In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Hannah Dittman sits down with Alex Malamatinas, founder and managing partner of Melitas Ventures, to explore the realities of early-stage consumer brand investing. The conversation dives deep into what investors actually look for in CPG founders, how to navigate the fundraising process, and why understanding your financials—especially the difference between gross margin and contribution margin—can make or break your capital efficiency.

Alex shares how Melitas Ventures approaches seed and Series A investments with a focus on authentic better-for-you brands, product-market fit, and strong unit economics. He discusses the importance of choosing the right investor partners, what due diligence really looks like, and how founders can position themselves for success before they even start raising capital. Drawing from portfolio successes like Olipop and Magic Spoon, Alex reveals what separates compelling investment opportunities from the rest.

Throughout the episode, listeners gain insider perspective on investor-founder dynamics, the signs of a strong partnership, and practical benchmarks for margin profiles across food, beverage, beauty, and supplements. Whether you're pre-revenue or scaling to Series A, this conversation offers clarity on what matters most when building a fundable, sustainable CPG brand.

Listen in as they discuss:

How Melitas Ventures evaluates early-stage CPG brands (seed to Series A)
The difference between gross margin and contribution margin—and why it matters
What investors look for in founding teams and co-founder dynamics
Red flags and green flags during the due diligence process
How to choose the right investment partner for your business stage
Revenue traction benchmarks: what $1-10M in sales should look like
The importance of sales velocity and retention metrics in early traction
When bold vision meets financial discipline: balancing growth and profitability
How to communicate your numbers effectively in investor pitches
Why focus and staying in your lane beats trying to do too much too soon
Emerging categories Alex is excited about: hair care, fragrance, and multicultural food brands

Episode Links:

Website: https://www.melitasventures.com/

Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-malamatinas-17a25124/

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/melitasventures/

Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com

Show Links:

Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)
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Visit host Hannah's Linkedin
Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.com
Episode music by Super Fantastics

201 - Farm Machinery Today and Tomorrow