As the premier virtual pitch competition built exclusively for consumer product brands, CPGrow returned with unmatched energy, industry expertise, and record-breaking participation. Hosted on March 19th, the event brought together visionary founders, strategic partners, and a distinguished panel of judges to spotlight the future of CPG.
With 698 applications, this year’s competition underscored the tremendous innovation taking place across the CPG space. After a highly competitive selection process, five exceptional finalists were chosen to pitch their brands live in front of an expert panel for a chance to win no-cost inventory funding and exclusive growth-focused prizes.
A High-Stakes, High-Impact Pitch
Each finalist had the opportunity to present their brand story, product innovation, and growth strategy to our judges:
- Josh Feine, General Partner, Forma Capital
- Le’Spencer Walker, Director, Target Accelerators: Activation & Growth
- Danielle Blount, Partner, Bold Ventures
Following each pitch, founders engaged in a five-minute Q&A session with the judges, designed to go deeper into the fundamentals of the business from financial performance to market strategy.
The prize?
$250,000 in no-cost inventory funding for the Grand Prize winner
$75,000 in no-cost inventory funding for the Runner-Up
And a curated suite of high-value prizes from leading CPG resource partners
Meet the Finalists
This year, CPGrow received a record-breaking 698 applications, a true testament to the passion and innovation driving the CPG space.
To narrow the field, we first reviewed each brand’s story and vision, looking for strong narratives backed by actionable growth plans. From there, semi-finalists submitted 60-second pitch videos that showcased their traction, ambition, and why they deserved a spot in the finals. We also evaluated financial strength, scalability, and overall market potential.
In the end, it was a combination of storytelling, strategy, and standout execution that made these finalists rise to the top and we’re confident they’ll continue making waves in the industry.
Here’s a closer look at who made the cut:
Founded by Adrienne Walker, this brand is all about turning everyday beverages into something special. Blue Henry crafts premium dried fruit garnishes and cocktail ingredients that elevate the at-home drinking experience. With a focus on quality, sustainability, and aesthetics, they’re making it easier (and prettier) to enjoy a handcrafted moment.
Founded by Dahlia Rizk, Buckle Me Baby Coats is revolutionizing car seat safety for kids. Their patented coat design allows children to stay warm and buckled in safely—no more compromising between comfort and safety. It’s a smart, parent-approved solution that’s already gaining traction and saving lives.
Founded by Ryan Lane, DTOCS is serving up a better way to eat on the go with their sustainable, compostable tableware made from naturally fallen palm leaves. These elegant, disposable plates and bowls offer a plastic-free alternative for conscious consumers, events, and businesses that care about both presentation and the planet.
Founded by Nikki Seaman, Freestyle Snacks is reimagining olives for the modern snacker. Their brine-free, boldly flavored olives are packed in convenient, mess-free pouches—making them perfect for everything from lunchboxes to charcuterie boards. Snack innovation that’s flavorful, functional, and fun.
What started as a simple goal – designing the best bag to carry us through our best days – has evolved into a grander mission: Celebrate Great Days. At FTL we take immense pride in what our customers are able to accomplish. From work to play, we’re here to celebrate your best days, and provide you all with bags to help you along the way.
COBA COFFEE – Rising Brand Winner
COBA COFFEE is rewriting the cold brew playbook with bold, ready-to-drink coffee made from 100% pure Colombian beans. Founder Peter H.S. Lee wowed the audience with his passion for culture, craft, and caffeine and a product that delivers on both taste and experience. A rising brand worth watching.
And the Winners Are…
Grand Prize Winner – $250,000 in no-cost inventory funding: Buckle Me Baby Coats
Founder Dahlia Rizk took home the top prize with her innovative line of car seat safe coats for kids, impressing the judges with a powerful pitch and a product that’s already making waves in parenting communities across the country.
Runner-Up – $75,000 in no-cost inventory funding: Freestyle Snacks
Nikki Seaman’s flavorful, fresh-pack olives earned her second place and a serious boost to help fuel her growth.
Rising Brand – $15,000 in no-cost inventory funding: COBA COFFEE
Founder Peter H.S. Lee captivated the audience with his bold vision and equally bold cold brew.
Beyond the funding, our winners received amazing offerings from our partners.
Watch the recap here.
Kickfurther: Empowering Founders to Grow Further
CPGrow is a reflection of Kickfurther’s core mission: empowering emerging CPG brands to scale on their terms. Our platform provides flexible inventory funding up to 100% of their cost of goods with payment terms that are customized based on your cash flow needs.
We’re proud to support a community of founders who are bold, resourceful, and driving the future of consumer goods.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Partners
CPGrow 2025 would not be possible without the incredible support of our event partners. Your expertise, generosity, and commitment to helping founders thrive played a vital role in making this event impactful.
Special thanks to:
Cin7, eComEngine, Forecastr, Hawke Media, Power to Pitch, RangeMe, and ShipBob.
Together, we’re helping CPG brands grow further.
What’s Next?
As we close out CPGrow 2025, the momentum doesn’t stop here. The conversation around innovation, growth, and what’s next in CPG is only beginning and our finalists are just getting started.
Whether you’re an emerging founder with a big idea or an established brand ready to scale, CPGrow is your stage. It’s where bold products meet big opportunities.
Stay tuned for our next CPGrow competition. Your brand could be the one in the spotlight next.
