Podcast · 210 episodes
The Startup CPG Podcast
by Startup CPG · English
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.
Latest episodes
#268 The Rise of Gymkhana Fine Foods with Gulrez AroraGymkhana Fine Foods’ founder Gulrez Arora explains how a two-Michelin-star London Indian restaurant brand became a scaled CPG business, launching nationwide in Whole Foods and Sprouts in the U.S.,…29 Sep 2026 · 41 min
R&D RADIO: The Real Science Behind Sugar Replacement with Icon Foods' Thom KingHow to replace sugar using “functionality,” not just sweetness—covering sugar’s eight roles (e.g., browning, freezing point depression, yeast activation, water activity), sweetener/fiber system…28 Sep 2026 · 31 min
How "Taste to Retain" Built a Billion-Dollar Supplement BrandOperator Spotlight with Juliet Choi (Groom’s) on how Groom’s built a billion-dollar supplement brand through “taste to retain,” rigorous product testing, fast iteration, and in-house…26 Sep 2026 · 42 min
All episodes
#268 The Rise of Gymkhana Fine Foods with Gulrez AroraGymkhana Fine Foods’ founder Gulrez Arora explains how a two-Michelin-star London Indian restaurant brand became a scaled CPG business, launching nationwide in Whole Foods and Sprouts in the U.S.,…29 Sep 2026 · 41 min · 12 chapters
R&D RADIO: The Real Science Behind Sugar Replacement with Icon Foods' Thom KingHow to replace sugar using “functionality,” not just sweetness—covering sugar’s eight roles (e.g., browning, freezing point depression, yeast activation, water activity), sweetener/fiber system…28 Sep 2026 · 31 min · 14 chapters
How "Taste to Retain" Built a Billion-Dollar Supplement BrandOperator Spotlight with Juliet Choi (Groom’s) on how Groom’s built a billion-dollar supplement brand through “taste to retain,” rigorous product testing, fast iteration, and in-house…26 Sep 2026 · 42 min · 21 chapters
How This Ex-Attorney Reinvented Hard Candy as a Health ToolFounder feature on Sweeter Collective, an organic “modern hard candy” positioned as a daily health tool rather than “candy,” emphasizing long-lasting flavor, low calories/sugar, and…25 Sep 2026 · 30 min · 13 chapters
Should You Apply for Startup CPG's Founders & Funders?Solo host explains Startup CPG’s application-based “Founders & Funders” summit (Dec 10, NYC) and whether CPG brands should apply; includes how the day works, why it exists, and who attends.23 Sep 2026 · 20 min · 8 chapters
#267: Term Sheets 101 with Giannuzzi LewendonTerm Sheets 101 for CPG startups—what a term sheet is, who sends it, and how to evaluate and negotiate the biggest deal terms (valuation, liquidation preference, control/protective provisions, board…22 Sep 2026 · 45 min · 20 chapters
The 4-Part Diligence Framework Every Founder Should KnowAshley Hartman (Bluestine Ventures) explains Bluestine’s diligence framework and what founders should prove before fundraising, emphasizing capital efficiency and durable growth in modern…19 Sep 2026 · 36 min · 13 chapters
Meat Stick Who? How TofuGo Turned Tofu Into a Viral Protein SnackFounder feature on TofuGo, a savory tofu protein snack. The episode covers how it went viral, why it stays intentionally savory, its formulation claims (12g protein from whole tofu; zero sugar; no…18 Sep 2026 · 26 min · 16 chapters
#266: Building an Organic Social Media Following with Lindzi Shanks, XO MarshmallowHow XO Marshmallow founder Lindzi Shanks built an organic social media following that drives sales, using platform-specific content, experimentation, and repurposing.15 Sep 2026 · 37 min · 16 chapters
R&D RADIO: How Startup CPG's Product Developer Database Helped This Founder ReformulateDrake Nickel (Dimitri’s Greek Kitchen) explains how he used Startup CPG’s Product Developers Database to reformulate and improve pita chips and plan future whipped feta upgrades, including how he…14 Sep 2026 · 25 min · 10 chapters
How Whole Foods Invests in Emerging Brands with Ellen GorraEllen Gorra (Whole Foods Market) explains how Whole Foods evaluates and invests in emerging CPG/food brands, contrasting its equity program and warrant partnership program with traditional venture…12 Sep 2026 · 30 min · 16 chapters
Tallow, Trust, and Testing: Inside My Neighbor's Rapid GrowthFounder feature on My Neighbors, a regenerative tallow skincare brand, covering ingredient sourcing (grass-fed/grass-finished beef suet), trust/transparency, and scaling retail distribution.11 Sep 2026 · 30 min · 10 chapters
#265: Marion Nestle on Food Politics and the Cereal AisleMarion Nestle discusses “Food Politics” through the cereal aisle, using cereal boxes as evidence of how marketing, health/nutrition claims, and packaging shape what kids and families eat.8 Sep 2026 · 42 min · 18 chapters
Turning Customers Into Investors: A Popcorn Brand's Crowdfunding PlaybookPopsmith’s founder, Tal Moore, explains how to turn customers into investors via equity crowdfunding (Reg CF) and shares cash/inventory lessons from building a consumer CPG brand.5 Sep 2026 · 38 min · 17 chapters
She Couldn't Find a Clean Electrolyte Brand, So She Created OneFounder Danielle Nuss explains why she created Short Story, a “clean” daily electrolyte mix, after failing to find an organic option in retail during her second pregnancy.4 Sep 2026 · 31 min · 17 chapters
#264 How Foundation Foods Became One of SoCal's Most Trusted Grocery DistributorsLewis from Foundation Foods explains how the SoCal grocery distributor built trust through strict ingredient standards, transparent pricing (only margin; no extra fees), and hands-on support for CPG…1 Sep 2026 · 35 min · 11 chapters
R&D RADIO: Building a Reliable Formula Brand with Casey Bauer, COO, BobbieR&D Radio on building a reliable infant formula brand—test-obsessed manufacturing, food-safety quality systems, transparency, and inventory protection during recalls/shortages; also covers a startup…31 Aug 2026 · 25 min · 9 chapters
From Hand Sanitizer to Tomato Sauce - How Sauz Went From 10 Doors to 3,500 in a YearSAWS founder Troy Bondi explains how the tomato sauce brand pivoted from a COVID-era hand-sanitizer business to building a modern, Gen Z-focused sauce company, then scaled from early retail pilots to…29 Aug 2026 · 51 min · 18 chapters
Happy Caapi: The First Non-Hallucinogenic Ayahuasca Vine SupplementHappy Cappy (Happy Caapi) is presented as the first non-psychedelic, non-hallucinogenic supplement made from the ayahuasca vine Banisteriopsis caapi, marketed for focus and mood.28 Aug 2026 · 34 min · 16 chapters
#263 - When Cookies Aren't Just Cookies - with Fields Good and CognizinFields Good Cookies’ “functional-first, flavor-first” approach to indulgent wellness—especially brain health—using branded Cognizin (citicoline).25 Aug 2026 · 46 min · 22 chapters
Meet the Bone Broth Protein Bar with 20g Protein & No Protein PowderWhole Health Club founder feature on creating the first/only bone broth protein bar with 20g protein and no protein powder, plus their go-to-market via RV retail demos and their “Better For You at…21 Aug 2026 · 28 min · 16 chapters
Honey 101 for CPG Brands: Trends, Formulation Tips & Resources with Keith Seiz of The National Honey BoardHow CPG brands can use honey amid consumer demand for natural sweeteners, including trends, formulation considerations, and National Honey Board resources.19 Aug 2026 · 11 min · 5 chapters
#262 - Beverage Manufacturing Lessons with BevSource's Bob WilliamsBeverage/CPG co-packing quality and manufacturing troubleshooting, focused on preventing and diagnosing can leaks and other production failures; also covers how to vet co-packers, handle first…18 Aug 2026 · 41 min · 16 chapters
R&D RADIO: How to Audit a Co-Packer: The Food QA's Hermi Galstian ExplainsHow to audit and vet a contract co-packer for food safety and quality, including differences between food safety vs quality, third-party audit standards (GFSI, BRC, SQF), and what to look for during…17 Aug 2026 · 28 min · 14 chapters