Kaurina’s Kulfi
The Serendipitous Journey to Perfect Indulgent Ice Cream.
Kulfi, an Indian frozen dessert with a rich history, has found its perfect form in Kaurina’s Kulfi. If you haven’t tasted these delicious treats yet, you’ve just got to try them – and now it’s even easier. The company has just gotten their products into ALL 44 Texas region Costco’s! Get your 12 Kulfi Bars variety pack today! Learn more about the company here.
Movin’ On to Bigger and Better
Austin Patry and Sophia Karbowsky announced last month that the highest-grossing location of their campus cafes, Rollin’ n Bowlin’ at TCU, was acquired in a 7-figure deal by their competitor, Shake Smart, while their other locations were purposefully wound down. This marked the first successful exit for the founders and more importantly, it has given them the time to focus on their nut butter date CPG brand, realsy. Read more here.
Four Corners Brewing News:
According to Dallas Innovates, the founders of Four Corners Brewing have pulled a reverse move. The Dallas-based brand “is going to be an independent craft brewery again after its founders announced they are buying the company back from Constellation Brands, a Fortune 500 company that has owned the company since 2018.” According to the magazine, the founders have “made a strategic decision to concentrate on the beers that helped give it a market cap of nearly $43 billion: Modelo, Corona, and Pacifico.” Four Corners Brewing can now get back to its “entrepreneurial roots.” Read more here.
A Cuppa’ Texas Joe
According to Food Business News, “TreeHouse Foods, Inc. has reached an agreement to acquire the Farmer Brothers non-direct store delivery coffee business as well as its Northlake, Texas, coffee facility for approximately $100 million. TreeHouse also said it will assume select customer relationships and retain approximately 180 Farmer Brothers employees to support operations at the Northlake plant.” Read more here.
Thank You to our own DFW CPG Executive Committee Panel who presented at the 2023 Go TEXAN Expo in Dallas Market Hall on the topic of Strategies to Grow a Successful Brand to an audience of about 50 people. Attendees included brands from olive oil to salsa, glassware, spices and more. A shoutout to some of our brands for attending (All Y’alls Foods, White Rock Granola, Kaurina’s Kulfi, and Cheeza Pleeza). Topics such as having a strategic channel growth plan, ensuring your product or brand is ready to scale, developing financial knowledge, and knowing your consumer were discussed to an engaged audience of nearly 50 participants, many of whom have now joined DFW CPG. Kudos to panelists Richard Riccardi, Tim Prager, Mindy Robbins and moderator, Genevieve Poirier-Richards.
Shark Tank Alumnus
Don’t miss the opportunity to hear Chris Gronkowski, entrepreneur (IceShaker.com) and former pro football player, speak about “Lessons Learned From the Shark Tank” at Prestonwood Country Club -The Creek, July 19 from 7:00-9:15 am, hosted by Success North Dallas. Entry is free for first-time visitors and includes a continental breakfast. Use promo code: FIRSTTIME when you register here.
Dallas Startup Week, September 10-14 in Frisco, is a FREE opportunity that brings together entrepreneurs and change-makers for a week-long experience, described as the largest entrepreneurial event in North Texas, to exchange ideas, collaborate, and grow alongside the 10th largest startup ecosystem in the US. Register here and see speaker pages and event calendars for this week of exciting events!
Special Opportunities During Startup Week!
Startup Alley Expo: Monday 9/11 from 7pm – 9pm: Join us for this small business expo that showcases startups, founders, corporate partners, innovators, resources and more during Dallas Startup Week Sponsored! Apply to host a booth today! Applications close on August 1 at 11:59 PM CT.
Women of Innovation Women’s Marketplace Application: Wednesday, September 13, we will cap off a great Women of Innovation Summit with the Women’s Marketplace during Dallas Startup Week from 6:00-8:00 pm. Join us to shop from local women businesses, innovators, partners and more! Apply to host a booth here.
All applications close on August 1 at 11:59 PM CT.
Expo East is Nigh!
As one of the top CPG trade shows in the country, Natural Products Expo East gathers brands, retailers and industry members to reconnect and discover what’s next in natural & organic products. The show will be in Philadelphia September 20-23. Register now. Can’t make it in person? Most activities are also available online.
TV (CPG) Dinners:
Also, check out Flamin’ Hot, based on how a Frito-Lay janitor, Richard Montañez, invented Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. It’s a bit hokey but might give you some inspiration for brand development.
Grant Available
Thinking of buying some commercial real estate? You may qualify for a Down Payment Grant for up to $25,000 from Bank of America. Dedicated to women and minority-owned businesses, this non-repayable grant is in cooperation with the SBA, Small Business Administration, for owner-occupied commercial real estate loans for business locations within select areas including Dallas. Click here to learn more. Thanks to Derin Raji of Green Sahara Chips for sharing this opportunity.
HEB News
The H-E-B Supplier Diversity Team is hosting a free virtual Table Talk on July 20 from 11:30AM-1PM CST. The themes that will be discussed are onboarding, marketing & selling strategies, securing funding, and business development. The program is tailored towards current and potential, local, small, minority, woman, LGBTQ, Disabled and Veteran owned business. Register here.
Women’s Incubator
An all-women Social Innovation Incubator cohort in partnership with United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, Dallas College, SMU MADI and eqALL Business Solutions is now open for applications! This game-changing incubator seeks to correct the historical opportunity and resource gaps fueled by systemic racial and gender inequities. Apply here by July 28.
SUMMIT IN VEGAS:
Emerging Brands Summit 2023 is a one-day event in Las Vegas on Sunday, September 10, 2023, prior to the start of PACK EXPO, designed for fast-growing emerging brands seeking to scale their manufacturing operations. One $50,000 grant will be awarded onsite at the Emerging Brands Summit. Learn more about the grant program at the Emerging Brands Alliance, or download a sample application.
SUSTA 50% CostShare Program
Thinking of export? The Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA) helps small companies in the Southern US promote food and agricultural products to foreign markets. They offer up to 50% reimbursement on certain marketing costs such as trade show booths. Learn more and apply here.