How does your company stay innovatively nimble? Where do you find know-how and inspiration to continue your growth trajectory?
Ninety industry professionals turned out for our Annual FaBcap Pitch & Capstone Keynote on Thursday, June 21 at the Wisconsin Club in Milwaukee.
Attendees met ten of our most promising small (but growing!) food and beverage companies. We select ten each year to participate in our FaBcap accelerator program to elevate their capacity for growth. Our second FaBcap class of ten “Capper” companies were put through an nine-month program which culminated with their pitches to our panel of investors and advisers. They showed up ready to impress ready to impress with their pitches and products.
A keynote presentation by Frank Jimenez, President & Managing Partner of EVOLVE Brands, made the day come full circle. His newly-acquired company, Gorilly Goods, was a FaBcap 1 participant - what's next for these ten companies?
PLAY-BY-PLAY
8:30 – 9:00 AM
Attendees arrived, networked, and enjoyed a continental breakfast and Capper exhibits.
9:00 – 9:15 AM
Shelley Jurewicz, Executive Director of FaB Wisconsin, warmly welcomed attendees to a truly exciting day. Nine months of our Cappers' hard work and growth are coming to a close!
Brad Rostowfske, FaB's Director of Industry Growth, introduced our pitch panel (l to r): Bryan Mulkerron, Vice President at Bank of America Merrill Lynch; Rod Hogan, Vice President of New Business Development at Sargento Foods; Frank Jimenez, President & Managing Partner of Evolve Brands; Tera Johnson, Founder & Director of the UW-Extension Food Finance Institute; and Adam Peck (later replaced by Eric Lenzen), Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Arbel Growth Partners.
9:15 – 10:45 AM
The pitches begin.
PHILOCOFFIA COFFEE CO.
Johnny Ferrell is offering a unique cold brewed coffee that retains the fresh taste of roasted coffee longer by applying a patent-pending thin layer of coconut oil protective coating, along with appropriate packaging. (Started 2016; Milwaukee, WI)
KETTLE RANGE MEAT CO.
Mark Bearce is working with a close network of independent Wisconsin family farms to provide and process organic meat products that are grass fed and antibiotic and GMO free, with no added hormones, along with ready-to-eat meals and sides. (Started 2015; Milwaukee, WI)
HONESTLY CRANBERRY
Cranberry grower Mary Brazeau Brown is using a proprietary drying process to produce dried cranberries without adding sugar featuring their honest tart flavor for recipes and food products. (Started 2014; Wisconsin Rapids, WI)
10:45 – 11:00 AM
Break, networking, and Capper exhibits.
11:00 AM – NOON
The next two Cappers are up to bat. Each gives their ten minute pitch, then it's time be be grilled by the investor panel.
ALT BREW
Trevor Easton is producing a range of great tasting gluten free beers. Awesome beer. Gluten not included. (Started 2012; Madison, WI)
FILLMYRECIPE
Husband and wife Partha Parthasarathy and Sara Sabniviss are offering new flavor profiles with their organic Indian flavor kits to experience culture one meal at a time. (Started 2012; Madison, WI)
NOON – 12:30 PM
It's not a FaB event without food! Attendees and Cappers dig into a buffet lunch and take in the Capper and sponsor exhibits.
12:30 – 12:40 PM
Refreshed and ready to go, the next three Cappers pitch:
FUNKY FRESH SPRING ROLLS
Trueman McGee is hand-rolling a variety of uniquely flavored gourmet spring rolls made with fresh and local ingredients. (Started 2014; Milwaukee, WI)
CRESCENT MEATS
New owner Wayne Lautsbaugh is revitalizing the business, offering the quality and service of an old-fashioned meat market with modern technology to provide the highest quality award-winning meat possible: from traditional to exotic meats, certified organic from harvest to plate. (Started 2003; Cadott, WI)
SOULBOXER COCKTAIL CO.
Doug McKenzie and Jason Neu are bringing together superior ingredients to create ready-to-drink premium drink cocktails, including the classic Wisconsin Old Fashioned, that have old school swagger, a touch of class and serious quality - a cocktail worth drinking. (Started 2015; Mukwonago, WI)
2:00 – 2:15 PM
Break, networking, and Capper exhibits.
2:15 – 2:25 PM
Last but not least: the final two. Pitches are made and final panel questions are asked.
MILWAUKEE PRETZEL CO.
Matt Wessel is making and twisting authentic, hand-crafted fresh Bavarian soft pretzels. (Started 2013; Milwaukee, WI)
CLEAN BEAM
Mark Cottone is revolutionizing shoe/boot sanitizer (patent pending) technology, taking what is currently a crude process with essentially zero traceability and stepping into the next century. (Started 2016; Necedah, WI)
3:20 - 3:30 PM
Capstone welcome and comments by Shelley Jurewicz
3:30 – 4:00 PM
Frank Jimenez, President & Managing Partner of EVOLVE Brands, takes the stage to give his keynote presentation.
- Setting a Vision – Your path to thinking BIG
- Targeting Consumers & Positioning in the Market
- Market Execution – Develop the “wheel” to selling
4:00 – 4:30 PM
This is it! Juan Gomez, Technology Investment Manager, and Vincent Rice, Vice President of Sector Strategy Development at the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. step up to begin the awards ceremony. Each Capper is presented with a crystal award: the cherry on top of a successful nine months.
