Founders of the six brands who participated in the second cohort of SKU Elevate (formerly the SKU M/O Track) will celebrate the culmination of the program with a virtual pitch event. The showcase will debut on August 25 at 12 pm CT.
This groundbreaking program for BIPOC (Black and Indigenous people of color) founders was created to foster a more inclusive community in the CPG industry.
SKU Elevate (formerly known as the SKU M/O Track) is an 8-week virtual program that provides education, mentorship, and networking. Brands were chosen based on their traction, innovation, and their founder story. The program is aimed at brands with revenues of less than $100,000.
“We’re so proud of the founders who participated in SKU Elevate,” says Emily Kealey, the Program Director for SKU Dallas, the nation’s first consumer products accelerator. “Over the past eight weeks, they worked so hard and came so far. We’re excited for people to watch their pitches.”
The brands in the cohort are:
Brune Kitchen
Founded by Tania Sweis and Jahan Shahrya, Brune Kitchen makes clean, indulgent, tahini-based cookies that are grain-free, gluten-free, plant-based, and free of refined sugars, additives, and preservatives.
Butter’d Bodycare
Founded by Brittany Bygrave, Butter’d Bodycare is a sustainable, clean beauty brand that offers non-toxic skincare products for people of color with skin conditions.
Green Sahara
Founded by Derin Raji, Green Sahara is on a mission to bring delicious flavors from the African continent to our wider community of food lovers.
Heralogie
Founded by Connie Shih, Heralogie helps menstruators feel unparalleled comfort, security, and peace of mind with our unique, tree-based, breathable period panties that mold to your body.
Oatmeal & Co
Founded by Darian Washington and her son Derrick, Oatmeal & Company is disrupting boring bowls of oatmeal and replacing morning routines with thoughtfully curated blends of fruit, organic oat, and high-quality spices.
Pearl Honey Spreads
Founded by Moji Okuyemi, Pearl Honey Spreads is a honey-based spreads, preserves, and jam company that offers healthy alternatives to sugar spreads.
SKU Elevate includes the top-notch curriculum that SKU is known for on such topics as branding, channel strategy, product innovation, and operations.
SKU Elevate includes the top-notch curriculum that SKU is known for on such topics as branding, channel strategy, product innovation, and operations. A key benefit of the program is the mentorship founders receive throughout the track. Each brand is paired with a carefully selected mentor team dedicated to helping them scale their business. SKU Elevate mentors are a who’s-who of CPG leaders, successful founders, and subject-matter experts who are all dedicated to helping to level the playing field for people of color in the consumer products industry.
SKU Elevate sponsors include 301 INC, Foundry Brands, and HumanCo.
