ImpactSKU has selected the five companies that will participate in the upcoming track of the Minneapolis program, ImpactSKU ’21. Each was selected based on the basis of product innovation, their traction in the market, and the passion of their founders.
The newest cohort’s companies are Ancient Provisions, Chiki Chiki Boom Boom, Harmony Cricket Farm, KIZE and Maazah Chutney.
This second track follows last year’s 8-week ImpactSKU Preview – a shortened virtual program created when COVID-19 forced a pivot. The ImpactSKU program is a collaboration between Minneapolis-based FINNOVATION Lab and Austin-based SKU, which is the nation’s first CPG accelerator celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year. Since it was founded, more than 80 companies have completed the program throughout X tracks in four cities.
The 12-week program kicks off June 1 and runs through late August. It offers a best-in-class curriculum taught by the nation’s top CPG industry experts on topics ranging from supply chain to e-commerce strategy.
Over the course of 12 weeks, the founders will participate in a proven program that combines the best-in-class CPG curriculum with mentoring. The program culminates in a showcase virtual pitch event in September, which provides founders with a chance to present their brands to a national audience of CPG leaders and investors.
Past cohort members, like Mostly Made, have found immense value from the program, from mentorship to industry connections.
“ImpactSKU has been pivotal for Mostly Made! The program helped me identify some mistakes I was making and opportunities to improve,” notes Jillian McGary, founder of ImpactSKU Preview alumni Mostly Made. “With the help of SKU’s mentor network, we’re relaunching our improved products in 50 stores at an innovative national retailer and have received interest from national distributors and grocery buyers. This would not have happened without SKU. We went from stagnating sales to explosive growth in 8 weeks.”