Episode 2: So You Want to Start a Start-Up?
Creating a food-related product that is scalable, in a market segment that isn’t already saturated can be difficult—no matter your connection to the industry. Even if you get that far, selling into stores and gaining market traction is another hurdle to tackle.
Creating a food-related product that is scalable, in a market segment that isn’t already saturated can be difficult—no matter your connection to the industry. Even if you get that far, selling into stores and gaining market traction is another hurdle to tackle. During this episode, host Matt Teegarden speaks with Dan Staackmann of Upton’s Naturals and Paul Tasner of PulpWorks will discuss how they got their start, how they scaled their business, and what the roadmap looks like for a successful food start-up.
Host:
Matt Teegarden, M.S., IFT Student Association Past President 2016-2017, Ph.D. Candidate, The Ohio State University
Expert Guest:
Dan Staackmann
CEO of Upton’s Naturals, a natural foods company with a focus on meat alternatives and vegan values. Dan pioneered flavored, wheat-based seitan in 2005.
Expert Guest:
Paul Tasner
TED speaker, CEO and co-founder of PulpWorks, an environmentally-friendly company that designs and manufactures sustainable packaging for the consumer-packaged goods industry. PulpWorks was founded in response to the worldwide plastic pollution crisis.
Are you a start-up looking for an opportunity to share your innovative product with a large concentration of motivated buyers and venture capitalists?
Then you need to learn more IFT19's IFTNEXT Startup Alley.
IFTNEXT Start-Up Alley, now bigger and better than ever, is where you can meet one-on-one with a leading group of future-forward entrepreneurs developing some of the most innovative products and solutions in the food science industry. Selected Strartups will exhibit and participate in a high-profile pitching event at IFT19 in New Orleans this June.
Applications now being accepted.
More from IFT
Future Food-Tech 2024 Tackles Transformation, Underscores Collaboration
Mission-driven Future Food-Tech exhibitors and conference presenters showcased innovative, transformative ingredients and technologies and emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing food system challenges.
Whipping Up a Bright New Idea
A profile of whipped cream category innovator Whipnotic.
Natural Product Expo West Attention-Getters: Highlights From the Event
Food Technology Contributing Editor Linda Milo Ohr reports on trends she tracked at Natural Products Expo West 2024.
Mapping Food System Innovation
Here’s a look at six clusters of cutting-edge entrepreneurship around the globe.
Prime-Time Lessons in Entrepreneurship
An analysis of the benefits and drawbacks for entrepreneurs who make pitches on Shark Tank.
Good-for-You Products Are Healthy Investments for VC Funds
Stray Dog Capital partner Johnny Ream shares his investment philosophies, including his focus on using the food system to help improve public health.
Latest News
Geltor raises $91.3 million to expand its sustainable ingredients-as-a-service platform
Geltor has announced the closing of a $91.3 million Series B financing that will fuel the global expansion of its ingredients-as-a-service platform.
Geltor raises $91.3 million to expand its sustainable ingredients-as-a-service platform
Geltor has announced the closing of a $91.3 million Series B financing that will fuel the global expansion of its ingredients-as-a-service platform.
Gathered Foods appoints Christine Mei as new CEO
Gathered Foods, makers of Good Catch plant-based seafood, has announced the appointment of Christine Mei as CEO.
Gathered Foods appoints Christine Mei as new CEO
Gathered Foods, makers of Good Catch plant-based seafood, has announced the appointment of Christine Mei as CEO.
Joywell Foods closes $6.9 million Series A financing led by Evolv Ventures
Joywell Foods, a food technology company developing a sweet protein portfolio, has announced the closing of a $6.9 million Series A financing round.