The Startup CPG Podcast

In this mini episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Daniel Scharff breaks down everything you need to know about the Founders & Funders Roadshow — a brand new series of accessible, city-based fundraising events coming to four cities in 2026. After the massive success of the December Founders & Funders event in New York City, Startup CPG is bringing the same energy and caliber of investors directly to founders across the country.

Daniel walks through exactly how the events work — from filling out your one-pager to getting matched for 10-minute 1:1 meetings with active VCs — and makes a strong case for why getting your ticket early is essential. He also shares the impressive VC lineups already confirmed for Los Angeles and New York, and gives practical tips for how to show up prepared and make the most of your time.

Whether you're actively fundraising or just starting to build relationships with investors, this episode will help you decide if the Roadshow is right for you — and how to get the most out of it.

Listen in as Daniel covers:

What the Founders & Funders Roadshow is and how it differs from the flagship December event
How the one-pager and 1:1 meeting matching process works — and why you can't wait until the last minute
The VC lineups confirmed for Los Angeles (April 27) and New York City (May 12)
What to expect at the event: 1:1 meetings, panels, and open networking
How to approach early VC conversations even if you're not actively raising
Tips for making the most of your 10-minute meeting
Upcoming cities: Austin (June 9) and San Francisco (August 17)

Episode Links:

🎟 Founders & Funders Roadshow — Los Angeles, April 27: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/founders-funders-roadshow-los-angeles-tickets-1982555454734?aff=oddtdtcreator

🎟 Founders & Funders Roadshow — New York City, May 12: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/founders-funders-roadshow-nyc-tickets-1983269882607

🎟 Founders & Funders Roadshow — Austin, June 9: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/founders-funders-roadshow-austin-tickets-1983637326642

🎟 Founders & Funders Roadshow — San Francisco, August 17: Coming soon

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 @startupcpg
Visit host Daniel's Linkedin 
Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at [email protected]
Episode music by Super Fantastics

In this mini episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Daniel Scharff sits down with Ian Haworth, Business Development Director at FlavorSum, to talk all things flavor—timed with the launch of Startup CPG's first-ever Product Developer Directory. FlavorSum is a fast-growing North American custom flavor manufacturer built specifically for growing food and beverage brands and the formulators who serve them.

Ian breaks down what custom flavors actually are and when you need them, how FlavorSum's "solutions model" covers everything from marketing insights and regulatory affairs to sensory and analytical support, and why their "Amazon-like" approach—samples within 48 hours, pricing within 24—sets them apart. He also shares a great example of a father-daughter duo who came in for an in-person tech session and walked out with a finished non-alcoholic beverage concept in hours.

Whether you're a brand trying to understand what to look for in a flavor supplier or a formulator evaluating partners, this episode gives you a quick but packed look at how the right flavor house can accelerate your go-to-market.

Listen in as they discuss:

What custom flavors are and when off-the-shelf options aren't enough
The FlavorSum solutions model: marketing insights, regulatory, sensory, and analytical all under one roof
Why response time matters—and how FlavorSum built their business around 24–48 hour turnarounds
FlavorSum Access: a 24/7 portal for technical and safety data sheets
What brands should be asking about their flavors: claims, heat and pH stability, shelf life, and retailer compliance
How to get ahead of supply chain disruptions before they delay your production

Episode Links:

Ian Haworth – Business Development Director, FlavorSum

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-haworth-54561328/

🔗 Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flavorsumllc/

🌐 Flavorsum Website: https://www.flavorsum.com/contact

Startup CPG Product Developer Directory: https://startupcpg.com/product-developer-directory

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 @startupcpg
Visit host Daniel's Linkedin 
Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at [email protected]
Episode music by Super Fantastics

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Daniel Scharff sits down with Megan Westgate—founder and CEO of the Non GMO Project—to introduce her groundbreaking new certification: Non UPF Verified. With nearly two decades of experience in food integrity, Megan unpacks why ultra processed foods are driving a global health crisis, how the new standard was designed to fill a critical gap in the marketplace, and what it means for brands, retailers, investors, and consumers alike.
Megan shares the origin story of the Non GMO Project—starting from a laptop on her bedroom floor with no desk and no salary—and draws powerful parallels to the cultural moment we're in now around ultra processed foods. She explains how the Non UPF Verified standard was designed to find a meaningful middle ground: not rubber-stamping all industrially produced food, but also not making the bar so high that no brand can realistically achieve it. The standard requires that at least 70% of a verified product's ingredients be minimally processed, prohibits ultra processed ingredients like hexane extraction and non-nutritive sweeteners, and sets category-specific limits on refined added sugars.
The conversation dives into what ultra processed really means (and why the definition is more contested than you'd think), how this standard differs from organic and Non GMO, and why 52% of consumers now say degree of processing is their number one concern when buying food—more than GMOs or organic. Megan also shares early momentum: 300+ brands on the waitlist, 115 products already verified through the pilot, and early adopters including Amy's, Simple Mills, and Spindrift.
Whether you're a founder formulating a new product, a brand considering certification, or a buyer trying to make sense of the UPF conversation, this episode is essential listening.
Listen in as they discuss:

How the Non GMO Project started from scratch—one laptop, no desk, no salary—and what made it take off
What "ultra processed" actually means and why the definition matters so much
The Non UPF Verified standard: prohibited ingredients, the 70% minimally processed requirement, and category-specific sugar limits
How Non UPF Verified differs from organic, Non GMO, and clean label claims
Why 52% of consumers cite degree of processing as their top concern—surpassing GMOs and organic
The business case for early-stage brands to formulate for this standard from day one
What the certification process looks like: document-based, no on-site inspections, no testing required
How legacy CPG brands are responding (spoiler: new product launches, not reformulations)
Early pilot brands: Amy's, Simple Mills, and Spindrift
Where to find the standard, consumer research, and how to get started at non-ultra-processed.org

Episode Links:
Megan Westgate – Founder & CEO, Non-GMO Project + Non-UPF Verified
🔗LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganethompson/
🔗Non UPF Verified LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/non-upf-verified/
🌐 Website: https://www.nonultraprocessed.org/
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 @startupcpg
Visit host Daniel's Linkedin 
Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at [email protected]
Episode music by Super Fantastics

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Hannah Dittman sits down with Jamie Borteck, independent board member and advisor, to explore what it really means to bring an experienced operator into your corner—and why the right advisor can be the difference between surviving and scaling. The conversation dives deep into the advisor-founder dynamic, what makes a brand compelling to a seasoned operator, and why building the financial and operational foundation of your business early is non-negotiable.

Jamie shares his path from brand management training at Kraft Foods (Chips Ahoy, Ritz, Back to Nature, 100 Calorie Packs) to scaling high-growth startups including Food Should Taste Good (acquired by General Mills), Justin's (acquired by Hormel), and Grillo's Pickles (acquired by King’s Hawaiian)—each a chapter in over 20 years of CPG leadership. After years of presenting to boards, traveling relentlessly, and building businesses from scrappy startup to national category leader, Jamie channeled everything he learned into JCB Growth, a board-level advisory practice helping emerging CPG founders navigate growth strategy, leadership inflection points, and the journey toward exit.

Throughout the episode, Jamie shares how he evaluates brands and founders (product, brand name, founder energy, velocity data, margin structure, and scalability), what the ideal advisor-company relationship looks like in practice (weekly check-ins, catered to life stage and founder needs), and why the advisor role is as much about being a trusted thought partner and confidant as it is about strategic guidance. He also offers a compelling perspective on D2C as a proof-of-performance strategy for early-stage brands seeking investment, and why building brand equity before jumping into national retail may be the smarter path.

Whether you're a founder wondering when to bring on an advisor, an operator thinking about transitioning to an advisory role, or a brand trying to understand what board-level support actually looks like, this conversation offers clarity, candor, and a lot of hard-won wisdom from someone who has been in the weeds—and come out the other side.

Listen in as they discuss:
Jamie's path: Kraft Foods (Chips Ahoy, 100 Calorie Packs) → Food Should Taste Good → Justin's → Grillo's Pickles → Independent Advising
How to evaluate external partners: match gaps, life stage understanding, category knowledge, and mutual fit
What the ideal advisor relationship looks like: weekly one-on-ones, situational support, catered to founder style and business needs
Advisor vs. fractional: strategic mentorship and thought partnership vs. operational execution
The lifecycle of an advisorship: from pre-Series A through exit, and when relationships evolve or end
How Jamie evaluates brands: brand name, packaging, founder energy, velocity data, margin structure, scalability, and exit optionality
Case studies: Rind Snacks (Matt Weiss's vision for snacking), Actual Veggies (iconic brand potential), Stone & Skillet
Lessons learned: build the foundation first—forecasting, co-packer management, cash flow planning, and margin structure
Handling obstacles well: accountability, transparency to the board, and human leadership in tough moments
D2C as a proof-of-performance strategy: why early-stage brands with D2C traction have a fundraising advantage
Why investors need data: velocity, Amazon ratings, brand metrics—not just a buyer saying "great"
When to bring on an advisor: it's a gut-level call, not a revenue milestone
Advice for operators transitioning to advising: be yourself, know where you add value, meet people organically

Episode Links:

Jamie Borteck, Independent Board Member/Advisor

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jamieborteck

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 @startupcpg
Visit host Hannah's Linkedin 
Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at [email protected]
Episode music by Super Fantastics

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Caitlin Bricker sits down with Emmanuel Waters and Courtney Tucker, co-founders of Old Hillside Bourbon Company—a premium spirit brand that celebrates history, heritage, and homage in every pour. What started as a pandemic-era phone call between cousins and childhood friends became one of the most compelling brand stories in the spirits industry, rooted in Black history, community pride, and a commitment to craft.

Emmanuel and Courtney share how two cousins who barely knew each other connected during the height of COVID-19 to build a bourbon brand named after Hillside High School—the oldest African American high school in the United States, located in Durham, North Carolina, one of five Black Wall Streets in America. They dig into the barriers Black founders face in a $40 billion spirits industry where African Americans represent nearly 12% of consumers but less than 1% of ownership, and explain why telling the stories that history tries to erase is at the heart of everything they do.

From the black jockeys who dominated the Kentucky Derby in the 1800s, to the trailblazing female jockeys of the early 1900s, to the Harlem Hellfighters—the first African American unit to fight in World War I—Old Hillside doesn't just make bourbon. They let the stories create the bourbon. And they've broken records doing it, becoming the fastest-selling bourbon in the state of North Carolina at their very first ABC Store demo.

Fair warning: you might get emotional. Caitlin did.

Listen in as they discuss:
How a pandemic-era DM on Instagram launched a bourbon company between cousins who barely knew each other
The history behind the name: Hillside High School and Durham's Black Wall Street legacy
Representing less than 1% of ownership in a $40 billion market—and building anyway
The Black jockeys who dominated horse racing in the 1800s, featured on their Last Ride Rye bottle
The Trifecta bottle honoring three pioneering female jockeys—and the moment two families who knew each other in the 1930s met for the very first time at an Old Hillside event
The Harlem Hellfighters release: aged 191 days, finished in French Pinot Noir barrels, proofed at 112
Breaking records at their first ABC Store demo and becoming the fastest-selling bourbon in North Carolina
Bootstrapping for six years in one of the most capital-intensive industries in CPG
Why they don't just want to be the best Black-owned bourbon—they want to be the best bourbon, period

Episode Links:

Old Hillside Bourbon Company

Website: https://www.oldhillsidebourboncompany.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oldhillsidebourbonco/

Emmanuel Waters — Co-Founder, Old Hillside Bourbon Company

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmanuel-waters-4740989a

Courtney Tucker — Co-Founder, Old Hillside Bourbon Company

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-tucker-79918527

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 @startupcpg
Visit host Caitlin's Linkedin 
Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at [email protected]
Episode music by Super Fantastics