Made for Retail Chicago Pitch Competition
Five founders. One stage. $25,000 on the line.
Join SEED SPOT and Greenwood Archer Capital for the Made for Retail Chicago Pitch Competition — a celebration of Chicago's consumer product founders and the community behind them.
After weeks of intensive workshops, coaching, and mentorship, five selected founders will take the stage to pitch their products live to a panel of retail buyers, capital providers, and industry judges. The top three will walk away with non-dilutive cash grants totaling $25,000 — capital to fuel their next stage of growth, no strings attached.
Come cheer on the founders, discover your new favorite local products, and help bring more mission-driven, locally made goods to retail shelves.
Free and open to the community. RSVP to save your spot.
Pitching Consumer Packaged Goods Brands
Judges
Orazio Buzza, Founder & CEO, Fooda
Keith Fix, Managing Director North America, Glimpse Analytics
Taylor Williams, Investor, Cleveland Avenue
What to expect:
5 - 6pm: Doors open & Networking Reception with emerging brand marketplace and light bites & refreshments.
6 - 7:15pm: Pitch Competition and awards announcement
7:15 - 8:00pm: Closing Networking Reception with emerging brand marketplace, attendees, and refreshments.
Emerging Brand Marketplace Companies
RoseBud Ice Cream: small-batch pints and soft serve out of Glen Ellyn
Inspiro Tequila, LLC: additive-free tequila from founder Mara Smith
babygami: collapsible travel bottles built for parents on the move
Drink Nouvie: non-alcoholic sparkling wine made from Spanish grapes
Tiny Tots Secret Sauce: organic, veggie-packed pasta sauce for picky eaters
TrnscndWellness: fluoride-free, vegan oral care from Talk
BāKIT Box: all-inclusive baking kits for home bakers of every level
Bleume: houseplant fertilizer for growing spaces of any size
Mez Foods: Like chocolate but better
Ruby Fine Hibiscus Tea
Shukrah - The carefree comb and hair tool
About the hosts
SEED SPOT is a national nonprofit entrepreneur support organization on a mission to educate, accelerate, and invest in diverse entrepreneurs creating solutions to social problems.
Greenwood Archer Capital is a nonprofit CDFI supporting capital-ready retail founders across Chicago's South and West Sides.
Supported by Coleman Foundation, Entrepreneurship Development and Leadership Institute, William Blair, and Byline Bank
Learn more: seedspot.org/made-for-retail-chicago