Opportunity Knocks: Get Direct Access to Top Retailers

In this episode of R&D Radio, hosted by food scientist Adam Yee, Adam sits down with Colleen Cottrell, independent consultant at C Cottrell Consulting. With over a decade of experience spanning ingredient suppliers, finished CPG brands like RXBAR, and now independent consulting, Colleen breaks down one of the most underappreciated forces in product development: ingredient functionality — and why understanding it early is the difference between a product that scales and one that falls apart at the co-manufacturer.Colleen explains why the same protein can behave completely differently depending on how it's been processed — heat, pressure, and shear all play a role — and walks through simple, low-cost assays that founders can run themselves to compare ingredients before committing to a formula. She also shares the inside story of helping RXBAR expand beyond bars into oats and other categories by working closely with ingredient suppliers to engineer egg white functionality at scale.Listen in as they discuss:What ingredient functionality actually means — and why it impacts your product more than you thinkHow heat, pressure, and shear change protein behavior (using eggs as the perfect example)Liquid vs. dried egg whites: shelf life, moisture content, and functional tradeoffsWhy two pea proteins with the same label can perform completely differentlySimple DIY assays for foaming, gelling, and solubility — no lab requiredThe RXBAR oats story: engineering egg white functionality for new categoriesHow to set your non-negotiables before you scaleCurrent trends: protein and fiber maxing, the return to whole/real ingredients, and food-as-healthPDCAAS scores and why protein quality matters more than protein quantityWhy soy is dominating the protein trend — and what fibers are showing up mostEpisode Links:Colleen Cottrell — Independent Consultant, C Cottrell Consulting 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleencottrell 🔗 Email: [email protected]'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)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (35K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Adam's Linkedin Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at [email protected] music by Super Fantastics

In this special episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Daniel Scharff and Caitlin Bricker — a former retail buyer and managing editor at Startup CPG — pull back the curtain on the biggest thing Startup CPG has ever built: Opportunity Knocks. This is a brand new platform designed to give emerging CPG brands a direct line to some of the most exciting retailers, distributors, and industry stakeholders in the game — no broker required.Opportunity Knocks drops exclusively in the Startup CPG newsletter every other Friday, starting May 1st. Each opportunity opens a two-week submission window for brands to apply directly. Featured retailers include names like Raley's, The Fresh Market, Hungryroot, and Whole Foods UK — with more on the way. Many opportunities will also include a virtual fireside chat with the retailer or stakeholder, giving brands a chance to hear exactly what they're looking for before submitting.Daniel and Caitlin walk through everything brands need to know to make the most of this new platform — from what gets an application noticed to what quietly kills it. Caitlin brings her buyer lens to break down the basics that too many brands overlook, and Daniel shares the incrementality story that actually moves buyers and the mindset shift that separates brands who get picked up from the ones who keep getting passed over.Listen in as they cover: Why Opportunity Knocks exists — and how it evolved from the retail tracker and review calendar How the submission process works: two-week windows, fireside chats, and what happens after you apply Which retailers and stakeholders are already involved — and what kinds of brands they're looking for Why your ingredient list, product packaging, and founder story all need to be on your website before you submit How to tell an incrementality story that actually gives a buyer confidence Why knowing the retailer's set — and speaking their language — can 10x your chances What consistent rejection is really telling you — and when it's time to take a hard look The ingredient and formulation trends brands should be paying attention to right now How to reach out if you're a retailer, distributor, or investor interested in participatingRetailers and other industry stakeholders interested in becoming part of this campaign initiative can reach out to [email protected] you’re a brand looking to submit your products to individual campaigns, sign up for our newsletter and Slack via startupcpg.com. Make sure you do it before 5/1 so you don't miss out on the first opportunity!Interested in sponsoring Startup CPG, Opportunity Knocks, and other initiatives? Reach out to [email protected]'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)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (35K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Daniel's Linkedin Visit host Caitlin's Linkedin Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at [email protected] music by Super Fantastics

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Hannah Dittman sits down with Rogers Healy, Founder and CEO of Morrison Seger Venture Capital Partners—a consumer-focused venture firm backing some of the most iconic CPG brands of this generation. Rogers is a serial entrepreneur with over two decades of experience building and scaling businesses, including one of Texas's largest independently owned real estate firms. After years of investing on the side while running his real estate companies, Rogers made the leap to venture capital full time, founding Morrison Seger—named after his two favorite musicians, Van Morrison and Bob Seger—with a mandate rooted in personal conviction, family values, and gut instinct.Morrison Seger operates through SPVs, writing checks from $500K to $10 million across all stages, with a particular love for beverage. Rogers brings a deeply personal lens to every deal—if he isn't a consumer of the product, his family is. His portfolio includes Waterloo Sparkling Water and Sanzo, among others, and he actively backs brands he believes can earn a place in people's everyday lives.Hannah and Rogers dig into what it really takes to build a brand investors get excited about, how to navigate the founder-investor relationship, and what separates the deals Rogers jumps into from the ones he passes on. He also shares hard-won lessons from a long career in entrepreneurship—on communication, patience, staying true to your why, and betting on yourself even when the odds feel stacked against you.Listen in as they cover: Rogers's path from real estate grinder to full-time venture capitalist—and why it took him until 41 to make the leap How Morrison Seger was founded, what the name really means, and the SPV model that powers it Investment criteria: personal consumption, family values, check size, and what gets Rogers excited Why branding has to pop immediately—and the difference between a brand with real pull and one that's trying too hard The stacking-by-stage strategy Rogers uses across verticals like sparkling water and pistachios What Rogers looks for in founders: communication, details, presence, and the ability to not act like they're doing you a favor Why the founder-investor relationship is like a marriage—and how to do your diligence before you're in too deep The questions founders should be asking investors before they sign What kills a deal during diligence—and why getting someone's name wrong is a red flag Lessons learned: trust your gut, burn the ships, and always ask how you can helpEpisode Links:Morrison Seger Venture Capital Partners: https://www.morrisonseger.com Rogers Healy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rogershealy/ Rogers Healy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rogershealy/ Morrison Seger on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/morrison-seger/ Morrison Seger on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morrisonseger/ Rogers Healy Bio: https://www.morrisonseger.com/rogershealy Morrison Seger Portfolio: https://www.morrisonseger.com/portfolioDon'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)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (35K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Hannah's Linkedin Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at [email protected] music by Super Fantastics

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Caitlin Bricker sits down with Maria Velasquez, founder of Purple Drop — a Peruvian super drink made from purple corn grown high in the Andes. Maria is bringing chicha morada, a staple in every Peruvian household, to the US market for the first time as a better-for-you RTD. And she is doing it with her mother-in-law's recipe, organic agave, and zero compromise on the integrity of the original.Caitlin opens with a passage from her personal library on ancient fermentation that captures just how deep the history of chicha actually goes. Maria meets that with her own origin story: a Moroccan woman who married into a Peruvian family, fell in love with the culture and the cuisine, and had a lightbulb moment in Lima over Christmas that turned into a brand. She also explains why the one RTD version already on the market — packed with sugar, additives, and coloring — was exactly what she did not want to make.From there the conversation covers the functional story behind purple corn (studies show it has 10 times more antioxidants than blackberries), the co-packer journey that eventually landed at a brewery, a rebrand that brought llamas and vibrant color to life, and a launch strategy built around winning Peruvian Americans first before casting a wider net. Maria spent a decade in B2B cybersecurity marketing and it shows — in the community-first approach, the food service play she is already running with Peruvian restaurants in the NYC tri-state area, and the PR box she is designing to transport people straight to Peru.Listen in as they cover:How a Christmas trip to Lima and a mother-in-law's recipe became the foundation of Purple DropThe functional benefits of purple corn and why anthocyanins make this more than just a great-tasting drinkThe co-packer challenge of commercializing a product that American manufacturers had never made beforeHow Maria is building community by winning Peruvian Americans firstThe rebrand that brought the brand's personality to lifeWhat's next: lucuma flavors, concentrated antioxidant shots, energy ideas, and a spring launch on ShopifyWhether you are a founder navigating the beverage aisle with something truly new, a buyer looking for the global flavor story your customers are asking for, or someone who has always wanted to try chicha without booking a flight to Lima, this episode is for you.Episode Links: Purple Drop Website: https://www.thepurpledrop.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heypurpledrop/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-purple-drop/Maria Velasquez on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-vepa/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)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (35K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Caitlin's Linkedin Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at [email protected] music by Super Fantastics If you’re interested in learning more about the science behind Cognizin,Head to www.cognizin.com to learn more.

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Daniel Scharff sits down with Myriah Castillo, president of Joybyte, and Val Ponce De Leon, head of influencer at Joybyte, to dig into one of the most talked-about topics in the Startup CPG Slack: influencer marketing. Not the celebrity post-and-pray version — but the strategic, scrappy, content-engine approach that actually moves the needle for early stage CPG brands.Myriah opens with a reframe that changes how you think about the whole category: stop thinking about influencers as a conversion tool and start thinking about them as a content engine. From there, she and Val walk through what a real creator-led growth strategy looks like — from nano creator gifting and first-round testing to long term ambassador relationships, content repurposing through whitelisting, and the brief that took a creator who wasn't converting to $10,000 in sales in a single weekend.They share real brand examples — including Jackson's Chips and Ice Barrel — that show what it looks like when the strategy actually works. And they get into the specifics brands at every stage need to hear: what nano and micro creators actually cost, how to set expectations from day one, when to introduce budget, and how to get the most out of every piece of content you commission.Whether you're a founder who has never run a creator campaign, a brand that tried influencer marketing and wasn't sure if it worked, or someone trying to figure out how to stretch a limited budget, this episode is the foundation you need.Listen in as they discuss: Why long term creator relationships beat one-off posts — and how to get there through a structured test and learn approach — What nano and micro influencers actually cost, what gifting can realistically get you, and how to set clear expectations from day one — How to repurpose creator content across paid media, organic social, email, and PDPs through whitelisting and collaborative posts — Why the content itself is the ROI and how to think about creators as a content engine rather than a conversion tool — The brief that actually works: how Joybyte analyzes a creator's existing content to find the storyline that will perform — How TikTok Shop differs from influencer marketing and why Joybyte treats them as two completely separate programs — What Joybyte's retainer model looks like and why they pass through creator costs directly to brands with no overhead markup — Ice Barrel and Jackson's Chips: two real examples of what it looks like when creator-led growth catches lightning in a bottleEpisode Links: Myriah Castillo – President, Joybyte LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myriah-castillo-b646b8168/ Val Ponce De Leon – Lead Strategist, Joybyte LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-ponce-de-leon-3a962a143/ Joybyte Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/joybyte/ Website: https://joybyte.com/ Download the free Creator-Led Growth Playbook: https://joybyte.com/creator-led-whitepaperDon'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)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (35K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Daniel's Linkedin Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at [email protected] music by Super Fantastics If you’re interested in learning more about the science behind Cognizin,Head to www.cognizin.com to learn more.

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host and managing editor Caitlin Bricker sits down with three emerging brands to unpack what Expo West really looks like on the ground — from first-time exhibiting to scrappy Alley Rally wins to landing a yes from a buyer on the spot.First up is Taylor Blue, founder of Little Latke, the first shelf-stable potato crisp inspired by the crispy edges of a traditional potato latke. Taylor shares what it was like to exhibit at Expo West for the first time, why she chose the Startup CPG section, and how she used the show to launch not just a new and improved formula (now non-GMO and seed oil free), but two brand new flavors — Garlic Parmesan and Spicy Honey Dijon. She also opens up about what she'd tell any first-time exhibitor who's on the fence.Next, Caitlin talks to Gabriella Labi and Tonya Reznikovich, co-founders of Gato Dates — dark chocolate covered, nut butter stuffed Medjool dates in four flavors. Gabriella shares the full emotional story of attending Alley Rally on a shoestring, including a broken washing machine, sample packs that wouldn't open, shirtless models with QR code tattoos at a Venice event the night before, and a vote count that first broke their hearts before ultimately delivering the news that they'd won a free booth at Expo West 2027.Finally, Jesse Suarez, founder of Hola Mija Chips — one of the first tallow tortilla chips on the market, made with nixtamal corn and beef tallow — breaks down his experience with Startup CPG's one-on-one retailer meetings, including how a meeting at Winter Fancy Food in San Diego helped close a deal with Buy Rite a week later, and how a 10-minute conversation at Expo West ended with a buyer saying yes on the spot.Listen in as they cover: What it's actually like to exhibit in the Startup CPG section for the first time, from sampling strategy to sample counts to the community energy on the floorHow Gato Dates went from a washing machine disaster and second place to winning a free Expo West 2027 boothWhy one-on-one retailer meetings are open to all Startup CPG community members, not just brands exhibiting in the section How Jesse's patience with Sprouts, Buy Rite, and Mother's Market paid off over months and multiple touch pointsWhy showing up repeatedly — even when you hear no — is one of the most powerful things a founder can doWhether you're a first-time exhibitor trying to figure out how to make Expo worth it, a brand who's never heard of Alley Rally, or a founder who keeps getting passed over for one-on-ones and is starting to lose hope, this episode is for you.Episode Links: Little Latke Website: https://www.littlelatke.com Little Latke LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/little-latke/ Taylor Blue LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-blue-91402199/ Gato Dates Website: http://www.gatodates.com Gato Dates LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gato-dates/ Gabriella Labi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriella-labi-25a3079b/ Tonya Reznikovich LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonya-reznikovich/ Hola Mija Chips Website: http://www.holamijachips.com Hola Mija Chips LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hola-mija-chips/ Jesse Suarez LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-suarez-796b55350/ Hola Mija on Faire: https://www.faire.comDon'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)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (35K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Caitlin's Linkedin Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at [email protected] music by Super Fantastics

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Hannah Dittman sits down with Craig Dubitsky, Co-Founder and CEO of Happy Products — a modern beverage brand reimagining how coffee can make us feel. Craig is one of CPG's most iconic brand builders, having created category-defining household staples like eos and hello. With hello, he built the fastest-growing oral care brand in North America before its acquisition by Colgate, where he went on to serve as Chief Innovation Officer. His newest venture, Happy Products, was co-founded alongside Robert Downey Jr. and launched in partnership with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) — the largest grassroots mental health organization in America.Craig brings decades of hard-won experience across brand building, capital management, fundraising, and navigating strategic partnerships through acquisition. In this episode, he shares the lessons that shaped him, what founders should have in place before embarking on a fundraise, and the mental models he uses to build things people genuinely fall in love with.Craig and Hannah dig into the full arc of building a brand from zero: why advisory boards are one of the most underused fundraising tools, how to pitch investors without your hat in hand, and why the obsession with valuation and dilution often misses the point entirely. He also unpacks what made hello attractive to Colgate, why "exit" is the wrong word for what happens when a strategic acquires your company, and why everything costs more and takes longer than you think — no matter how many times you've done it.Listen in as they cover:Craig's winding career path: derivatives trading, relocation startups, Method, eos, hello, Colgate, and now Happy ProductsWhy Happy isn't a coffee company — it's in the "Happy business," with coffee as the delivery systemHow NAMI ended up on Happy's cap table from day zero — and what makes that different from typical purpose-driven brand partnershipsWhy the magic of a brand is harder than the math — and why getting the magic right usually takes care of the mathThe advisory board strategy: how to stack the deck before you have traction, revenue, or a full teamWhat investors actually want to see: identified manufacturers, cost of goods, margin assumptions, retailer interest, and teamWhy founders who obsess over valuation and dilution are asking the wrong questionsThe story of hello's first toothpaste bottle — a packaging pivot that almost never happened, and why it's a masterclass in listening to the marketWhat made hello irresistible to Colgate: cross-channel distribution, strong repeat, brand differentiation, and a team that could execute at paceWhy Craig calls the Colgate deal an "entrance," not an exitHis most important piece of capital advice: always plan for it to cost more and take longerWhether you're a first-time founder or on your fourth company, this episode is a masterclass in building with intention, raising with humility, and creating things people want to have in their lives forever.Episode Links:Happy Products: happyproducts.com Craig Dubitsky on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/craig-dubitsky-40612 Happy Products on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/we-are-happy-productsNAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): nami.org / 988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineDon'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)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (35K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Hannah's Linkedin Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at [email protected] music by Super Fantastics If you’re interested in learning more about the science behind Cognizin,Head to www.cognizin.com to learn more.

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Caitlin Bricker sits down with Matt Beaman, co-founder of Goodburn Sauce Co., a regenerative, farm-focused hot sauce brand based in Austin, Texas with a deep love for rare and exotic chili peppers from around the world.Matt shares how a career that took him from writing for kids' television to Disney marketing to Facebook brand management ultimately led him back to Austin — and into the world of hot sauce. He introduces co-founder Carson Hoovestol, a reggae dub producer and longtime natural products retail veteran who has been plant-based for decades and brings an encyclopedic knowledge of produce and ingredients to the brand.Together, they dig into the origin of Goodburn's anchor ingredient — the Papa Dreadie Scotch Bonnet pepper, a legendary Austin variety with roots in Jamaica and a backstory that involves a beloved local character, a reggae scene, and a frozen stash of heirloom seeds that arrived like something out of Jurassic Park. Caitlin shares her own personal favorite, the Arbol Primo, and makes a strong case that the hot sauce market is far less saturated once you actually taste what's inside the bottles.Listen in as they cover:How a friendship, a garden, and a legendary pepper variety became a hot sauce brand — How dates and fruit replace sugar in Goodburn's sauces — and why there are zero natural flavors, artificial flavors, or preservatives — The regenerative farming philosophy behind the brand and the Texas and California farm partners making it possible — What the "Goodburn zone" actually means and why finding that heat sweet spot is harder than it looks — The branding story behind Goodburn's standout label, from the OG designers to creative director Zach Shapiro — Where Goodburn is currently carried, including a recent acceptance into Central Market — What's coming next: South American, African, and Chinese pepper-inspired sauces and a first funding roundWhether you're a founder navigating a crowded condiment aisle, a buyer looking for a premium hot sauce with a real story behind it, or a heat lover who's tired of sauces that are either too mild or too punishing, this episode is for you.Episode Links: Goodburn Sauce Co. Website: https://www.goodburnsauce.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodburnsauceco Matt Beaman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmatthewbeaman/ Faire: https://bit.ly/3QecJ53Don'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)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (35K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Caitlin's Linkedin Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at [email protected] music by Super Fantastics If you’re interested in learning more about the science behind Cognizin,Head to www.cognizin.com to learn more.

In this special episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Daniel Scharff and Managing Editor Caitlin Bricker — a former retail buyer — run a live pitch practice session recorded on YouTube Live, where founders jumped up to deliver their 30-second pitch and got direct, actionable feedback in real time. The result is one of the most broadly useful episodes we've ever put out: whether you pitched or just watched, the feedback applies to you.Eleven brands across food, beverage, supplements, and pet stepped up: an Ayurvedic wellness tea, a kava seltzer, a low-carb donut and cookie brand, an umami seasoning, a women's hormonal health supplement powder, a pet training treat in a portable tube, a dessert butter, and a salon-quality cuticle oil line. Every pitch got something different — and every piece of feedback is worth hearing.Together, Daniel and Caitlin break down the mechanics of a strong pitch: why your energy matters more than your talking points, how to proactively answer the buyer's unspoken questions, why uptalk will quietly kill your credibility, and what it means to actually lead with your product.Listen in as they cover:Why energy and confidence beat a perfectly memorized script every timeThe single question every buyer is thinking but won't always ask: will this actually sell?Camera setup, lighting, and the small technical details that make a big impression on Zoom pitchesWhy "first ever" is a phrase to avoid — and what to say insteadHow to use proof points, velocity data, and repeat purchase rates to earn trust fastWhat adaptogenic actually means — and why you need to know before you say itWhen your founding story helps you and when it costs you valuable pitch timeWhy D2C traction and social following should come up earlier than most founders thinkBrands featured: Ayursome Wellness, Kaviva, Good Journey, Zenbroth, Bagelverse, Ramen Bae, Cali Nutrition, Doggo Sessions, Oh My! Dessert Butter, Theniya, Tiara Natural DeodorantDon'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)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (35K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Daniel's Linkedin Visit host Caitlin's Linkedin Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at [email protected] music by Super Fantastics If you’re interested in learning more about the science behind Cognizin,Head to www.cognizin.com to learn more.

In this episode of R&D Radio, hosted by Adam Yee, Adam sits down with Travis Zissu, founder of Scale Food Labs — an FDA-registered pilot food manufacturing facility in Golden, Colorado helping emerging brands turn benchtop formulas into scalable, production-ready products. With over a decade of food industry experience spanning culinary school at the CIA, GNT Natural Colors, and Chew Innovation, Travis has made it his mission to democratize the product development knowledge he's accumulated and make scalability a first principle, not an afterthought.Travis walks through his end-to-end process — from ingredient sourcing and prototype development to consumer testing, pilot runs, and full production — and explains why discovering problems before you hit a manufacturer is worth far more than any single formula tweak. He also shares why 90% acceptance is the real launch threshold, and what founders get dangerously wrong when they fall in love with their home kitchen recipe.He also dives into two standout client stories: a founder who came to Expo West with four vague ideas and left with a launched, distributor-ready hot-filled acidified product — and a farmer's market entrepreneur who went from buying spice jars at Whole Foods to opening a $12 million facility.Listen in as they discuss:Why sourcing from scalable suppliers must happen before you ever touch the benchThe danger of switching ingredient suppliers at scale — and the real cost of finding out too lateWhy you'll never launch exactly what you made at home, and why that's okayHow Scale Food Labs stress tests pilots: turning up heat, skipping stirs, and pouring off at multiple intervalsProtein trends: the rise of animal-based protein, BLG (beta-lactoglobulin) whey, and a supply chain already running dry through 2027Fiber as a parallel trend — and why GI distress is the thing that kills fiber-forward productsCell-based meats: what it's actually like to taste cultured chicken, and why Travis is rooting hard for the categoryEpisode Links: Travis Zissu – Founder, Scale Food Labs🌐 Website: www.scalefoodlabs.com 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zissuDon'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)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (35K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Adam's Linkedin Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at [email protected] music by Super Fantastics If you’re interested in learning more about the science behind Cognizin,Head to www.cognizin.com to learn more.