Startup CPG

Startup CPG We're here to elevate young CPG brands through opportunities to shine, access to decision makers, and vital resources.

This page is not active - visit us at startupcpg.com & join our slack channel

09/09/2026

Ever wonder what winning $15,000 in free packaging feels like? We asked Ryan, Co- Founder of Happy Moose Juice, and his answer says it all. 🎉

“A few weeks after entering, we found out we won... $15,000 in free closures. That’s the value of free caps for an entire year.” 🙌

For emerging brands, every penny counts, and when you’re computing 3, 4, 5 cents a piece for a lid or closure, that math adds up FAST. This is exactly why we partner with Silgan Closures! They’re not just a packaging supplier, they’re actually looking out for emerging brands (especially ones in our community 😉).

The best part? Submitting your company takes less than 2 minutes. ⏱️

👀 Want in? Comment “FREE CLOSURES” and we’ll send you the link to get your brand in the running.


Shelfie winners... this is your sign to bedazzle your shelfie trophy when you get it 💖💎✨🦋JK — that’s way too precious of...
09/08/2026

Shelfie winners... this is your sign to bedazzle your shelfie trophy when you get it 💖💎✨🦋

JK — that’s way too precious of an award for that (yes, I made this in Canva 😭). Here’s a better idea: bedazzle your product and snap a pic of it next to your Shelfie Trophy📸💎

📰 Our Newswire Roundup is here, featuring the latest press releases from across the CPG community! This week, we’re hig...
09/08/2026

📰 Our Newswire Roundup is here, featuring the latest press releases from across the CPG community! This week, we’re highlighting the newest innovations to exciting retail launches happening nationwide. There’s no shortage of fresh ideas hitting shelves. 🛒

Discover what’s new, who’s launching, and the brands shaping the future of snacking. It’s been a busy yet exciting time for our emerging brand community, and these latest press releases are seriously worth celebrating. From nationwide launches to award-winning moments, there’s no shortage of big wins happening in CPG right now. See below for a peek at some of the headlines:

✨West Indies Peppa Sauce (WIPS)

✨FEEL HUMAN AGAIN w/ small town cultures

✨Nomie | Just-Add-Water Kids Meals

✨Dimplys Seasoning

✨M*STARD

✨SABABA FOODS

✨Ronnie's Giardiniera

✨MASPANADAS by Latin Goodness Foods

✨everyday MSG seasoning

✨Lottie’s Meats & Provisions

Got a milestone worth sharing? The Startup CPG Newswire is a FREE publishing service for emerging brands to get their news in front of the entire CPG community. Submit today at the link in bio.




Hot Brands of 2026: MILKish 🍉 Watermelon. Seed. Milk.MILKish is the world’s first watermelon seed milk, created by found...
09/07/2026

Hot Brands of 2026: MILKish 🍉 Watermelon. Seed. Milk.

MILKish is the world’s first watermelon seed milk, created by founder Guilherme Maia Silva as a new take on plant-based dairy. It’s delicious, with a slightly nutty taste with a hint of sweetness, with zero sugar, zero gums, zero processed seed oils, and non-GMO ingredients. It actually performs like milk: you can steam it for lattes, mix it with matcha, blend it into smoothies, or pour it over cereal.

So why watermelon seeds?
Guilherme studied plant sciences and became obsessed with the environmental footprint of the crops behind the products we consume. He eventually landed on watermelon seeds: according to his research, they have a 99% lower water footprint than almonds, with more protein and fewer calories.

And MILKish is starting to get some serious traction.
They launched into Northern California earlier this year and are now in 125 locations including cafes, with some of our favorite retailers like Berkeley Bowl, Rainbow Grocery, Oliver’s and Mollie Stone’s. Next up: a big Southern California expansion, including a planned launch at Erewhon. Available through Rock Island, and soon in UNFI Valley.

Oh, and no biggie, but MILkish won the 2025 Startup CPG Shelfie Award for Best Plant-Based Alternative.🏆

Plant-based milk is obviously a crowded category, so if you’re gonna do it, why not create an entirely new base ingredient with a compelling sustainability story? I guess that’s why they have a 4.63 average star rating out of 133 reviews. Go MILKish!!!!

09/04/2026

💰The right room can change the trajectory of your raise.💰

Founders & Funders 2026 is bringing together 200 emerging consumer brands and 100+ active investors for a full day of curated 1:1 meetings in NYC. 🚨28 days left to apply!

Last year, 160 brands connected with 70 investors across 600+ meetings — and those conversations have since turned into real relationships and closed rounds.

This year, the room is bigger, the investor network is 3x larger, and there are even more opportunities to get in front of the right people.

If you’re planning to raise in 2026 or 2027, this is one room you’ll want to be in.

Applications close October 1 at 5 PM PT, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

👉Comment “Founders & Funders” and we’ll send you the application. 💵

See the full list of VCs joining on the website.

DENVER GROCERY RUN WAS A BLAST!🛒✨ After the Newtopia Now show floor closed on August 19, we kept the energy going! 🛒✨Wit...
09/03/2026

DENVER GROCERY RUN WAS A BLAST!🛒✨ 

After the Newtopia Now show floor closed on August 19, we kept the energy going! 🛒✨

With 25 community brands sampling for nearly 200 attendees, the room was buzzing with connections, conversations, and plenty of great products to discover.

We were joined by guests from UNFI, KeHE, Fresh Thyme Market, Kroger, Target, and so many more…all looking for their next great brand discovery.

And the best part? We have more Grocery Runs coming up! 👀

Our schedule for the rest of the year is almost completely set, which means there are only a few more chances to join us at a Grocery Run before 2027.

🎟️ Here are the General Admission Grocery Runs with tickets still on sale:

📍 Southeast Grocery Run with Whole Foods Market — September 8 | Miami

📍 Bay Area Grocery Run with Woodlands Market — September 17

📍 SoCal Grocery Run — September 30 | SOLD OUT 🔥

📍 The Fresh Market Grocery Run — October 15 | Miami

📍 Chicago Grocery Run with Fresh Thyme Market — October 27

🎉 BONUS: NYC Happy Hour — November 6

If you’re looking to get your brand in front of top-tier industry VIPs, build meaningful connections, and get your products into the hands of the right people, don’t miss your chance.

🎟️ Grab your ticket while you can. Comment “EVENTS” for a link to all events coming up

Thank you to our sponsors, Belmark, EasyOps, and  Faire .

ALL ABOARD! YACHT PARTY TO CELEBRATE 40K! 🛥️🎉⚓Our community is about to reach 40k Slack members, so it’s time to celebra...
09/03/2026

ALL ABOARD! YACHT PARTY TO CELEBRATE 40K! 🛥️🎉⚓

Our community is about to reach 40k Slack members, so it’s time to celebrate! 🥳

On September 29 in Los Angeles, we’re throwing a Yacht Party to commemorate this HUGE milestone, and you’re invited.

The party is the night before our sold out SoCal Grocery Run, and you better believe we’ll be inviting VIPs to join us at sea! 🌊

We’ll have an open bar and light food will be provided. All you need to do is show up ready to party. Come celebrate with us as we raise a toast to 40k on Slack! 🥂🍾

Get your tickets soon though — space is extremely limited and this will sell out.

Comment “40K” to get tickets 🎟️

Say hello to another round of amazing new brands joining the Startup CPG community! 🎉 If you’re tagged, drop a comment a...
09/02/2026

Say hello to another round of amazing new brands joining the Startup CPG community! 🎉 If you’re tagged, drop a comment and introduce yourselves — we want to hear your story!

✨Nowadays

✨Sivan Spices

✨PHiSTiK

✨

✨Pride Road

✨Revello Modern Mixers

✨Hummzies

✨Cantonese Breakfast Granola

✨Nal's Kitchen

✨Goldholly Yaupon Co.

✨Of Coarse ™ | Coffee Beans & Cold Brew

✨sweetr

✨Beto’s Butter

✨Tiny Tots Secret Sauce

✨Samsāra Nutrition

✨S U P E R F R E E ™️

✨KETRO

✨Balgan

Curious how to get your brand featured? Head over to our Slack community, introduce yourself in the introductions channel, and be sure to include your socials, website, and live product images. Once you’ve checked all the boxes, you’re in line to be featured!

We’ve got new brands joining every day — thanks for your patience as we work through the queue 😎




09/02/2026

Calling all emerging brands ready to get on Whole Foods Market shelves 👀🛒

Forager Fest Grocery Run is here! 🎉 For the first time ever, the full Whole Foods Market forager team + Emerging Brands Merchants are coming together for one national Grocery Run in Nashville.

9 foragers. Every region. All in one room. One day in Nashville.

If you’re selected, you’ll get dedicated face time with the forager for your region — the person who actually decides what lands on shelf.

📍 November 11 • Nashville, TN

Applications are open - don’t wait on this one.

👉Comment “FORAGER FEST” and we’ll send you the link to apply.

Address

Los Angeles, CA

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Startup CPG posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Startup CPG:

Shortcuts

Share