Info for food & bev brands

See below for information on the process and requirements for food & bev brands that would like to participate in the pitch competition, tabling & sampling. Please note that the pitch competition and tabling/sampling are only available for CPG/wholesale-focused brands (i.e a product sold in a grocer).

All food & beverage brands that are interested in participating in the pitch competition or tabling/sampling must be headquartered in Connecticut (it's okay if you were incorporated in a different state). Food & bev brands based outside of CT are welcome to participate in expert coaching sessions and attend the event.

Participation process

1. Submit an application at ctfoodevent.com/apply.

2. Applications are scored by our pitch competition judges.

3. Finalists: The top 5 scoring brands will be invited to participate in the pitch competition and set up a table at the event.

4. Semi-finalists: The next 25 highest-scoring brands after the finalists will also be invited to set up sampling tables at the event.

Judging criteria for applications

• Target Market: Addressable target market is large and/or growing, or is a strategic niche. Product meets an unmet need or distinct consumer preference. Customer is well-defined, and brand is designed for a specific grocery shopper and shelf (0 – 4 points)

• Solution: Product is differentiated from the competition (i.e., taste, quality, consistency, convenience, price) (0 – 4 points) 

• Team, Board, and Advisors: Evidence the team understands how to build and scale a CPG brand. Company is more than founder-led and -run, team has relevant industry knowledge, skills, leadership experience, key relationships, prior successes and/or failures (0 – 4 points)

• Strategic Momentum: Evidence of market validation/traction in the marketplace (i.e., sales trends, order velocity, repeat customers, retail tests/pilots/proofs of concept, past revenue growth, interest from industry partners, etc. (0 – 4 points)

• Growth Plan: Credible and thoughtful plan to grow, clear next milestones and success metrics, go-to-market/distribution strategy, and/or awareness of current constraints (0 - 4 points)

• Environmental Sustainability: Business model and product is made with environmentally-responsible (i.e., sustainable or regenerative) practices. Areas could include local and/or sustainable ingredient sourcing, packaging choices, waste reduction, energy/water/resource use in production, etc (0 – 4 points)

• Community Impact: Business practices create positive social impact alongside commercial success, i.e. supports local economies and suppliers, reinvests in local communities, expands access to products, markets, or opportunities (0 - 4 points)