SKU Dallas Seeking CPG Leaders to Emerging Consumer Product Startups
SKU, the nation’s first accelerator focused on consumer packaged goods (CPG), is seeking experienced consumer-product leaders.
Second Dallas Cohort Kicks Off August 24th, 2021
AUSTIN (July 1, 2021) – SKU, the nation’s first accelerator focused on consumer packaged goods (CPG), is seeking experienced consumer-product leaders for SKU Dallas to mentor the next generation of brands. Mentors can apply at mentors@sku.is.
Mentors for SKU Dallas do not need to be based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. SKU Dallas is supported by DFW CPG, a local group working to foster growth and connection within the region’s food and beverage industry.
The 12-week program, for later-stage CPG startups kicks off on August 24st and runs through November 16th. The track culminates with a Showcase Pitch event in December.
SKU Dallas combines in-person and virtual programming, surrounding founders with talented industry experts, investors and serial entrepreneurs. Throughout the program, founders will be guided by a team of mentors who are laser-focused on helping them grow their businesses. SKU’s mentor community is a who’s who in the CPG industry, including the founders and top executives of some of the most successful consumer product companies in Texas and beyond.
SKU has produced more than 75 alumni including a variety of innovative and successful brands, including Siete Foods, Seaweed Bath Co., Austin Eastciders and EPIC Provisions. After participating in SKU’s eighth cohort in 2020, sparkling water brand, Aura Bora, has seen tremendous growth and is now in 1,500 stores expecting to do $4M in sales in 2021.
“I am so appreciative that the SKU community provides a forum for mentors to engage with these exceptional individuals and pay it forward,” says SKU mentor Adam Michaels, head of strategy and M&A, NA Ventures at Mondelēz International. “I become even more excited about CPG innovation when I see passionate entrepreneurs seek to understand their consumers and overdeliver on their needs. I couldn’t be more appreciative of this opportunity to serve and have a front row seat to the future of CPG!”
About SKU
SKU was founded in Austin, TX in 2011 by lawyer Shari Wynne Ressler and serial entrepreneur Clayton Christopher, founder of Sweet Leaf Tea and Deep Eddy Vodka, with the mission of accelerating CPGs. It has been a catalyst in establishing Austin as a CPG powerhouse. Since it was founded, more than 75 companies have completed the SKU program. In fall 2019, SKU began expanding its reach by partnering with CPG branding company, BeyondBrands, to launch New York-based BeyondSKU. That same year, SKU joined forces with DFW CPG to launch SKU Dallas in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. In 2020, the ImpactSKU program for purpose-driven CPG startups previewed in the Twin Cities, a partnership with FINNOVATION Lab. SKU has been named one of the country’s top three accelerators by Forbes and one of the nation’s top natural foods product accelerators by New Hope Media, which puts on Expo West and Expo East, the industry’s largest trade shows.
Learn more at www.sku.is and follow along on social media @skuatx.
DFW CPG was founded in 2019 by Polsinelli’s Rick Jordan and food veteran Richard Riccardi to foster growth and connection within the region’s food and beverage industry, which includes early- to late-stage brands, billion-dollar food and beverage enterprises, food retailers and investors, and all who serve the industry. The community provides education and networking opportunities. Its website is www.dfwfoodbev.com.
Want more industry news sent straight to your inbox? Subscribe to the Foodboro newsletter!
Second Dallas Cohort Kicks Off August 24th, 2021
AUSTIN (July 1, 2021) – SKU, the nation’s first accelerator focused on consumer packaged goods (CPG), is seeking experienced consumer-product leaders for SKU Dallas to mentor the next generation of brands. Mentors can apply at mentors@sku.is.
Mentors for SKU Dallas do not need to be based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. SKU Dallas is supported by DFW CPG, a local group working to foster growth and connection within the region’s food and beverage industry.
The 12-week program, for later-stage CPG startups kicks off on August 24st and runs through November 16th. The track culminates with a Showcase Pitch event in December.
SKU Dallas combines in-person and virtual programming, surrounding founders with talented industry experts, investors and serial entrepreneurs. Throughout the program, founders will be guided by a team of mentors who are laser-focused on helping them grow their businesses. SKU’s mentor community is a who’s who in the CPG industry, including the founders and top executives of some of the most successful consumer product companies in Texas and beyond.
SKU has produced more than 75 alumni including a variety of innovative and successful brands, including Siete Foods, Seaweed Bath Co., Austin Eastciders and EPIC Provisions. After participating in SKU’s eighth cohort in 2020, sparkling water brand, Aura Bora, has seen tremendous growth and is now in 1,500 stores expecting to do $4M in sales in 2021.
“I am so appreciative that the SKU community provides a forum for mentors to engage with these exceptional individuals and pay it forward,” says SKU mentor Adam Michaels, head of strategy and M&A, NA Ventures at Mondelēz International. “I become even more excited about CPG innovation when I see passionate entrepreneurs seek to understand their consumers and overdeliver on their needs. I couldn’t be more appreciative of this opportunity to serve and have a front row seat to the future of CPG!”
About SKU
SKU was founded in Austin, TX in 2011 by lawyer Shari Wynne Ressler and serial entrepreneur Clayton Christopher, founder of Sweet Leaf Tea and Deep Eddy Vodka, with the mission of accelerating CPGs. It has been a catalyst in establishing Austin as a CPG powerhouse. Since it was founded, more than 75 companies have completed the SKU program. In fall 2019, SKU began expanding its reach by partnering with CPG branding company, BeyondBrands, to launch New York-based BeyondSKU. That same year, SKU joined forces with DFW CPG to launch SKU Dallas in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. In 2020, the ImpactSKU program for purpose-driven CPG startups previewed in the Twin Cities, a partnership with FINNOVATION Lab. SKU has been named one of the country’s top three accelerators by Forbes and one of the nation’s top natural foods product accelerators by New Hope Media, which puts on Expo West and Expo East, the industry’s largest trade shows.
Learn more at www.sku.is and follow along on social media @skuatx.
DFW CPG was founded in 2019 by Polsinelli’s Rick Jordan and food veteran Richard Riccardi to foster growth and connection within the region’s food and beverage industry, which includes early- to late-stage brands, billion-dollar food and beverage enterprises, food retailers and investors, and all who serve the industry. The community provides education and networking opportunities. Its website is www.dfwfoodbev.com.
Want more industry news sent straight to your inbox? Subscribe to the Foodboro newsletter!
Second Dallas Cohort Kicks Off August 24th, 2021
AUSTIN (July 1, 2021) – SKU, the nation’s first accelerator focused on consumer packaged goods (CPG), is seeking experienced consumer-product leaders for SKU Dallas to mentor the next generation of brands. Mentors can apply at mentors@sku.is.
Mentors for SKU Dallas do not need to be based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. SKU Dallas is supported by DFW CPG, a local group working to foster growth and connection within the region’s food and beverage industry.
The 12-week program, for later-stage CPG startups kicks off on August 24st and runs through November 16th. The track culminates with a Showcase Pitch event in December.
SKU Dallas combines in-person and virtual programming, surrounding founders with talented industry experts, investors and serial entrepreneurs. Throughout the program, founders will be guided by a team of mentors who are laser-focused on helping them grow their businesses. SKU’s mentor community is a who’s who in the CPG industry, including the founders and top executives of some of the most successful consumer product companies in Texas and beyond.
SKU has produced more than 75 alumni including a variety of innovative and successful brands, including Siete Foods, Seaweed Bath Co., Austin Eastciders and EPIC Provisions. After participating in SKU’s eighth cohort in 2020, sparkling water brand, Aura Bora, has seen tremendous growth and is now in 1,500 stores expecting to do $4M in sales in 2021.
“I am so appreciative that the SKU community provides a forum for mentors to engage with these exceptional individuals and pay it forward,” says SKU mentor Adam Michaels, head of strategy and M&A, NA Ventures at Mondelēz International. “I become even more excited about CPG innovation when I see passionate entrepreneurs seek to understand their consumers and overdeliver on their needs. I couldn’t be more appreciative of this opportunity to serve and have a front row seat to the future of CPG!”
About SKU
SKU was founded in Austin, TX in 2011 by lawyer Shari Wynne Ressler and serial entrepreneur Clayton Christopher, founder of Sweet Leaf Tea and Deep Eddy Vodka, with the mission of accelerating CPGs. It has been a catalyst in establishing Austin as a CPG powerhouse. Since it was founded, more than 75 companies have completed the SKU program. In fall 2019, SKU began expanding its reach by partnering with CPG branding company, BeyondBrands, to launch New York-based BeyondSKU. That same year, SKU joined forces with DFW CPG to launch SKU Dallas in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. In 2020, the ImpactSKU program for purpose-driven CPG startups previewed in the Twin Cities, a partnership with FINNOVATION Lab. SKU has been named one of the country’s top three accelerators by Forbes and one of the nation’s top natural foods product accelerators by New Hope Media, which puts on Expo West and Expo East, the industry’s largest trade shows.
Learn more at www.sku.is and follow along on social media @skuatx.
DFW CPG was founded in 2019 by Polsinelli’s Rick Jordan and food veteran Richard Riccardi to foster growth and connection within the region’s food and beverage industry, which includes early- to late-stage brands, billion-dollar food and beverage enterprises, food retailers and investors, and all who serve the industry. The community provides education and networking opportunities. Its website is www.dfwfoodbev.com.
Want more industry news sent straight to your inbox? Subscribe to the Foodboro newsletter!
Unlock this article by becoming a Foodboro Member. You'll get access to exclusive content, events, discounts and a private community to help you navigate the future of food & beverage
