Naturally Network’s 2024 National Pitch Slam, presented by NIQ

Written By Ariele Jerome

Naturally Network's 2024 National Pitch Slam, presented by NIQ, was celebrated virtually and in person on August 8. Nine emerging, innovative, better-for-you CPG brands took the virtual stage to compete for the prestigious national title.


Each finalist had previously won a regional Pitch Slam and represented Naturally chapters across the country. Getting to know the brands, founders, and their missions has been a highlight of this experience—all nine are extraordinary, and you can meet most of them at Newtopia Now, New Hope Network's new trade show, on Aug. 25-28 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado.

MEET THE FINALISTS

    • Rooted Fare: Get 18% off your next order with codeNNPITCHSLAM (expires 8/31/24) 

    • True Moringa: Use the code NEWTOPIA for 20% off + they’ll plant a tree in your name 

    • Daybird: Get 15% off with code:NATURALLY15 (expires 8/31/24)

    • Stable Feed: Use NATURALLYSTABLEFEED at checkout to receive 10% off all StableFeed products

    • Lentiful: Get 25% off withthe codeNATURALLY25

    • Philosopher Foods: Get 20% off with the code NN20 (expires 9/4/24)

    • Evergreen: Get 20% off with the code NATURALLY20

    • Visit Loli's to learn more about their products

    • Visit Whipnotic to learn more about their products

 

WHAT IS A VIRTUAL PITCH SLAM?

The format of our 2024 Pitch Slam truly made this experience unique. With the goal of spotlighting these brands to as many viewers as possible, we created a highly accessible event, allowing people to attend virtually or connect and network in person at local chapter viewing parties. Hybrid events provide supporters, members, and partners the flexibility to attend in the way that works best for them. In total, 569 people registered for Pitch Slam events, and 800+ voted for Audience Choice.

Whether attending in person or virtually, everyone had the chance to cast their vote for the Audience Choice winner. Each finalist’s pitch video was accessible on our website before the event, allowing all attendees and supporters time to review, get to know, and choose their favorite brand. 


THE SHOW

The live show kicked-off with Katrina Tolentino, executive director of Naturally Network welcoming the community to the live event and setting the celebratory tone for our time together. Then the competition started…


Each brand was introduced by their regional chapter’s Executive director and an expert mentor. A key aspect of the Naturally Pitch Slam’s is the unparalleled access our finalists have to industry experts. These mentors meet and coach finalists through questions, and problems, helping to provide feedback that not supports in the competition but to also guides their businesses moving forward. A huge shout-out to this year’s mentors:


With the Pitch Videos live on our website in advance, the focus during the event was the live Q&A with our seasoned group of judges:

The judges asked hard-hitting questions and evaluated each finalist’s storytelling prowess, retail readiness, and adherence to a conscious business transformation framework encompassing passion, purpose, people, planet and prosperity.

Our favorite questions were the toughest ones to answer, one standout of the night was Veena Krishnan, founder of Daybird’s response to Jason Bidart’s question about why they had a 2-year plan to get into Target versus a 1-year plan:

“That comes down to our walk, jog, run phased approach to our retail strategy, we know it’s easy to get on the shelf, but it’s hard to stay on the shelf. We don’t want to bite off more than we can chew and loose out on that amazing opportunity to bring our products to the Target community nationwide. We’d rather take those measureable bites, leverage learnings at each step, online, wholesale relationships, to brick and mortar, so that we really understand retail marketing to drive in-store traffic.”

PRIZES

Glory wasn’t the only thing on the line in this competition - the finalists were competing for some serious prizes:

NATIONAL CHAMPION | $40K in support

  1. A booth at 2025 Expo West and additional support
    from New Hope Network - worth $30,000

  2. A pro subscription to RangeMe to build relationships with retailers - worth $2,500

  3. A hosted brand scholarship to attend SupplySide West - worth $3,000

  4. A data package from NIQ

  5. A $199 listing for a co-man need on PartnerSlate.com

RUNNER-UP and AUDIENCE CHOICE | $6,600K in support

  1. A premium subscription to RangeMe to build relationships with retailers - worth $1,400

  2. A data package from NIQ

  3. A $199 listing for a co-man need on PartnerSlate.com

WINNERS

Each finalist delivered an impressive performance and handled the question-and-answer sessions with confidence and clarity. Their pitch videos were not only inspirational but also showcased the passion and purpose driving their businesses. The level of talent and innovation made selecting the final winners an exceptionally challenging task for the judges. With that said, we are so proud to share the Winner, Runner-Up, and Audience Choice for Naturally Network’s 2024 Pitch Slam, presented by NIQ:

WINNER: Lentiful

RUNNER-UP: Evergreen

AUDIENCE CHOICE: ROOTED FARE

Miss out on the fun? No worries, watch the entire show here below:

THANK YOU

Our partners, supporters, members, and Chapters make these events successful and there is a long list of people we need to thank personally for the success of this Pitch Slam.

Thank you to our partners who made this event possible: NIQ, New Hope Network, SupplySide West, RangeMe, and PartnerSlate.

Thank you to the staff and Executive Directors of our regional chapters for creating space, hosting in-person viewing parties, and sending incredible finalists to the national pitch slam.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Naturally Network is eagerly preparing for Newtopia Now, August 25-28, in Denver, Colorado. Some of the Pitch Slam finalists will be there, visit them at their booths listed below. Learn more about Naturally Network’s plans here.

  • Loli’s #B 1008

  • Daybird #B 2607

  • Philosopher Foods #B 1009

  • True Moringa #B 844

  • Evergreen #B 1007

  • Lentiful #B 1006

Ariele Jerome
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