Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Ajay Joshi
Join us for a panel and fun networking mixer where you'll get to sample emerging food and beverage brands.
Startup brands are disrupting the food landscape. Hear from prominent Wharton founders and industry leaders about what they hope to accomplish, and how to overcome the many obstacles in the way, and sample some products from emerging brands while networking with other Wharton alums. The panel event will be moderated by Daniel Scharff WG09, former CEO of an organic beverage startup, and founder of the world's largest community of food and beverage entrepreneurs.
About the Precelerator Startup Incubator Lab at 3rd St Promenade:
The Preccelerator™ Program is an accelerator for early-stage startups offered to select companies out of the Santa Monica office of Stubbs Alderton & Markiles, LLP that provides sophisticated legal services, interim office space, mentorship, a targeted curriculum, investment strategy counseling and access to a strategic perks portfolio with the objective of helping you grow your idea from business concept to funded startup.
We offer:
- Free 24/7 co-working space on a rolling basis in sought after Santa Monica, including printer and copier access, wireless internet and access to conference rooms for meetings and presentations.
- Proactive support in making sure your incorporation, contracts and equity structures are set up correctly before you get too far down the evolutionary path. Access to $25,000 worth of real-time non-billable legal advice and transactional legal services on site under our standard terms of engagement. To view SA&M’s practice offerings, click here.
Please visit the website of our host Stubbs Alderton & Markiles for more information on their services!
About the Moderator:
Daniel Scharff WG09 is the founder/CEO of Startup CPG, a media company supporting emerging food and beverage entrepreneurs. Previously, he was the founding CEO of Machu Picchu Energy, a Do Good organic energy drink business he scaled to become the fastest growing brand in the natural channel, and prior to that, he was the head of strategy for FoodTech pioneer Eat Just (plant-based eggs, and clean meat). He has an MBA from the Wharton Business School and an MA in International Studies from the Lauder Institute.
Daniel Scharff WG09
Startup CPG – The go-to community for CPG brands
About the Speakers:
Jennifer Stojkovic is a food-tech leader, founder of Vegan Women Summit (VWS), the author of The Future of Food is Female, and General Partner at Joyful VC. She is an investor, advisor, and board member of numerous startups, including Lighter and MeliBio. As a strategic leader in the industry, she has led and advised on numerous projects including Hollywood films, presidential fundraisers, and PR campaigns. Jennifer’s inspirational book The Future of Food is Female is the industry’s first book to elevate women working in alternative protein and food technology. Featuring original interviews from industry titans, such as Heather Mills, Miyoko Schinner, and Pinky Cole. In 2020, Jennifer founded Vegan Women Summit (VWS), a global media and events platform focused on empowering women to build a kinder, more sustainable world. The VWS community reaches over 40,000 women professionals across six continents, including founders, investors, executives, and industry advocates.
Jennifer Stojkovic
Ibraheem Basir WG12 is the founder and CEO of A Dozen Cousins, a natural food brand that makes meals and side dishes inspired by traditional Creole, Caribbean and Latin American recipes. The brand is inspired by his childhood growing up in the culinary melting pot of Brooklyn and is named after his daughter and her 11 cousins. Prior to launching A Dozen Cousins, Ibraheem obtained his MBA from the Wharton School of Business and served as a Marketing Manager on a number of natural food brands including Larabar and Annie's Organic.
Ibraheem Basir WG12
Aaron Telch WG14 is co-founder of Jiant, a modern alcohol brand dedicated to delivering sustainable and delicious beyond-beer beverages. Jiant launched in 2019 and is now the largest independently-owned hard tea brand in California and is quickly building out a national footprint. Before starting Jiant, Aaron was former VP of Strategy at Factorymade Ventures, a venture studio creating companies around celebrity talent. Aaron started his career at Bank of America and Morgan Stanley as an investment banker and Viacom as a strategy manager. He holds an MBA with Honors from The Wharton School of Business and a magna cum laude BA in Economics from Brown University.
Jeff Henretig WG09
Jeff Henretig WG09 is the CEO of Pzaz, an innovative consumer brand reimagining refreshment and the way people consume caffeine. Jeff was previously the CEO at Apothecanna, an industry leading CBD skincare company. Jeff was previously the CFO at Lord Jones, a celebrity favorite, luxury CBD brand where he was responsible for growth strategy, planning, analytics, budgeting and corporate development. During his tenure as CFO, Jeff led due diligence efforts in selling the brand to Cronos Group in 2019 for a $300M exit (NASDAQ: CRON). He received his MBA in Entrepreneurship from the Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania and his BA in Psychology from Columbia University.
Aaron Telch WG14
Brands Sampling
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| Eat Happy Kitchen. No-sugar added, organically sourced premium pasta sauces and spice blends DTC and to retailers in 32 states. | POINTS! Chocolate Candies are a healthier alternative to M&Ms which are free of artificial dyes, low in sugar, high in fiber & diabetic friendly. | Wake up fresh with Easy Tomorrow’s mango jelly meant to help prevent your hangover! |
