The Startup CPG Podcast

Startup CPG
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The top CPG podcast in the world, highlighting stories from founders, buyer spotlights, highly practical industry insights - all to give you a better chance at success.

  1. 3H AGO

    Investor Spotlight: Brian Bernstein, Rich Products Ventures

    In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Hannah Dittman sits down with Brian Bernstein, investor at Rich Products Ventures, to explore what corporate venture capital looks like in practice—and why it might be the strategic partner early-stage food brands didn't know they needed. The conversation dives deep into evaluating product-market fit, understanding the metrics that actually matter (velocity over door count, margin bridges, the "Toledo test"), and why venture capital isn't the right fit for every founder. Brian shares his unconventional path from investment banking at Bank of America (working on the Yeti IPO) to Blue Apron during its rise and fall, to MBA at Wharton, to Restaurant Brands International (Burger King, Popeyes, Tim Hortons), and eventually landing at Rich Products Ventures. He discusses how Rich Products—a $6 billion, 80-year-old, family-owned frozen food manufacturer—operates its corporate venture fund with a hybrid approach: 60-70% financial investor, 30-40% strategic partner. Drawing from recent investments like Evergreen (frozen better-for-you waffles), Ripple (pea milk), and Delicious (frozen novelty bites), Brian reveals what separates compelling opportunities from brands that aren't ready for institutional capital. Throughout the episode, listeners gain insider perspective on corporate venture versus traditional VC, the diligence process Rich Products Ventures runs (100% of what a financial investor does, plus strategic support), and why information walls, no right of first refusal clauses, and evergreen fund structures make corporate venture an asset—not a burden. Brian emphasizes his conviction drivers: founder-market fit, velocity in natural crossing into conventional, margin bridges with clear paths to profitability, and the "Toledo test" (if it won't sell in Toledo, Ohio, it's not a scalable brand). He also shares why venture money isn't right for every brand, how to think about exit timelines (7-10 years on average), and why founders should hire only when it's painful. Whether you're evaluating corporate venture investors, preparing for diligence, or wondering if venture capital is the right path for your business, this conversation offers clarity on what early-stage food investors care about most when backing mission-driven founders building real, durable businesses. Listen in as they discuss: Brian's path: investment banking (Yeti IPO) → Blue Apron's rise and fall → Wharton MBA → RBI → Rich Products VenturesRich Products background: $6 billion revenue, 80 years old, family-owned frozen food manufacturerCorporate venture thesis: pre-farm to post-fork, $100K-$3M checks, seed to Series C stageHow corporate venture differs from traditional VC: hybrid 60-70% financial, 30-40% strategicWhy corporate venture can be an asset, not a burden: information walls, no RFR clauses, evergreen fund structureWhat makes a compelling investment: founder-market fit, velocity crossing into conventional, margin bridges, platform potentialCase studies: Evergreen (frozen waffles going after Eggo), Ripple (pea milk at scale), Delicious (frozen novelty bites)The "Toledo test": if it won't sell in Toledo, Ohio, it's not a scalable brandWhy velocity matters more than door count: depth over breadth, turns per store per SKU per weekEvaluating margins: contribution margin bridges, clear paths from 15% to 30%, initiatives in placeWhy venture capital isn't the right fit for every brand: lifestyle businesses vs. $100M disruptorsExit pathways: strategics (7-10 years, $75M+ revenue), private equity (cash flow focused), IPOs (decade+, billion-dollar brands)Advice for founders: solve a real consumer pain point, start scrappy, hire when it's painful, be ready for pivotsHow to prepare for diligence: deck, model, pipeline, margin bridge, velocity benchmarks, category contextAdvice for operators transitioning to investing: network building, warm intros, develop your thesis Episode Links: Rich Products Ventures LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rich-product-ventures/?viewAsMember=true Brian Bernstein — Investor, Rich Products Ventures LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianbernstein Website: richproductsventures.com  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 Hannah's Linkedin Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.comEpisode music by Super Fantastics

    47 min

  2. 1D AGO

    Founder Feature: Chef V of Alchemy of Food

    In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Caitlin Bricker sits down with Chef V (Vasisht Ramasubramanian), founder of Alchemy of Food—a sauce brand built on the principle that "real ingredients make real magic." After losing his sense of taste and smell from COVID-19 as a professional chef, Chef V took a sabbatical from the restaurant world and rediscovered his palate through clean eating. That devastating experience led to the creation of Alchemy of Food, a line of sauces made with real ingredients, no ultra-processed junk, and no ingredients you can't pronounce. Chef V shares his journey from attending the Culinary Institute of America (which he calls "the Hogwarts of cooking schools") to opening restaurants around the world for well-known chefs, to winding down his restaurant career after COVID and launching a CPG brand. The conversation explores the moment he realized he couldn't smell cinnamon and cardamom in his rice, how honey from a local beekeeper became the foundation for his first sauces, and why he sold at five farmers markets a week in summer 2025 to validate product-market fit before scaling. Throughout the episode, Chef V discusses the transition from buying 5 pounds of honey for a restaurant to sourcing 55,000 pounds for CPG production, why he's a trendsetter (not a trend follower) who champions local ingredients like Tennessee honey and Carolina spices over imported truffles, and how his chipotle maple sauce became a crowd favorite with its time-release mechanism (sweet first, smoky second, heat third). He also shares his experience as a Shelfie Awards finalist, getting selected for Sprouts' innovation set, and what it's like to see his products on shelves next to industry giants like Yellowbird and Momofuku. Whether you're a chef-turned-founder navigating the science of CPG (pH levels, refractor readings, specific density), sourcing local ingredients to build a differentiated product, or building a self-funded brand while navigating the immigrant founder experience, this conversation offers honest lessons on transferring restaurant principles to CPG, staying true to your ingredient philosophy, and finding community in an industry that celebrates diverse flavors. Listen in as they discuss: Chef V's background: Culinary Institute of America, opening restaurants worldwide, and the devastating moment he lost his sense of taste and smell from COVIDWhat it's like to fake tasting food as a chef when you can't smell cinnamon or taste cardamom—and the fear it might never come backHow a local Tennessee beekeeper's surplus crystallized honey became the foundation for Alchemy of FoodSelling at five farmers markets a week in summer 2025 to validate product-market fit before scalingThe transition from restaurant to CPG: buying 5 pounds vs. 55,000 pounds of honey, and the science of pH levels, refractor readings, and co-packer partnershipsWhy honey and maple syrup over other sweeteners: being a trendsetter (not a trend follower) with local ingredients like Tennessee honey and Carolina spicesChipotle maple sauce's time-release mechanism: sweet first, smoky second, heat third—and becoming a Shelfie Awards finalistGetting selected for Sprouts' innovation set and the distributor onboarding process that "brokered world peace and almost found the cure for cancer"Favorite pairings: bacon-wrapped dates with chipotle maple, hot honey on pizza and ice cream, salsa verde on everythingNavigating the immigrant founder experience: celebrating diversity, expanding palates, and why we need more flavors from diverse backgrounds Episode Links: Website: https://www.theflavorsmith.comAlchemy of Food LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-flavorsmith/Chef V. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vasisht-r-1814b69/ Available at: Sprouts (Innovation Set), Amazon, UNFI WholesaleDon'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 podcast@startupcpg.comEpisode music by Super Fantastics

    29 min

  3. 4D AGO

    #235 - Winter FancyFaire* Recap with Leana Salamah from SFA, John Lane from Raley's, and Marc Brown from ONOIN

    In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Daniel Scharff sits down with Leana Salamah from the Specialty Food Association, John Lane from The Raley's Companies, and Marc Brown, founder of ONOIN—to recap the Winter FancyFaire* 2026 in San Diego. After 18 months of planning, the SFA brought together 10,000 attendees and over 1,000 brands for three days of 70-degree sunshine, meaningful buyer-brand connections, and a reimagined trade show experience that integrated San Diego's culinary scene into every corner of the event. Leana shares how the show evolved from a traditional trade show format into something that felt fresh, innovative, and community-driven—featuring restaurant takeovers, neighborhood activations, and a show floor designed to create a journey through specialty food trends. John discusses why he made the trek from Northern California to scout innovation for Raley's Get Curious initiative, what trends he's tracking for the back half of 2026 (hello, sense maxing and Protein 2.0), and how 20-30 brands from the show will land on Raley's shelves in the next 7-8 months. Marc pulls back the curtain on what it's really like to exhibit as an emerging brand—from missing the first hour because of a wedding in New York to getting swarmed by buyers the moment he arrived, to landing tangible retailer acceptances and building a pipeline for the next 6-12 months. Throughout the episode, the group discusses the magic of the Startup CPG section (and why brands fight to get in), the importance of a 60-70% buyer-to-brand ratio, why Fancy shows offer the perfect middle ground between distributor deal-making and Expo's overwhelming scale, and how to use trade shows strategically across the year. They also preview what's coming for Summer Fancy Food in New York City (June 28-30)—and why you should book your hotel NOW because of the World Cup. Whether you're deciding which trade shows to invest in, looking to understand what buyers are really seeking at events, or wondering how to maximize ROI from your booth investment, this conversation offers honest reflections on what makes a trade show worth it—and why Winter Fancy Fair 2026 set a new standard. Listen in as they discuss: Winter FancyFaire* 2026 recap: San Diego, 10,000 attendees, 1,030 brands, and 70-degree sunshineHow SFA reimagined the trade show experience with city activations, restaurant takeovers, and culinary integrationsThe "sense maxing" trend of 2026: multi-sensory flavor experiences as pushback against AIWhy Raley's came to scout innovation: planning the back half of 2026 and spotting trends 6-7 months earlyJohn Lane's trend predictions: Protein 2.0 (protein + fiber + benefits) and ready-to-drink broths making a comebackThe Startup CPG section advantage: curated brands, high buyer traffic, and a family atmosphereMarc Brown's first-timer experience: missing the first hour, getting swarmed by TJ Maxx and Whole Foods, and landing retailer acceptancesWhy the 60-70% buyer-to-brand ratio matters—and how it creates better conversationsThe "How Do Retailers Spot Innovation" panel: standing room only with buyers from Raley's, Thrive, Whole Foods, and CVSHow 20-30 brands from Winter Fancy Fair will land on Raley's shelves in the next 7-8 monthsUsing trade shows strategically: distributor shows for deals, Expo for scale, Fancy for meaningful buyer relationshipsBuilding friendships booth-to-booth: why CPG is a team sport and your booth neighbor is your future resourceThe value of expert one-on-ones at Fancy: free sessions with buyers like CVS's Lauren CastroSummer Fancy Food preview: June 28-30 in NYC—book hotels NOW because of the World CupWhy going slow, building relationships, and playing the long game wins at trade shows Episode Links: ONOIN: https://eatonoin.com/ Marc Brown LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/marc-brown-41500546/?skipRedirect=true John Lane LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnlane-raleys/ Raley's Get Curious: https://www.raleys.com Leana Salamah LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leanasalamah/ Specialty Food Association: https://www.specialtyfood.com  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. 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 podcast@startupcpg.comEpisode music by Super Fantastics You can find Little Sesame nationwide at retailers like Whole Foods and Sprouts, or order directly online. Visit eatlittlesesame.com —and use code STARTUPCPG for 20% off your order.

    40 min

  4. FEB 7

    Investor Spotlight: Hayden Williams, BrandProject

    In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Hannah Dittman sits down with Hayden Williams, Partner at BrandProject, to explore what pre-launch investors look for in consumer brands—before there's even a product name or revenue. The conversation unpacks the Wonderbelly acquisition by P&G, revealing what drives conviction at the idea stage and how authentic brand building in overlooked categories can lead to strategic exits. Hayden shares how BrandProject approaches pre-launch investing with 1-3M checks, often becoming the first money in before founders have finalized their company name. He breaks down the Wonderbelly case study: how two brothers reimagining gut health with clean-label antacids went from "Ginger Health" and "Aunt Acid" to a P&G acquisition in just over four years. Drawing from this portfolio success, Hayden reveals the three pillars of pre-launch conviction—founder-market fit, compelling problem-solution, and timely category opportunity—and explains why bringing humor and levity to unsexy, stigmatized categories creates authentic consumer trust that strategics can't easily replicate. Throughout the episode, listeners gain practical insights on crafting pre-launch fundraising narratives, understanding what "right time to build" actually means, and why explicit customer personas drive everything from packaging to retail execution. Hayden discusses the investor-founder working relationship post-check, why fundraising remains challenging even with strong traction, and what makes brands attractive acquisition targets beyond distribution. Whether you're raising pre-launch, building in an overlooked category, or curious how early investors evaluate ideas before traction exists, this conversation offers a transparent look at pre-revenue investing and strategic exits. Listen in as they discuss: How BrandProject invests pre-launch with 1-3M checks before product names existThe Wonderbelly story: from idea stage to P&G acquisition in 4+ yearsThree pillars of pre-launch conviction: founder-market fit, problem-solution, category timingWhy Lucas's personal digestive health struggles created authentic founder-market fitIdentifying ripe categories: gut health aisle frozen in time with 100-year-old brandsPre-launch diligence focus: evaluating team and market without product or revenueThe importance of explicit customer personas in driving packaging and retail strategyDTC launch validation and the transition to retail with exclusive Target launchPost-investment working relationship: monthly calls and perspective sharingWhy fundraising remained challenging despite hitting successive milestonesConsumer psychology and brand world-building: choosing fun over traditional positioningWhat strategics look for: authentic consumer trust and master brand potentialThe value of levity and humor in destigmatizing unsexy categoriesCritical founder traits: grit, perseverance, and not taking yourself too seriouslyWhat excites Hayden next: clean medicine in overlooked aisles and defensible IPAdvice for aspiring investors: build operating experience and send great deal flow Episode Links: BrandProject Website: https://www.brandproject.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brandproject-lp/  Hayden Williams - Partner, BrandProject LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howillia/ 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 Hannah's Linkedin Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.comEpisode music by Super Fantastics You can find Little Sesame nationwide at retailers like Whole Foods and Sprouts, or order directly online. Visit eatlittlesesame.com —and use code STARTUPCPG for 20% off your order.

    39 min

  5. FEB 6

    Founder Feature: Kartik Das of Doosra

    In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Caitlin Bricker welcomes Kartik Das, founder of Doosra, a modern Indian snack brand bringing a fresh perspective to South Asian flavors. Kartik shares his journey from growing up in Chennai and Singapore to building a food brand in New York that celebrates the rich, diverse snack culture of India. Drawing from his background as a classically trained French chef, he explains how Doosra combines the essence of traditional Indian snacks with unexpected twists—like a subtle touch of sweetness—to create unique, crave-worthy experiences. Throughout the conversation, Kartik reflects on the inspiration behind Doosra’s name, which means “different” or “other,” and how it perfectly captures his approach to doing things his own way. He discusses the brand’s evolution—from humble beginnings at farmers’ markets with handmade packaging to its now-recognizable bright orange design and playful mascot, Ladu. Kartik also opens up about his deliberate decision to grow sustainably, focusing on building strong relationships with retailers, engaging directly with customers through sampling events, and prioritizing quality over rapid expansion. Gain insight into the broader South Asian CPG movement, as Kartik highlights dozens of fellow brands driving awareness and collaboration within the category. He emphasizes the importance of community over competition, thoughtful branding, and authenticity in every aspect of business. Tune in to hear how Doosra is redefining what it means to snack differently—and discover the power of culture, creativity, and connection behind every bite. Listen in as they share about: Founding Doosra and the Brand’s MeaningThe Flavor PhilosophyBrand Identity and Packaging EvolutionSouth Asian Representation in CPGCommunity and Growth StrategyRetail, Partnerships, and Product TestingUpcoming Collaborations and InitiativesLessons for Entrepreneurs Episode Links: Website: https://eatdoosra.com/ LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/daskartik/  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 podcast@startupcpg.comEpisode music by Super Fantastics You can find Little Sesame nationwide at retailers like Whole Foods and Sprouts, or order directly online. Visit eatlittlesesame.com —and use code STARTUPCPG for 20% off your order.

    34 min

  6. FEB 3

    #234 - Startup CPG's Expo West 2026 Preview

    In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, hosts Daniel Scharff and Patricia Menegoto deliver the definitive preview of Expo West 2026, walking through every Startup CPG event and opportunity during the industry's most important week in Anaheim. The conversation covers Monday's Grocery Run with Gelson's 2.0 in Venice (bigger venue after last year's sellout), Tuesday's Kickoff Dinner at the Anaheim White House featuring industry leader dinners alongside main networking with buyers from Ahold and Whole Foods, the curated Startup CPG section with 20 brands and 500+ one-on-one buyer meetings, Wednesday's transformed Alley Rally (now 50 brands sampling in grocery run format with the top brand winning a free 2027 booth), and Thursday's Founders Dinner at Poppy and Seed designed for authentic founder-to-founder connections. Daniel and Patricia emphasize tactical strategies: always bring cold product to events, wear brand swag, apply early for sampling opportunities, and don't be intimidated to come solo. They share Startup CPG's culture of radical welcomeness—team members actively introduce people standing alone, making events feel like "camp reunion" rather than transactional networking. Patricia highlights her favorite section brands (Lupini pizzas, Pisca hot sauce) while Daniel emphasizes that Expo success comes from relationships built, not just immediate sales. Listen in as they discuss: Monday Grocery Run with Gelson's: entire buying team + CEO attending, brands getting distribution on the spotTuesday Kickoff Dinner: 300 attendees, industry leader dinners (ops, sales, e-commerce, finance, foodservice), confirmed retailersStartup CPG section: 20 brands, 500 buyer meetings, 30+ retailers scheduling appointments throughout showHow sampling applications work: retailers pick brands they want to meet, not random selectionAlley Rally evolution: 1,300+ attendees, expanding from 12 to 50 brands sampling, grocery run formatThursday Founders Dinner: intimate evening focused on authentic connections without pitching pressureTactical advice: bring cold product everywhere, wear brand swag, buy tickets early (everything sells out)Why founder life is lonely and meeting others facing same struggles creates lasting support networks Episode Links: Startup CPG Events: https://startupcpg.com/events Daniel Scharff LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danscharff/Patricia Menegoto LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pmenegoto/Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. For sponsorship opportunities or to join the 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 (30K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Daniel's Linkedin Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.comEpisode music by Super Fantastics

    39 min

  7. JAN 31

    Investor Spotlight: Nate Cooper, Barrel Ventures

    In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Hannah Dittman sits down with Nate Cooper, investor at Barrel Ventures, to explore what early-stage food and beverage investors look for when backing emerging brands. The conversation dives deep into evaluating product-market fit, understanding what drives conviction in early-stage deals, and why founder characteristics matter just as much as metrics when building a fundable CPG brand. Nate shares his unconventional path from multi-generational food industry roots to failed entrepreneur to successful angel investor—landing Olipop as his very first check. He discusses how Barrel Ventures approaches pre-seed to Series A investments with hyper-specialized focus on anything that touches food, from pre-farm to post-fork. Drawing from portfolio wins like Olipop, Gonanas, and Nowadays, Nate reveals what separates compelling opportunities from brands that aren't quite ready—and how founders can position themselves before they start raising capital. Throughout the episode, listeners gain insider perspective on building investor relationships, the founder traits that signal long-term success, and practical advice on metrics that matter: velocity over door count, margin structures relative to category benchmarks, and the power of compounding growth over hypergrowth. Nate emphasizes his litmus test for investment decisions: "Would I work for this person?" He also shares why non-consensus bets often become the biggest winners, how GLP-1s and wearables are reshaping food consumption, and why humility, grit, and team-first language are green flags for early-stage backers. Whether you're building toward your first institutional round or evaluating angel investors, this conversation offers clarity on what early-stage food investors care about most when backing mission-driven founders building real, durable businesses. Listen in as they discuss: Nate's path from multi-generational food family to failed founder to early Olipop investorBarrel Ventures' thesis: pre-seed to Series A, pre-farm to post-fork, $100K-$750K checksWhy velocity matters exponentially more than door count when scaling retailEvaluating margins relative to category benchmarks and line of sight to profitabilityThe "messy middle" of CPG growth: slotting fees, distribution, team building, and inventoryWhy compounding steady growth (3 triples, 2 doubles) beats hypergrowth in CPGThe power of habit formation: products that become ingrained in daily routinesPattern recognition: identifying founder traits that signal resilience and executionNate's investment litmus test: "Would I work for this person?"Why non-consensus bets (Olipop, Nowadays) often become category-defining brandsMarket trends: GLP-1 impact on food vs. alcohol, protein positioning, AI applicationsFounder characteristics that matter: humility, grit, "we" vs. "me" languageHow to prepare for diligence: deck, model, sell sheet, org chart, and radical transparencyWhy showing your warts early builds trust better than hiding themAdvice for operators transitioning to investing: network building and karma-driven connections Episode Links: Barrel VenturesWebsite: http://www.barrelvc.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/barrel-ventures/about/  Nate Cooper - Investor, Barrel VenturesLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-cooper-2ba9aa19/  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 Hannah's Linkedin Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.comEpisode music by Super Fantastics

    39 min

  8. JAN 30

    Founder Feature: Yaniv Simpson of The Conscious Bar

    In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Caitlin Bricker welcomes Yaniv Simpson, founder of The Conscious Bar, for an inspiring conversation about redefining the chocolate industry through radical transparency and intentionality. Yaniv shares his unique journey from getting banned from a candy store at age five to building a date-sweetened craft chocolate company committed to proving that chocolate isn't candy. Yaniv discusses the inspiration behind The Conscious Bar—a mission to create chocolate that's truly good for you, not just "better for you." He explains how combining two ancient superfoods, cacao and dates, with zero additives creates an indulgent experience that doesn't compromise on health, ethics, or environmental impact. The conversation explores the complexities of sourcing ethical, organic cacao that meets strict Prop 65 standards while maintaining phenomenal flavor profiles. They also delve into The Conscious Bar's commitment to 100% compostable packaging, building transparency into every aspect of the supply chain, and the decision to invest deeply in direct-to-consumer and social media education before scaling to retail. Yaniv reflects on the importance of intentionality in every decision—from nine months sourcing compostable materials to building a full creative agency in-house to educate consumers on why sugar isn't just sugar. You will also hear about The Conscious Bar's community-building approach through educational content, their VIP Circle, and upcoming limited edition SKUs launching in early 2026 as they expand into natural grocery retail. Tune in to learn how The Conscious Bar is challenging decades of cultural programming around chocolate by building trust, transparency, and a brand that refuses to compromise. Listen in as they share about: Origins of The Conscious Bar and Yaniv's Candy Store BanWhy Chocolate Isn't Candy: Redefining the CategorySourcing Ethical Cacao and Compostable PackagingThe Nine-Month Journey to Perfection Before LaunchBuilding a Creative Agency In-House for EducationDirect-to-Consumer Strategy and Community BuildingRetail Expansion Plans for 2026 Episode Links: Website: https://theconsciousbar.co/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconsciousbar.co Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yaniv-simpson-aa72b22a/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-conscious-bar/  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 (20K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Caitlin's Linkedin Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.comEpisode music by Super Fantastics

    31 min
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About

The top CPG podcast in the world, highlighting stories from founders, buyer spotlights, highly practical industry insights - all to give you a better chance at success.

Information

  • Creator
    Startup CPG
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    386
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Startup CPG
  • Show Website
    The Startup CPG Podcast

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