Top conscious CPG accelerator launches 5th Track and is seeking compelling consumer products and top industry mentors
NEW YORK – April 2, 2024 – BeyondSKU, New York’s leading accelerator for consumer-packaged goods (CPGs), is accepting applications from CPG companies for its 5th track starting Fall of 2024.
The ideal applicants are innovative market-validated food, beverage and wellness brands in hot categories with passionate founders. Companies interested in applying can apply here until June 15, 2024.
“Building on the continued success of BeyondSKU’s past four tracks and the legacy of the original SKU in Austin, we are excited to kick off BeyondSKU Track 5 this September,” says Eric Schnell, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of BeyondBrands. “I am proud our New York focused accelerator plays a key role in growing our local entrepreneurial community of small brands to become household names, while leveraging the collective wisdom of our diverse talented group of seasoned CPG veterans who lean in deep with mentorship and networking.”
SKU, based in Austin, is the nation’s first CPG accelerator. Since it was founded in 2011, more than 200 brands have gone through the program, including such success stories as Epic Provisions, Siete, and DUDE Wipes. BeyondSKU – a partnership between Austin-based SKU and BeyondBrands, New York’s top natural products consulting agency – launched in 2019.
Classes kick off in Manhattan in September through December 2024. In January 2025 the founders will present their pitches to an audience of investors and CPG leaders from the local community.
BeyondSKU’s curriculum covers topics important to CPG startups, including Mission + Vision, Branding, Investment Strategy, Legal, Channel Strategy, Supply Chain, Innovation and so much more.
One of the most valuable components of BeyondSKU is its elite community of mentors from some of the most successful consumer product companies as well as successful CPG founders, subject-matter experts and investors. Each BeyondSKU founder is surrounded by a hand-picked team of mentors focused on helping them scale their businesses as they guide them through the program.
In addition to the rewards of working with founders to help them achieve their potential, mentors benefit from the experience of working side by side with their peers. If you are a CPG leader who is interested in mentoring for BeyondSKU, please email info@beyondsku.org.
“We can’t believe how accelerated our growth has been since participating in Cohort 4 of BeyondSKU!” said Danny Auld, Co-Founder of Kekoa Foods. “The mentors are seasoned CPG leaders who encouraged us to share our biggest pain points so they could offer their insight, expertise and connections to help us develop a solid growth plan over an 18-month period. Each week we delved into all aspects of running a CPG business with leaders in each of the areas of sales, marketing, branding, operations and fundraising, to name a few. We perfected our pitch by program completion, all while being supported by, and supporting, our fellow cohort founders, and established an amazing network in our industry.”
For more information, to apply or to learn more about mentorship, please visit BeyondSKU.
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About SKU
SKU was founded 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 120 companies have completed the SKU program. SKU has gained a national reputation for excellence, with such publications as Forbes naming it one of the top CPG accelerators. Learn more at www.sku.is.
About BeyondBrands
Co-Founded by husband and wife serialprenuers Eric Schnell and Marci Zaroff, BeyondBrands’ dynamic cast of partners have decades of experience in creating, launching, accelerating, and exiting some of the most reputable organic food, beverage, and nutraceutical brands on the shelves today. Their passion is helping entrepreneurs through their collective experience, expertise, and industry relationships to best position brands for success. Learn more at www.beyondbrands.org.
