We are SKU
The 1st Consumer Products Accelerator

What We Do

SKU accelerates emerging CPG brands with a world-class program driven by a thriving community of serial entrepreneurs & industry experts. Our 14-week intensive program provides exclusive insider access to industry leaders, key retailers, and the tools necessary to accelerate smarter, faster growth.

 

 

 

SKU NEWS

Standing out from the Pack: Q&A with Kady Sandel

 Standing out from the Pack: Q&A with Kady Sandel 700 500 Michelle Breyer

When you walk into a store, you easily can be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of products on the shelf. In a market with thousands of companies are selling similar products, how do you break through the noise to reach your target consumer? We spoke brand strategist and designer Kady Sandel with Aventive Studio, an Austin-based…

The Art of Culinary Innovation: Q&A with Mark Crowell

 The Art of Culinary Innovation: Q&A with Mark Crowell 700 500 sku

Mark Crowell, SKU Mentor and founder of Culinex A decade ago, few would have imagined the the concept of insects as protein, the range of milk alternatives or the proliferation of hard seltzers in every flavor imaginable. The innovation in the food and beverage space is creating entirely new categories, reshaping the store shelves and…

Apply now to Austin Track 10

 Apply now to Austin Track 10 700 500 Michelle Breyer

Austin-based SKU is accepting applications for its 10th Austin cohort through Oct. 31st. The ideal SKU company has traction in the market, a compelling founder story and annual revenues of $250K or greater

Gathering in Person Again: Tara Burkley Talks Expo East

 Gathering in Person Again: Tara Burkley Talks Expo East 700 500 sku

With Expo East coming up Sept 22-25th in Philadelphia, Tara Burkley shared the experience of going virtual and the return to live events.

Seth Werner Talks about the Power of Pricing

 Seth Werner Talks about the Power of Pricing 700 500 Michelle Breyer

Pricing is unique in that it is the one opportunity for the firm to capture value.

From Restaurant to CPG: How to Keep the Special Sauce

 From Restaurant to CPG: How to Keep the Special Sauce 700 500 Michelle Breyer

We spoke with Matt about his experience working to grow a brand that came out of a successful restaurant while maintaining the “special sauce” of what makes it unique.

A Case Study in Rebranding: Macro Snacks becomes HA!

 A Case Study in Rebranding: Macro Snacks becomes HA! 700 500 Michelle Breyer

Track 9 brand rebranded from Macro Snacks to HA! to appeal to reach a larger market.

The Power of Objective Consumer Feedback

 The Power of Objective Consumer Feedback 700 500 Michelle Breyer

Highlight in-home consumer testing experience Founders of many emerging brands often depend upon friends and family to provide feedback on their products. While that can be helpful – and cost effective – in the beginning, it has its shortcomings. Unfortunately, many of those closest to us may tell us what we want to hear rather…

Mentoring for SKU: Seeking Successful CPG Leaders

 Mentoring for SKU: Seeking Successful CPG Leaders 700 500 Michelle Breyer

SKU mentor team meeting Mentoring for SKU is something special. It’s a transformative experience that positively impacts the mentors as much a the founders. I started mentoring for SKU Track 7. After selling my TextureMedia (NaturallyCurly), I was attracted to the idea of mentoring other entrepreneurs – sharing the dos, and possibly just as important,…

7-11: A Champion for Emerging Brands

 7-11: A Champion for Emerging Brands 700 500 Michelle Breyer

7-Eleven is putting an emphasis on on bringing emerging brands onto its shelves.

Alumni Companies

9 Tracks, more than 70 stellar start-ups!

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The SKU Advantage

We love what we do and it shows!

SKU 9 Sponsors

The SKU Ecosystem

SKU surrounds stellar startups with a powerful ecosystem that provides the tools and skills necessary to scale.

Applicants

12 Weeks of guided development, Stellar Curriculum, Cohort of Entrepreneurs

> Apply Now

Mentors

Industry Experts, Investors, Serial Entrepreneurs

> Become a SKU Mentor

Partners

Direct path to trade, Alumni support, Expansion of SKU model

> Sponsor SKU

Testimonials

“SKU provided us with the tools and resources necessary to properly scale our growing business. Many of our investors and mentors came from the connections we made through SKU.”

Brian White, Co-Founder, CEO Mashup Foods dba Picklesmash

“By participating in SKU I was able to round out my CPG knowledge and best practices. My mentor team went above and beyond my expectations and I could not be more grateful for having participated in SKU!”

Brett Christoffel, All Y'alls Foods

“The curriculum and expertise within the SKU community brought me a new level of confidence as an entrepreneur. By the end of the program I felt like I had laser focused my brand message and established a solid growth strategy. I highly recommend SKU if you’re ready to take your business to the next level.”

Shannon Davenport, Founder of Esker Beauty

“SKU’s process and resources empowered me to be better equipped to handle the unknown changes in CPG.”

Dustin Gersch, Founder/CEO, Paleo Powder Seasonings, LLC

“What I’ve gained from SKU is an awesome network of people I will have for my lifetime.”  

Alvie Faulkenbery IV, Alvie's

“For me, SKU has meant meeting a wonderful group of talented inspiring people. It’s opened a lot of doors and I’ve learned an incredible amount in a very short time. In a nutshell, it has genuinely accelerated the business of El Norteño and we are poised to launch much faster and stronger than we were 14 weeks ago.”

Justin Jahnke, El Norteño Foods

“The access to SKU mentors was amazing. They have incredible business insight and experience, and genuinely want to see your start-up succeed!”

Cameron Crake, Raven + Lily

“SKU helped us define our story, while supplying a network of resources to help us achieve it in the shortest amount of time.”

Steven Blustein, PrideBites

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SKU is for you if...

You are a consumer product startup with traction and market validation, ready to take the next steps to scale.

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