NEW YORK, Nov. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — After months of hard work, the newest cohort of innovative food and beverage start-ups in the AccelFoods program will present their progress to tastemakers, industry insiders and potential investors at AccelFoods’ Demo Day on December 3rd in New York. Co-hosted by Loews Hotels & Resorts, Demo Day will feature a keynote speech from cookbook author, renowned chef and AccelFoods advisor, Tom Colicchio. As one of AccelFoods’ founding Advisory Board Members, Colicchio has now watched eight companies complete the accelerator program and has taken an active role to support many of the brands’ growth. “AccelFoods is the first stop for innovative, emerging brands thinking outside of the box of what is typically offered at retail. I could not be prouder to be affiliated with start-ups like the companies that are part of AccelFoods, and look forward to sharing my perspective on innovation to the AccelFoods community,” said Colicchio.
AccelFoods’ mission is to provide game-changing packaged food startups with operational support, strategic partnership, mentorship, and capital. Companies are selected to join the program based on factors such as: taste, category and financial opportunity, team, and innovation. All of the founders are required to implement significant changes to their existing models if accepted into AccelFoods. The four graduating AccelFoods companies are:
- JJ’s Sweets, makers of Cocomels ® – “The Original Coconut Milk Caramel” – a Boulder, CO based company that creates innovative artisan-crafted candy confections. Cocomels are luscious smooth caramels, which are vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO and USDA certified organic. (www.cocomels.com, @JJsCocomels)
- Rochester, NY based Evoke Healthy Foods (formerly Muesli Fusion) makes nutritional muesli products that are non-GMO, organic and gluten-free, with unique and functional ingredients like chia seeds, goji berries, quinoa, and more. (www.evokefoods.com, @EvokeFoods)
- From New Orleans, LA, ICONIC is a low-calorie meal-replacement beverage made with all-natural ingredients that provides mainstream consumers with healthy energy and increased focus on the go. (www.drinkiconic.com, @Drinkiconic)
- Founded in Hong Kong and relocating to New York, NY, Four Sigma Foods brings the world’s most ancient superfoods: mushrooms and adaptogens–to the everyday user with its line of “Instants” mushroom teas and “Herbs” adaptogenic powdered drink mixes. (www.foursigmafoods.com, @FourSigmaFoods)
Other key sponsors of Demo Day supporting the growth of emerging food and beverage start-ups include: FreshDirect; The Giannuzzi Group LLP; Ignite Sales and Marketing Management; Force Brands; Anchin, Block & Anchin LLP; BWD Group LLC; and 301, Inc.
About AccelFoods
AccelFoods is a national packaged food and beverage accelerator with a dedicated investment fund. It offers entrepreneurs funding, engaged support from an operating team, experienced mentors and corporate partners for a period of 5 months. The dedicated operating team offers high-touch guidance with core competency expertise in the following areas: branding/packaging innovation, finance, investor relations, legal, marketing activation, operations, R&D and sales/distribution. For a full list of AccelFoods’ mentors and strategic partners, and to keep track of its portfolio companies, visit the AccelFoods website athttp://www.accelfoods.com.