Whynatte Latte Selected for “Incubation Station’s” Inaugural Class

Start-Up Incubator Selects Five High-Potential “Consumer Packaged Goods” Start-Up Companies for 12-Week Mentoring Program, Access to Personalized, Business Critical Products & Services, and up to $20K Initial Investment                                                                                                         

Atlanta, Ga. (January 2012) – Incubation Station, an Austin-based hybrid incubator/accelerator, announced today its inaugural class of five companies selected to participate in its initial Track, focused on Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG). Proudly, Whynatte was the only out-of-state company selected. Incubation Station brings together a consortium of experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and advisors from the CPG industry in order to mentor and support high-potential CPG companies.

Whynatte Latte, an 8 oz 100 calorie coffee plus energy beverage crafted by one of the top beverage specialists in the industry, has gained a rampant following throughout the Southeast since its 2008 launch. Jesse Altman, Whynatte’s Founder and Managing Partner, will be commuting from Atlanta to Austin throughout the 12 week program.

“The Incubation Station mentors are excited to work with Whynatte, a young company with regional success and a strong brand, with the intention of putting it on a national stage,” said Shari Wynne, Incubation Station founder and Managing Director, and co-founder of MWR Legal, a business law firm dedicated to representing and connecting entrepreneurs, investors and emerging companies.

Each company will attend an intensive 12-week mentorship program that delivers the tools for success, including up to $20,000, direct networking with outstanding industry leaders, connections to distribution and logistics expertise, marketing, legal and other support services, and access to qualified investors.

“Our acceptance into the Incubation Station is a humbling validation of the vision we’ve had for the Whynatte brand, states Jesse Altman, Whynatte Founder and Managing Partner. The opportunity to work closely with industry leaders and entrepreneurs through this program is a game changing opportunity for a young but fast growing company like ours.  It’s going to be a blast.”

Other than Whynatte, the participating companies in Incubation Station’s inaugural class are as follows:

  • Primizie – Primizie produces handmade artisan specialty chips with minimal ingredients, no preservatives and no trans fats.
  • Thunderbird Energetica – Thunderbird Energetica (“Thunderbird”) is an artisan energy bar manufacturer committed to producing powerful sources of human fuel. Thunderbird bars are gluten-free, raw, soy-free, and vegan.
  • Verb – Verb is hair product created by the founders of Bird’s Barbershop. It solves the problem first realized at Bird’s – no one wants to pay as much for their hair product as their haircut.
  • Wondercide – Wondercide innovates, manufactures and markets a growing line of consumer products comprised of natural & organic pest control products, holistic personal and pet care products.

Each company will attend an intensive 12-week mentorship program that delivers the tools for success, including up to $20,000, direct networking with outstanding industry leaders, connections to distribution and logistics expertise, marketing, legal and other support services, and access to qualified investors. Incubation Station in return will retain a small equity stake in the portfolio companies.

Incubation Station will kick of its 12-week program on January 16, with a first-look preview event taking place on March 27, followed by the program culminating in a “Showcase Day” on April 24.

About Whynatte Latte:

Whynatte Latte was developed by two high school friends, Jesse Altman and Andrew Wessels, as a natural choice for quality-savvy consumers who look to coffee (“the original energy drink”) as a pick-me-up. Launched in November 2008, and distributed by industry frontrunner United Distributors Inc., the Whynatte Latte is currently available in Georgia (over 500 locations), Alabama, Ohio, Texas and New York, and for national online purchase via www.whynatte.com. To date, Whynatte has been featured in The Atlanta Business Chronicle (a three page article proclaimed “Strong Business Plan (and) Research Helps Latte Concept Catch On”), Rolling Stone Magazine, covered by Fox Business “Happy Hour”, MTV Cribs, MSNBC, and CNN.com, among others. The “vintage” Whynatte moniker t-shirt has been spotted on everyone from American Idol finalists to international travelers. Please visit the web site at whynatte.com, or follow us on Twitter @whynatte

About Incubation Station

Incubation Station is a powerful, integrated hub that matches young companies with the resources they need to propel their success – entrepreneur experience, industry-specific expertise, capital, business and legal infrastructure – as part of an engaging environment to encourage the free exchange of ideas and connections. Incubation Station is designed to provide access to resources normally beyond the reach of a start-up or early stage company. Please visit the web site at www.TheIncubationStation.com, or follow us on Twitter @IncuStation.