Join us for a full day dedicated to the region’s most promising early-stage Consumer and CPG startups. With over 20% of recent local angel investment flowing into the consumer sector, this event reflects the growing momentum behind early-stage brands across categories including food and beverage, personal care, consumer electronics, marketplaces, home goods, and retail innovation.
Ten carefully selected startups will present their businesses to an expert panel and a room of peers, mentors, and early-stage investors. Whether you're building, advising, or investing in high-growth consumer brands, this is an opportunity to connect with the people shaping the future of the sector in our region.
Schedule
1:00-1:30 PM Registration
1:30-1:45 PM Conference Opening and Introductions
Ron Wiener, Chief Mechanic @ Venture Mechanics
Greta Remington, CMO @ Venture Mechanics
1:45 - 2:30 PM Keynote Speaker: Cameron Gould-Saltman
Cameron Gould-Saltman is a CPG growth leader and angel investor with 15+ years of experience scaling food and beverage brands across e-commerce and retail. Most recently, he served as Head of Food & Beverage at TikTok Shop, where he built and led one of the platform’s fastest-growing verticals connecting emerging brands, creators, and consumers through social commerce.
Previously at Amazon Fresh, Cameron led high-impact category and innovation teams, launching programs like “Just Walk Out” retail tech and Amazon’s local brand discovery platform. His work has driven triple-digit growth across complex grocery categories and shaped how modern consumers discover and shop for food.
Having mentored at numerous incubators and accelerators including The Hatchery Chicago, The Food Foundry, and SKU, Cameron is known for his founder-first mindset, deep industry insight, and relationship-driven approach. He speaks frequently on creator-led growth, retail disruption, and the future of food.
Judges: TBA
Five highly-vetted Consumer/CPG startups will compete for top spot. Each of the companies will have 12 minutes to pitch, followed by 8 minutes of Q&A with the investor panel, and 8 minutes of Q&A with LPs in the audience.
2:35 - 3:05 Company 1
3:05 - 3:35 Company 2
-- Break --
3:50 - 4:20 Company 3
4:20 - 4:50 Company 4
4:50 - 5:20 Company 5
5:20 - 5:30 Judges award Best Investment Opportunity
-- Break —
Second Round Presentations
Five highly-vetted Consumer/CPG startups that are earlier in stage will each present to draw investors to their tables immediately after the stage portion of the event. Each of the companies will have 3 minutes to pitch, followed by 3 minutes of Q&A with the investor panel.
5:45 - 5:51 Company 6
5:52 - 5:58 Company 7
5:59 - 6:05 Company 8
6:06 - 6:12 Company 9
6:13 - 6:19 Company 10
6:20 - 6:30 Closing Remarks
Afterparty
Investors and founders can visit together at the companies' demo tables in the Embraer Room, while a light dinner and adult beverages are served.
Details
Parking is always free and easy at Venture Mechanics. Please arrive by 1PM. On-stage portion of the event runs from 1:30 to 6:30 PM with breaks. Light dinner and adult beverages will be served at 6:30pm. Guests are welcome to stay until 8:30 to visit with the startup founders at their respective demo tables.We look forward to seeing you there!
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