Branchfood Blog page 1

As part of our webinar series in collaboration with Trax Retail, we brought together founders of emerging CPG brands and ex-buyers at Target to discuss best practices for brands to successfully engage with buyers, boost conversions, and grow their presence to win in retail. Listen to the full webinar or find out more about Trax Dynamic Merchandising for emerging brands.

Craft beer and conversation flowed freely on July 13th at our Summer Meet & Mingle, hosted in collaboration with our partners at JPMorgan Chase in Boston. There was certainly lots to celebrate—the networking event at Night Shift Brewing in Boston was our first in-person gathering since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020! Participants agreed on the need for cross-sector collaboration as a means to advance sustainability, resilience, and autonomy across the food system, while addressing the needs of consumers who are increasingly aware of the impacts of their food consumption.

The success of a food startup depends on having enough capital and spending it efficiently to support operations and sustain them as they grow. Financial statements are key. Not only do they enable you to capture and track the value you're generating at a specific moment in time, but they also provide you with the information you need to craft a compelling story and engage investors around it. Read on to discover some of the best financing and accounting strategies to propel your business forward.

This week we’re delighted to speak with Juan Giraldo and Nico Estrella, founders of WAKU plant-based tonics, whose mission is to revive the body and spirit through the time-tested knowledge and homegrown flavors of Ecuador. Learn more about their successful pivot to a direct-to-consumer model in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as some of the strategies they leveraged to succeed in this unprecedented environment.

Properly pricing CPG products early on sets entrepreneurs on the path to success but most of the pricing models available are based on mass-produced foods and focus solely on costs. Drawing from the Innovation Adoption Lifecycle methodology, food business expert Jim Verzino demonstrates the importance of taking into account the target market and volume when costing products.

With major turning points and important disruptions happening to the food and beverage industry, branding has become a key strategy startups have to implement in order to differentiate themselves in the market, and ensure cohesion and consistency between their products, story, and consumer. Supporting entrepreneurs in their journey of growth, Branchfood hosted its very first Ask an Expert session on Thursday 03/11/2021. Our guest speaker, Steve Redmond, was prepared to answer attendees’ questions about brand strategy: branding, naming, messaging, positioning, voice, and tone.

New England is becoming a leading region for food business launch and expansion. In partnership with Canadian Flavors Food Festival and the Consulate General of Canada in Boston, Branchfood hosted “Expanding your Food Business to the U.S.? First Stop, New England.” The event brought together leaders in the food industry to discuss viable paths to market, what it takes to get products into retail and foodservice sales channels, and how emerging businesses can succeed in an omni-channel environment.

A roundup of food-focused conferences, exhibitions, and trade shows in 2021!

We made it to the end of 2020 and at Branchfood, we’ve been reflecting on everything that made this year unlike any other. The COVID-19 pandemic has permanently changed our lives, and the food industry faced unprecedented challenges: supply chain disruptions, rising food insecurity, and restrictions on restaurants, just to name a few. But one thing stood out to us amidst this chaotic year: the food industry's extraordinary resilience in the face of uncertainty. We’ve found new ways to connect and collaborate, despite remaining physically separate. Entrepreneurs pivoted their businesses in record time to meet their customers and communities’ ever-changing needs. First-time founders launched start-ups not just in spite of, but in response to this year’s challenges. Our community forged into this uncharted territory with a spirit of connectivity, innovation, and resilience. To all the food entrepreneurs out there: thank you.

In our last Member Monday highlight of 2020, we’re thrilled to feature Branchfood member Lisa Sebesta, founder of Sitari Capital! At Sitari, Lisa works with investors who are interested in food and agriculture investing to achieve their financial and impact goals. Their mission is to help investors support these impactful businesses utilizing financing solutions that work for both the investor and the company.

Branchfood was thrilled to have Jenn Mason, Founder of Curds&Co. and Curdbox, at our latest Ask an Entrepreneur session this week! Jenn has been a regular at our monthly Community Table for over four years, and we’re so glad she could join us to share more about her journey growing an artisanal cheese shop, launching a cheese subscription box, and starting a novel eatery in the middle of a pandemic.

Branchfood member Ian Pasquarelli has always had a passion for supporting, educating, and empowering the communities he lives and works in. Coming from a small town in Aroostook County, Maine, he developed a strong work ethic and sense of community that’s driven him to where he is today. As the founder and owner of The Kitchen Network, a Boston-based food business consultancy, Ian knows that there is no greater way to connect than through food.

A longtime supporter of food entrepreneurs, Bill Seretta got his start working in the restaurant industry before moving on to for-profit and non-profit businesses in human services, environmental education, food service, retail computer sales, Internet services, higher education and business consulting. Now primarily focused on food, Bill dedicates his time to supporting the local food system by creating the Maine Food System Innovation Challenge and taking a role as Executive Director at Fork Food Lab.

When Branchfood member Matthew Demma left his native Boston in 2013 to pursue a career in food, he quickly realized his love of wine watching the sommelier at the joint butcher shop-restaurant he worked at. Seven years later, Matthew is a sommelier himself studying for his Champagne Master Level certification through the Wine Scholars Guild.

After returning to Boston last year, Matthew saw an opportunity to launch a business built on this passion. He founded Perlage Sparkling Wine Club in July 2020, offering members the opportunity to experience a sommelier-curated selection of sparkling wines, a total of 18 bottles during the twelve-month subscription, along with a cookbook in each shipment. Perlage’s mission is to teach members how to integrate sparkling wine into their everyday lives, enjoyed outside of just special occasions.

Member Monday returns with a spotlight on Elise Yost, Account & Marketing Strategist at Nature and Nurture Creative. Elise’s background is in marketing with an emphasis on the food industry and small businesses. She and the team at Nature & Nurture help clients succeed in the food and beverage space through dedicated partnerships. Read on to learn Elise’s top tips for working remotely, long-lasting marketing trends that arose from COVID-19, and what makes marketing in the food world unique!