SKU Fall '25 Showcase in Austin
Join us in celebrating the journey of our Fall ’25 cohort at the SKU Showcase Pitch Event – an evening of powerful storytelling, authentic connections, and the energy of a room packed with CPG superstars! Showcase is the culmination of the rigorous 12-week program, which includes weekly classes on key topics and mentoring by industry leaders.
Allison Ellsworth, the co-founder of poppi — the brand that revolutionized the beverage industry with its better-for-you prebiotic sodas — will be our keynote speaker. She will also be one of our judges! More details to come on the judge panel.
Details:
Tuesday, November 18
Doors open at 4:30 PM | Pitches begin at 5:00 PM | Reception to follow
Expect an unforgettable evening featuring:
Live pitches - Meet eight standout brands as they share their stories and big visions.
A special keynote - To be revealed soon...
Product sampling and brand showcases - Get a taste (literally!) of the innovation – sample products from the participating brands during the reception.
Networking - Connect with founders, investors, mentors, and CPG insiders from across the country.
The eight SKU Fall '25 Track brands are:
18 Chestnuts Soups: Founded by Ilona Kossoff, 18 Chestnuts offers seasonal, plant-based, small-batch soups that combine rich flavor with optimal nutrition. Ilona launched the brand after her personal healing journey led her to discover the power of food as medicine, following years of debilitating digestive issues and conventional treatments that failed.
cMOSS Beauty: Founded by Laurie Larkey and Stephanie Sand, cMOSS Beauty® is derived from ethically harvested Irish Sea Moss (Chondrus Crispus) and combines the natural power of the sea with the advancements of science and technology to deliver clean, transformative skincare.
DOGISTRY: Founded by Lauren Ephrat, DOGISTRY is a luxury pet accessories brand that fuses sophisticated design with functional innovation. DOGISTRY has earned national recognition for its award-winning harnesses, patent-pending City Leash, and Fi-compatible collar bands, all designed to elevate the dog-walking experience.
FocusFuel: Founded by Daniel Herz, John Senn, and Brandon Herwig, FocusFuel is a clean caffeine gummy designed for high performers, go-getters, and everyday hustlers who want energy without the crash or the can. With better ingredients, better taste, and better convenience, we’re redefining how caffeine fits into your daily routine.
Lotza: Founded by Laura Markewicz, Lotza is a classic party punch, but better. A sparkling blend of juicy fruits and vibrant botanicals with a feel-good functional twist—mood-boosting adaptogens for now, replenishing vitamins and electrolytes for next-day.
Thanks Danks: Founded by husband and wife Garret and Jordan Danks. Thanks Danks creates beef jerky with zero sugar and the highest protein count on the market. They are committed to fueling better-for-you health enthusiasts with a clean meat snack made from simple ingredients rather than fillers.
Ulu Foods: Founded by Courtney Mills, Ulu Foods makes grain-free, climate-positive snacks using breadfruit. By transforming this nutrient-dense fruit into delicious alternatives, Ulu Foods is redefining healthy snacking while supporting more sustainable food systems.
Wild Monkey Bar: Founded by husband and wife John and Brooke Campbell, Wild Monkey Bar is a better for you multilayered candy bar with a toasted seed and nut granola base, creamy cashew butter center, and rich dark chocolate shell topped with flaky salt. Born in Boulder, Colorado after a backcountry climb, we set out to create the bar we couldn’t find — delicious, energizing, and truly clean.
Schedule at a glance:
4:30-5:00 pm: Drinks, bites & sampling
5:00-7:15 pm: Founder pitches (including brief intermission)
7:15-8:30 pm: More drinks, bites & sampling
8:30-10:00 pm: After party if you want to continue the fun :)
Parking & Getting There:
Paid parking is available in the parking garage attached to Rowling Hall and directly next door at the AT&T Conference Center. There is also paid street parking nearby. Otherwise we encourage you to Lyft/Uber. From the Rowling Hall garage, take the stairs/elevator to the first level where you'll find Crum Auditorium. From the street/campus level, enter the main entrance to Rowling Hall across from the AT&T Center/courtyard area and Crum will be on the right side on the first level.
A special thanks to our host The Jon Brumley Texas Venture Labs at The University of Texas at Austin (TVL). TVL is a university-wide award-winning initiative to support technology commercialization, entrepreneurship and innovation, while providing a unique and directly applicable educational experience for participating students. TVL's purpose is to provide the intellectual horsepower to promote new venture creation at The University of Texas at Austin through education and mentoring; market and business plan validation; team-building and networking; and providing direct links to resources and funding.More details to come including our outstanding keynote speaker and impressive judge panel.