CPG Accelerator SKU Selects Six Startups For Its Second Dallas Cohort » Dallas Innovates

By Editor On Aug 13, 2021

Austin-based SKU, billed as the country’s first accelerator for consumer goods entrepreneurs, has selected six startups for the second iteration of its Dallas cohort.

In September – at a time when the consumer goods industry was facing extraordinary challenges amid the pandemic – Dallas-Fort Worth welcomed the SKU, which combined in-person and virtual programs to give founders access to industry experts, investors and serial entrepreneurs.

Since its inception in 2011, SKU has spawned a host of notable brands: Siete Foods, EPIC Provisions, and Seaweed Bath Co. The accelerator notes that more than 90 percent of its 90 alumni are still in business today.

When SKU announced its expansion in Dallas, the move was supported by DFW CPG, an organization founded last year by Rick Jordan, a Dallas-based shareholder in Dallas-based law firm Polsinelli, and food veteran Richard Riccardi. The very first Dallas-Fort Worth track became known as SKU DFW and five founding companies were selected to participate.

At the time, founders were led by a team of mentors – referred to as a “Who’s Who” in the CPG industry – who were all focused on helping them grow their business. Some of the most successful consumer products companies in the state (and beyond) participated.

About the Dallas program

Now SKU is preparing for another round in Dallas. At this time, the actor Patrick Schwarzenegger joins the team as a keynote speaker at the virtual kickoff on August 24th. Schwarzenegger founded his own CPG investment company in 2019 and previously invested in Liquid IV and SKU Track 9 of the HA brand! Snacks.

The Dallas founders will complete a 12-week program covering a wide range of CPG-related topics, ending with a pitch showcase on November 16. Again, entrepreneurs and executives from CPG companies like PepsiCo, Amazon and Land ‘O Lakes will serve as Dallas mentors and course instructors.

Meet the SKU Dallas 2021 cohort

The companies selected for the SKU Dallas Cohort 2021 represent a range of products from vegan cashew queso to inventive mocktails on the list, but all are in the later stage with sales up to $ 900,000 to $ 5 million in 2021 .

SKU said the companies made the cut because of their product’s innovation, pulling power in the marketplace, and the strength and coaching ability of their founders.

“This cohort includes some of the most innovative brands in some of the hottest categories,” SKU CEO Kirstin Ross said in a statement. “These founders each have compelling stories behind their brands and they all have tremendous growth potential.”

Here are the companies with descriptions of SKU DFW:

Bohana

Bohana is a snack made from popped water lily seeds that emerged from a friendship between Priyal Bhartiya and Nadine C. Habayeb. Both loved health, wellness and snacks – and on a trip to India Bhartiya discovered a favorite snack from childhood, the burst water lily seeds. Back in the US, Habayeb tried them and found they were easier to digest and much more nutritious than popcorn. The duo decided to go on a journey to bring the “power of these mighty seeds” closer to local consumers.

Core & bark

Candi Haas and Rita Childers were selling healthier items at their local farmers market when they discovered that most customers loved their cashew cheese sauce. They spent years perfecting the recipe, getting it sturdy for the shelves, and setting out to make healthy eating easier and tastier. Today, their dairy-free, plant-based sauces are clean label, paleo, vegan, and keto-friendly.

Packed with love

Tyler and Michelle Turk created Crated with Love from a key to their own relationship: Date Night. In an effort to help couples reconnect through laughing and playing, the Turks have created a subscription box for date games with various monthly themes that couples can do together. The latest boxes include Summer of Love, Destination Space and Perfect Harmony.

Daily crunch snacks

15 years ago, Diane Orley found out about the health and taste benefits of India’s sprouted almonds – along with her “Sprouted Nut Crunch”. Inspired, Orley began sprouting and dehydrating her own almonds. When her niece Laurel, a healthy food lover, realized they were more niche than any other snack on the market, Daily Crunch was born. The startup’s products are vegan, keto, paleo and gluten free.

Hella cocktail

Embedded at the interface between the better-for-you movement and cocktail culture, Hella Cocktail is a mixology company dedicated to creating a completely natural cocktail experience. The kicker is that anyone can be a customer – alcohol is optional – as the company invites everyone to join the adult alcohol consumption continuum. The Hella Cocktail line includes bitters, mixers and a newly introduced ready-to-drink line of bitters and soda.

Wild wonders

Rosa Li’s company was inspired by her grandmother, who brewed healing tonics and instilled in her the philosophy of food as medicine. Li learned that more than 50 percent of consumers today drink beverages that are believed to be health-enhancing, but options like kombucha are too vinegar for many to enjoy. She created a line of low-sugar beverages in quirky flavors like guava rose, peach-ginger, and turmeric-pear that combine well-healing superfoods and the Eastern herbal wisdom from their heritage.

Come on the list.
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