Naturally Chicago Virtual Pitch Slam — August 10

Join us online on Wednesday, August 10, 1 p.m. central, for the Naturally Chicago Virtual Pitch Slam, in which these six emerging brands (listed alphabetically) will compete for the deluxe prize package described below:

Globowl: Organic baby food with globally inspired flavors for future foodies.

GoNanas: Banana bread mix that's good for your body and soul, with real simple ingredients and nostalgic taste.

Ms. P's Gluten Free: MsPsGFree is a small certified woman and certified minority owned baking business that has products in several grocers to include Whole Foods Market locations in and around Chicagoland, we specialize in delicious, nutritious and healthy gluten-free granola.

1Up Food Arcade: Doing better in their values-driven food brands through their elusively simple philosophy of "good, simple and fun for all."

Rumi Spice: Ethically sourced spices and blends from farmers in Afghanistan with the goals of cultivating peace and empowering women.

Theo’s Plant-Based: Producer of chef-inspired, plant-based jerky made with 100 percent organic vegetables.

Here are the prizes that are up for grabs:

• The winner will receive a free booth at Natural Products Expo East in Philadelphia (September 28-October 1) and the opportunity to participate in the national Pitch Slam to be held there, both donated by event producers New Hope Network and its parent company Informa. The Pitch Slam runner-up will also be invited to participate in the national Pitch Slam.

Expo East is one of our industry's biggest annual trade shows. The Pennsylvania Convention Center will be teeming retailers, wholesalers, distributors and investors, all looking for the next hot products.

• SPINS — a Naturally Chicago co-founder and the leading provider of data and insights for the Good Food and Natural Products industry — is donating a Market Research report valued at $10,000 for the Pitch Slam winner AND a Market Research report valued at $3,500 for the runner-up.

• Polsinelli law firm is offering legal services valued at $2,500 to the Pitch Slam winner.

And here are the industry rock stars who will be judging the competition:

• JEAN-PIERRE COMTE, President, Barilla Americas: Jean-Pierre runs the North and South America operations for Italy-based Barilla, one of the world’s largest producers of past and other Italian food products. Committed to the development of products that meet the rising consumer demand for healthy and sustainably produced food, Jean-Pierre is a member of Naturally Chicago’s Board of Directors, and is unwavering in his leadership and engagement in promoting diversity and inclusion.

• ASHLEY HARTMAN, Managing Partner, Bluestein Ventures: Ashley, a Naturally Chicago Board member, is co-leader of Bluestein Ventures, a venture capital firm that invests in the future of food. She drives the firm’s strategy, portfolio company support and deal pipeline, has more than 30 investments in the space, and has deep experience leading growth strategy and establishing scalable infrastructure necessary to build sustainable ventures.

• MICHAEL KAPLAN, Managing Partner, Spiral Sun Ventures: Michael teamed with Mark Thomann, a Naturally Chicago Board member, to launch Spiral Sun Ventures in 2016. The venture capital firm invests in promising CPG companies that are early-stage (Seed to Series A). Michael specializes in transaction management, structuring and team-building, with a passion for the vital impact our nutritional choices have an overall health and well-being.

• JASON MERCER, Principal, Cleveland Avenue: Jason — a Naturally Chicago Board member and chair of its Investor Outreach Committee — is a member of the Finance team at Cleveland Avenue, a Chicago venture capital firm that supports emerging brands with a particular focus on BIPOC- and woman-owned companies. He focuses on financial diligence for investment opportunities in his role at Cleveland Avenue.

The Pitch Slam moderator is:

• ZACK STRANGE, Attorney, Polsinelli law firm: Zack, an attorney in Polsinelli’s Venture Capital and Emerging Growth Companies Group, concentrates his practice in the consumer product space. Zack advises entrepreneurs, startups and high growth companies throughout their life cycles, helping them raise capital, execute acquisitions and divestitures and comply with regulatory requirements. Zack also regularly advises consumer product investors in investment rounds.

Click the link below to register to watch the Pitch Slam (it’s free!).