Shows
The Startup CPG PodcastInvestor Spotlight: Brian Bernstein, Rich Products VenturesIn this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Hannah Dittman sits down with Brian Bernstein, investor at Rich Products Ventures, to explore what corporate venture capital looks like in practice—and why it might be the strategic partner early-stage food brands didn't know they needed. The conversation dives deep into evaluating product-market fit, understanding the metrics that actually matter (velocity over door count, margin bridges, the "Toledo test"), and why venture capital isn't the right fit for every founder.Brian shares his unconventional path from investment banking at Bank of America (working on the Yeti IP...
2026-02-1446 minThe Startup CPG PodcastInvestor Spotlight: Hayden Williams, BrandProjectIn this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Hannah Dittman sits down with Hayden Williams, Partner at BrandProject, to explore what pre-launch investors look for in consumer brands—before there's even a product name or revenue. The conversation unpacks the Wonderbelly acquisition by P&G, revealing what drives conviction at the idea stage and how authentic brand building in overlooked categories can lead to strategic exits.Hayden shares how BrandProject approaches pre-launch investing with 1-3M checks, often becoming the first money in before founders have finalized their company name. He breaks down the Wonderbelly ca...
2026-02-0739 minThe Startup CPG PodcastInvestor Spotlight: Nate Cooper, Barrel VenturesIn this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Hannah Dittman sits down with Nate Cooper, investor at Barrel Ventures, to explore what early-stage food and beverage investors look for when backing emerging brands. The conversation dives deep into evaluating product-market fit, understanding what drives conviction in early-stage deals, and why founder characteristics matter just as much as metrics when building a fundable CPG brand.Nate shares his unconventional path from multi-generational food industry roots to failed entrepreneur to successful angel investor—landing Olipop as his very first check. He discusses how Barrel Ventures approaches pre-seed to...
2026-01-3139 minThe Startup CPG PodcastInvestor Spotlight: Brian Folmer, FirstLook VenturesIn this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Hannah Dittman sits down with Brian Folmer, founder of FirstLook Ventures, to explore what founders need to know before fundraising—from building compelling pitch decks to avoiding common mistakes that sink deals.Brian brings a rare full-stack perspective to consumer investing: founder, operator, ecosystem builder, and now investor backing early-stage brands through FirstLook Ventures and SPVs. His journey spans dropping out of law school to launch his first startup, working in corporate retail at Abercrombie and Victoria's Secret, investing at XRC Ventures, and eventually building FirstLook—a mont...
2026-01-2438 minThe Startup CPG PodcastInvestor Spotlight: Trevor Rechnitz, Vanterra VenturesIn this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Hannah Dittman sits down with Trevor Rechnitz, Principal at Vanterra Ventures, to explore the realities of fundraising—not just what looks good on paper, but what truly matters to investors. Trevor brings deep consumer investing experience built over nearly a decade, from sourcing and diligence to partner engagement and post-close value creation.At Vanterra Ventures, Trevor helps evaluate and back visionary teams and companies redefining consumer health, digital health, and enabling technologies across branded products and emerging categories. Vanterra Ventures is the venture and growth equity arm of...
2026-01-1737 minThe Startup CPG PodcastInvestor Spotlight: Brian Bustamante-Nicholson, GreycroftIn this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Hannah Dittman sits down with Brian Bustamante-Nicholson, a partner at Greycroft in the consumer brands vertical, to explore what growth-stage investors actually look for in consumer businesses—and how founders can build with intention from day one.Brian has spent 15 years working alongside founders building consumer businesses, developing a sharp lens for what actually drives durable growth versus what just looks good in a pitch deck. His experience spans deep e-commerce knowledge and evaluating brands at the earliest stages through to scale, giving him a practical, op...
2026-01-1040 minThe Startup CPG PodcastInvestor Spotlight: Family Fund with Josh Wand and Sean KellyIn this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Hannah Dittman sits down with Josh Wand and Sean Kelly, General Partners at the Family Fund, to explore what founders actually need to understand when navigating fundraising. The Family Fund is a deeply community-driven investment firm built by former founders who believe the best companies are built through trust, transparency, and long-term partnership.Josh and Sean bring decades of firsthand entrepreneurial experience and an incredibly deep operator and founder network, which gives them a uniquely practical, grounded perspective on investing at the earliest stages. Throughout the...
2026-01-0348 minThe Startup CPG PodcastOperator Spotlight: R&D Insights with Matt Craighead, R&D Manager TrubarIn this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Hannah Dittman sits down with Matt Craighead, R&D Manager at Trubar, to explore the real product development process—from initial concept and benchtop formulation to scaled production and everything in between. Matt brings a rare blend of technical depth, operator empathy, and practical insights to what is often the most misunderstood part of the CPG journey: how products actually get created.Matt shares how Trubar approaches R&D for their vegan, gluten-free, soy-free protein bars with no sugar alcohols, artificial sweeteners, or seed oils—navigating the comp...
2025-12-2740 minThe Startup CPG PodcastInvestor Spotlight: Alex Borschow, Rocana VenturesIn this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Hannah Dittman sits down with Alex Borschow, Managing Partner at Rocana Ventures, to explore what Series A investors actually look for in consumer brands. The conversation dives deep into defining product-market fit, understanding traction metrics across channels, and why thoughtful, mission-driven capital matters for building sustainable CPG brands.Alex shares how Rocana Ventures approaches Series A investments ($7-25M revenue) with a focus on authentic better-for-you brands, omnichannel traction, and strong unit economics. He discusses the importance of evaluating velocity metrics in retail, repeat purchase rates...
2025-12-2043 minThe Startup CPG PodcastInvestor Spotlight: Nick Giannuzzi, Humble GrowthIn this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Hannah Dittman speaks with Nick Giannuzzi, founder and managing partner of Humble Growth—an investment firm intentionally designed to shift the traditional power dynamic between founders and investors. Nick traces his career from representing Vitaminwater in its early days to building a leading CPG-focused law firm, and eventually launching a $312M growth fund backed by industry operators who understand firsthand the realities of scaling consumer brands.Nick discusses why thoughtful, founder-aligned capital remains rare in the CPG space, and how Humble Growth approaches investing with transparency, discipline, an...
2025-12-1341 minThe Startup CPG PodcastThe Founder Fundraising Journey: Karl Franz Williams, Founder of Uncle WaithleysIn this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Hannah Dittman sits down with Karl Franz Williams, founder of Uncle Waithley's—a small-batch, real-ingredient Caribbean-inspired ginger beer redefining what a classic mixer can be. Karl shares his unique journey from electrical engineering at Yale to brand management at Procter & Gamble and Pepsi (working on Sunny Delight, Hawaiian Punch, and Mountain Dew), to opening award-winning bars and restaurants in New York, and finally coming full circle to launch a beverage brand rooted in his St. Vincent heritage.The conversation reveals the unglamorous reality of founder fundraising—from...
2025-12-0646 minThe Startup CPG PodcastInvestor Spotlight: Jaxon Stuart, Spacestation InvestmentsIn this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Hannah Dittman sits down with Jaxon Stuart, Investor at Spacestation Investments, to explore a unique intersection of venture capital, influencer marketing, and creator-led brands. The conversation reveals how Spacestation evolved from a corporate angel arm founded by a top YouTuber into a full-fledged investment fund—and why their model of strategic SPVs combined with committed capital makes them stand out in the consumer investing landscape.Jaxon shares how Spacestation approaches investing through their "three Ps" framework: people, product, and progress. He discusses the transition from deal-by-deal SP...
2025-11-2938 minThe Startup CPG PodcastInvestor Spotlight: Alex Malamatinas of Melitas VenturesIn this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Hannah Dittman sits down with Alex Malamatinas, founder and managing partner of Melitas Ventures, to explore the realities of early-stage consumer brand investing. The conversation dives deep into what investors actually look for in CPG founders, how to navigate the fundraising process, and why understanding your financials—especially the difference between gross margin and contribution margin—can make or break your capital efficiency.Alex shares how Melitas Ventures approaches seed and Series A investments with a focus on authentic better-for-you brands, product-market fit, and strong unit econ...
2025-11-2234 minThe Startup CPG PodcastLate Stage Insights For Early Brands to Learn From: Aaron Garcia, Main Post PartnersTurn every BFCM QR code scan into sales—get the free report now: www.uniqode.com/bfcmcpgIn this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Hannah Dittman sits down with Aaron Garcia at Main Post Partners to explore the world of private equity and how it shapes the future of consumer brands. The conversation dives deep into the dynamics of founder-led businesses, highlighting how thoughtful partnership dynamics and sound financial planning can drive sustainable business growth.Aaron shares how Main Post Partners approaches investment strategies with a long-term mindset—focusing on operational exce...
2025-11-1551 minThe Startup CPG PodcastInvestor Spotlight: Deborah Benton of Willow Growth PartnersTurn every BFCM QR code scan into sales—get the free report now: www.uniqode.com/bfcmcpgIn this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Hannah Dittman interviews Deborah Benton, Founder and Managing Partner of Willow Growth Partners, to discuss the realities of building and investing in high-growth consumer brands.Deborah shares insights from her extensive career leading and scaling brands such as Nasty Gal and ShoeDazzle, and explains how those experiences shaped her investment philosophy at Willow. She outlines the differences between early-stage venture, growth, and private equity investing, highlighting how va...
2025-11-0851 minThe Startup CPG PodcastInvestor Spotlight: Liz Myslik of Loft Growth PartnersIn this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Hannah Dittman sits down with Liz Myslik, Managing Partner at Loft Growth Partners, to dive deep into what it really takes to build, fund, and scale purpose-driven consumer brands. With over 25 years of experience across marketing, manufacturing, operations, and investing, Liz shares her comprehensive perspective on what truly drives sustainable growth in the CPG industry.They explored how founders can identify product–market fit, develop scalable business models, and maintain strong unit economics from the outset. Liz also offers candid insights on navigating investor relationships, understanding fund dynamics, an...
2025-10-2550 minThe Startup CPG PodcastInvestor Spotlight: Ben Zises, SuperAngel.FundIn this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Hannah Dittman welcomes Ben Zises, Founder and General Partner at SuperAngel.Fund, for a deep dive into his journey from entrepreneur to seasoned early-stage investor. Ben shares the story behind his transition from real estate and prop-tech to leading one of the most dynamic consumer-focused venture funds in the industry.The discussion covers Ben’s unique investment approach — combining the agility of an angel investor with the resources of a venture fund — and how his “help-first” philosophy has shaped his relationships with founders. He offers candid insights o...
2025-10-1854 minThe Startup CPG PodcastOps Spotlight: Laura Romano of GrazaTurn every BFCM QR code scan into sales—get the free report now: www.uniqode.com/bfcmcpgIn this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Hannah Dittman speaks with Laura Romano, Director of Operations at Graza, the olive oil brand redefining a pantry staple. Laura shares her journey from scaling Blue Marble Ice Cream to leading operations at Graza, offering practical lessons on managing growth, strengthening supply chains, and building resilient systems. Together, they discuss the operator’s mindset, balancing founder vision with operational realities, and the importance of forecasting, inventory management, and supplier relat...
2025-10-1151 minThe Startup CPG PodcastInvestor Spotlight: Tyler Morgan, BFG PartnersIn this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Hannah Dittman speaks with Tyler Morgan, Principal at BFG Partners, about the firm’s approach to early-stage investing in consumer brands. Tyler discusses his career path into venture capital and BFG’s investment focus across food, beverage, supplements, beauty, and pet.The conversation covers BFG’s investment criteria, deal sourcing methods, diligence process, and the key financial and operational metrics they evaluate in prospective portfolio companies. Tyler also shares insights on navigating fundraising, the importance of warm introductions, and how founders can position their businesses for sustai...
2025-10-0450 minThe Startup CPG PodcastInvestor Spotlight: Ryan Springer of Midnight Venture PartnersIn this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Hannah Dittman welcomes Ryan Springer, Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Midnight Venture Partners, for an in-depth conversation on the evolving world of CPG investing. Ryan shares his path into venture capital, insights gained from his early experiences in retail strategy, and the vision behind building Midnight Venture Partners.The discussion covers strategies and viewpoints from Midnight Venture Partners, exploring how investment theses evolve to adapt to category dynamics, market factors, and shifting opportunities. Ryan also offers valuable perspective on founder-investor alignment, holding periods, and the critical traits—such as...
2025-09-2746 minThe Startup CPG Podcast#214 - Founders & Funders: The Early Stage Investor Event of the YearIn this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff is joined by Startup CPG Operations and Finance Correspondent Hannah Dittman, and Simon Solis-Cohen, Founder of Huxley,to discuss Founders & Funders — Startup CPG’s largest event to date. They explore how the event was created to connect the most active early-stage investors with top emerging brands through curated one-on-one meetings, insightful panels, and exceptional networking opportunities.Hannah draws on her venture capital experience to share what investors prioritize in early-stage consumer brands and how founders can prepare to stand out. Simon brings the founder’s perspective, emphas...
2025-09-1647 minThe Startup CPG PodcastInvestor Spotlight: Andrew Montgomery, Partner at Collaborative FundIn this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Hannah Dittman speaks with Andrew Montgomery, Partner at Collaborative Fund, about building successful brands at the intersection of for-profit and for-good. Andrew shares his career journey across operations, brand building, and investing on his path to Collaborative Fund.He outlines the firm’s investment philosophy, including their “villain test,” and offers detailed guidance on pitching to investors, identifying enduring consumer trends, and structuring effective fundraising strategies. Andrew also provides practical advice on evaluating investor–founder alignment, building momentum during a raise, and navigating long-term partnerships.Listen to gain act...
2025-08-2349 minThe Startup CPG PodcastInvestor Spotlight: Alcohol & Vice Investing with Jason Sherman of Top Shelf VenturesIn this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Hannah Dittman speaks with Jason Sherman, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Top Shelf Ventures, an early-stage fund specializing in alcohol and vice brands. Jason shares his journey from Harvard Law to leading billion-dollar investments at AB InBev, to building and selling one of the fastest-growing alcohol companies in the United States, and ultimately launching Top Shelf Ventures to back the next generation of disruptive brands. Drawing on over a decade of operational and investment experience, he offers a candid look at what founders need to know to succeed in this...
2025-08-1652 minThe Startup CPG PodcastOps Spotlight: Todd Hoffman, COO at BrightlandIn this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Operations and Finance Contributor Hannah Dittman sits down with Todd Hoffman, Chief Operating Officer at Brightland, to discuss the strategic and operational challenges of scaling a modern CPG brand.Todd shares his unique transition from a decade in investment banking to leading operations at Chloe’s and now Brightland. The conversation explores the evolving role of the COO, key considerations for omnichannel growth, and the tactical realities of expanding from direct-to-consumer into retail. Todd also offers valuable insights on supply chain strategy, co-manufacturer relationships, inventory planning, and wh...
2025-08-0956 minThe Startup CPG PodcastInvestor Spotlight: Greer Tessler and Luke Goldstein of Simple Food VenturesIn this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, our Operations and Finance Correspondent Hannah Dittman speaks with Greer Tessler and Luke Goldstein, Managing Partners at Simple Food Ventures. They explore the firm’s strategic approach to early-stage CPG investing, with a focus on “better-for-you” grocery staples and their unique partnership with Albertsons to help brands scale through retail distribution.Greer and Luke share valuable insights into what they look for in founders, the importance of operational expertise, and the business fundamentals that set companies apart. They also provide guidance on navigating valuations, the fundraising process, and bu...
2025-08-0250 min
Faith on the Journey: Conversations with Jocelyn39. Ambiguous Grief w/Mary DittmanToday on the show we are going to talk about ambiguous grief. This kind of grief shows up when you experience a loss of something like a loss of time or a loss of what didn’t happen. Our guest, Mary Dittman, is going to talk about the loss she has felt and grieved being single. Mary R. Dittman is an Instructor of Marketing and Director of the Business Internship Program at Francis Marion University. She is a sought-after speaker, event host, and panel moderator, and has been a speaker for the NCAA Champs/LifeSkills program, the South Carolina De...
2022-03-3142 min