven to be immensely popular and valuable to participants. With notable partners like Nielsen sharing data insights, these webinars have drawn significant attendance, engaging hundreds of brands with practical, no-nonsense content. The focus on delivering direct, actionable information has become central to the community's mission, catering to the educational needs of early-stage brands. This approach has positioned the community as a premier resource for emerging brands looking to navigate their growth effectively.
Exciting Plans for 2025
Plans for 2025 include a new event series called Grocery Run, aimed at fostering direct connections between brands and retailers through interactive panel discussions and mixers. The first event features Whole Foods and is specifically tailored for female founders, emphasizing the initiative's commitment to diversity. Additionally, the growth trajectory of the community, with membership numbers soaring, suggests a robust year ahead filled with numerous events and innovative approaches to supporting brands. The excitement for the future is palpable, as the team aims to integrate even more resources and opportunities for deeper engagement within the community.
In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Daniel Scharff sits down with Patricia Menegoto, Head of Marketing and Community at Startup CPG, to reflect on a transformative year for the community and discuss ambitious plans for the future.
Together, they recount the milestones of 2024, from hosting dedicated sections at trade shows, events in 17+ cities, building partnerships such as the GNC "Next Big Thing" initiative and the expansion of the Further platform supporting female-founded brands.
Key topics include the success of in-person networking events, the growing impact of the Shelfie Awards, and how Startup CPG seeks to help emerging brands gain visibility and access to key retailers and investors. They also explore exciting initiatives planned for 2025, aimed at further strengthening the community and driving meaningful connections between founders, retailers, and industry leaders.
Listen in as they share about:
Reflections on Startup CPG’s Growth and Achievements
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