Investors, entrepreneurs and food industry executives were brought together on November 16 for the first annual Accelerating Food Entrepreneurs Conference hosted by RutgersX. Held on the Rutgers campus, the sold out event included opening remarks from industry, academic and government leaders followed by a full day of panel discussions and pitch presentations by graduates of the RutgersX Food Accelerator Program.
RutgersX was created by the Rutgers Food Innovation Center (FIC) to foster a more prosperous food industry in New Jersey. Their commitment to assist New Jersey food startups includes providing resources and innovative research that will foster growth. Lou Cooperhouse is the Director of the Food Innovation Center and organizer of the day’s event.
Coinciding with Global Entrepreneurship Week, the event hosted prominent guest speakers who spoke about entrepreneurship and the importance of the entrepreneurial segment of the food industry in New Jersey. Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, emphasized that a strong startup community drives innovation and future job growth. She was joined by Senior Vice President of Rutgers University Office of Research and Economic Development, Christopher Molloy, as well as Kellie LeDet, Regional Administrator of the US Small Business Administration and Douglas Fisher, Secretary of the NJ Department of Agriculture.
Three panel discussions focused on trends in the food market, fundamentals of funding, and advice on how to make a startup attractive to investors. It included food industry specialists Kirstie Chadwick, CEO of the International Business Innovation Association, and Ron Tanner, Vice President of the Specialty Foods Association.
Nine RutgersX graduates pitched their startups to the audience of potential investors and food industry experts.
The presenters were:
First Field: Founded by husband and wife duo, Patrick Leger and Theresa Viggiano, the business uses fresh fruit and vegetables to produce yearly and seasonal condiments, such as ketchup and relish. The company has a community-based focus as it sources its produce directly from farms across the New Jersey region.
Jalma Farms: Jalma Farms is a family-owned farm that produces all natural jams, jellies and syrups from the beach plums and black aronia berries that are grown on site. Owners John and Alma George are continuing the family business that has existed for over 300 years.
Hot Sauce 4 Good: Founded by Bob Ferretti, this family run company creates and sells hot sauce, donating $1 to charities around the world and in the United States for each bottle sold. To date, the company has raised $65k for the charities they fund.
Jin+Ja: Jin+Ja mixes ginger, green tea, cayenne pepper, mint and lemon to create a delicious cold refreshment. Created by CEO of Canada Enterprises, Reuben Canada, this all-natural and healthy beverage is also used by retail companies to mix with premium cocktails.
Brewla Bars: Created by Rebecca and Daniel Greengrove, Brewla Bars is a natural alternative to ice cream popsicles. The bars are created using brewed teas or botanicals, containing only 20-50 calories per pop as well as vitamin and mineral intake.
Chia Star: Chia Star is a nutritional beverage line founded by nutritionist Sara Erb. The low sugar drinks are based on the health benefits of chia seeds while containing high amounts of calcium, antioxidants, potassium, protein, fiber and manganese.
Megas Yeeros: Intent on bringing Greek food to the US market, founder Rob Carcich created Megas Yeeros in 2007. As the largest Greek meat producing company in Europe, they are en route to launching their line of stuffed kababs in the United States.
Nutrasorb: Founded by Ilya Raskin, Nutrasorb creates enhanced botanical ingredients for its customers in the food industry. The Nutrasorb technology that gathers healthy compounds out of fruits and vegetables is patent-pending.
DouxMatok: DouxMatok enables less sugar use in the food industry by using technologies to produce sweeter sugars. The company was founded by Noam Gressel in 2014.
It was an exciting day for the nine program graduates as their products were sampled by food industry experts, as well as potential investors.
