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Emerging brands, industry experts, retailers and investors.

Like mustard and ketchup, salt and pepper, the grocery retail industry succeeds when we all work together. FMI Emerge convenes everyone in one place – emerging brands boasting a wide range of products, the industry’s leading experts, regional and nationwide retailers, and investors looking for new opportunities.

Growing a new products business is hard to do alone. Access the people and resources you need to grow sustainably and expand your distribution, operations, financing and sales. Increase revenue, velocity, and secure more shelf space through a yearly subscription with FMI Emerge.

Champion Council

Retailer Advisory Council

Mentor Network

Investor Community

Mentors Matter

How “local” can a Whole Foods Market buy? What are Kroger’s buying priorities? What’s the best way to approach a buyer in my category? What kind of promotions does Wegmans expect? Should I approach Costco and the club channel? How do I adapt my supply chain to accommodate my new e-commerce plans? What food safety plans should I have in place?

 

FMI Emerge has answers! We’ve gathered industry experts and leaders who can lend invaluable advice to your growth journey and leverage their networks to give exclusive opportunities to help your brand gain more shelf space.

 

Subscribe today and access the FMI Emerge team of industry veterans and thought-leaders.

Subscribe to Access the Entire FMI Emerge Mentor Network

  • Moe Abdelrasoul

    Director of Category Management, KeHe


  • Susan Barnhardt

    President, It Takes A Hive


    Go-to-Market Strategist, with emphasis on developing Retailer Partnerships.

  • Meg Barnhart

    Founder, Yogini dba the zen of slow cooking


    Social-Impact Entrepreneur

  • Elliot Begoun

    Principal, The Intertwine Group


    Leader in growing emerging food and beverage brands.

  • Bryan Bootka

    Co-Founder, Beyond Marketing | Consulting | Brokering


    Expertise in Sales Management and Broker Support.

  • Stephanie Bossung

    Vice President, Account Services, NewPoint Marketing


    Marketing Retail Strategy and Branding Expertise

  • Bob Burke

    Natural Products Consulting


    Industry leader in bringing natural, organic and specialty products to market.

  • Tim Clark

    Vice President, Emerging Brands, Inmar, Inc.


    CPG business development, distribution, product development, social media marketing.

  • Joe Dickson

    Co-Founder, Head of Standards & Policy, Merryfield


    Advocate and expert in organic and sustainable agriculture systems, food labeling and certification programs.

  • Jennifer Ellis

    VP of Sales, The Seaweed Bath Co.


    Sales Management Expert (retailer, broker and manufacturing)

  • Greg Feinberg

    Founder & CEO, Sunset Blvd. Ventures, Aisle 9


    Representation and Distribution Strategist

  • Elizabeth Frandle

    Category Management, KeHe


    Contract & Vendor Negotiations, Category Management,
    Advertising/Promotion, Sales Planning

  • Mark Fraser

    CEO/Founding Partner, Brand Kitchen


    Helping food and beverage clients build awareness and increase market share.

  • Julia Garcés French

    Managing Director, Golden Seeds


    Investor and Strategic Partner to Consumer Brands

  • Randy Funk

    CEO & Founder, Frontera Equity Growth Advisors


    Expertise in growing companies nationally & internationally. CPG, Logistics, Private Equity & Technology.

  • Betsy Gillette

    Founder, Synergy Consulting


    20-year industry veteran in conventional and natural retail. Specialties: Sales Management, Distribution, Promotions, Channel & Trade Strategy.

  • Mark Gullickson

    Co-Founder, MMI Business Advisors


    CPG Retail Executive, Entrepreneur & Strategic Advisor

  • Fred Hart

    Creative Director & Partner, InteractBoulder


    Designer, storyteller & phrontist

  • Edward Hoffman

    Senior Vice President, Padilla


    Food Industry Specialist leading Food+Beverage at Padilla. Partners with entrepreneurs, emerging companies and category challengers across all channels.

  • Andrew Ive

    Founder, Big Idea Ventures


    Entrepreneurial strategist focused on food innovation, acceleration, investment

  • Keith Kohler

    K2 Financing


    SBA Loan and Debt Financing Specialist, Financing Advisory and Education, Gluten-Free Industry Specialist & Speaker

  • Daniel Lohman, CPSA

    Strategic Advisor, Organic & CPG Industry


    Focused on teaching brands what retailers REALLY want, and how to get shelfspace, while saving time and money.

  • Mathis Martines

    Brand & Strategy Adviser for Retail and CPG


    General Management and Overall Growth Strategy, Executive Brand Strategy & Development, Trade & Channel Strategy, Product Development

  • Katie Mleziva

    Principal, Brand Strategist, Real Food Brands


    Natural Foods Brand Strategist

    Real Food Brands Podcast Host

  • Bruce Nierenberg

    BIN Partners


    35 years experience in Organic & Natural Food Industry. Angel investing, and advising consumer product companies and private equity funds.

  • Patrick Nycz

    Founder & President, NewPoint Marketing


    Author, Moving Your Brand Up the Food Chain

  • Ryan Pintado-Vertner

    Founder, Smoketown Strategy & Innovation Consulting


    Helping passionate brands and social enterprises have more impact and create better products.

  • Kyle Steele

    Managing Partner, SEO Expert Inc.


    Nurturing small brands through the world of ecommerce, digital, SEO and Voice search (Hello Alexa!)

  • Bob Wheatley

    Founder & CEO, Emergent


    Brand and business strategist. Agency leader. Content marketing expert.

  • Molly Williams

    VP, 2x Consumer Products Growth Partners


    Focused on helping management teams build the consumer brands of the future.

Connecting Industry Experts as Mentors

Advice is plentiful in the FMI Emerge community. Emerging brands learn alongside peers and interact with industry experts through different courses, webinars and online discussion groups. Initial consultations with mentors are offered at no charge to emerging brands. Plenty of questions are answered and relevant experiences shared.

Join in as a mentor, investor or sponsor.

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