Congratulations to the six rising-star founders/companies that have been selected as finalists for the Pitch Slam at the Naturally Rising Pitch Event and Innovation Forum, which takes place on Wednesday, May 27, noon to 6:30 p.m., at Venue SIX10, 610 S. Michigan Ave. in Chicago’s South Loop.

They are (in alphabetical order):

Michael Anagnos, Yaya’s Skordalia
Anna Baskin, High Tea Holding/Hightail
Matteo Caloia, (P)Rind
Leslie Danford, Vitaminis
Gabe Huertas del Pino, Archway Pet
Jack Joseph, RMBR Kombucha

Learn more about them below. Naturally Chicago thanks all of the other great founders who applied to pitch — you’ll see many of them tabling and sharing samples of their products on May 27 at our Innovation Showcase.

BUY TICKETS FOR THE PITCH EVENT

MICHAEL ANAGNOS — YAYA’S SKORDALIA

Michael launched Milwaukee-based Yaya’s as a farmers market vendor in 2022 and moved into wholesale in 2023. From Yaya’s website:

Greek families have been eating skordalia for generations, and when I started to make it for my own family I put a modern twist on it to highlight the fresh, bold flavors of simple real food ingredients. The result is a skordalia, which I also call Greek Almond Dip*, that is sure to become a staple in your fridge.

ANNA BASKIN — HIGH TEA HOLDING/HIGHTAIL

Anna is a fast-rising star, having co-founded Hightail, based in suburban Chicago, just this year. From Hightail’s website

We all need a reset button. Here’s yours. Hightail is how you treat yourself — better. With 1.5mg THC and 3mg CBG for a gentle boost, clean ingredients, and indulgent flavors, every sip feels like a small win. No hangovers. No guilt. Just that lighthearted lift that helps you feel like you again.

MATTEO CALOIA - (P)RIND

Matteo is the entrepreneur prodigy of our 2026 Pitch Slam finalist class. He started producing (P)Rind’s delicious snack pops made from parmesan rinds in 2024 — and is just graduating from University of Chicago and its Booth School of Business this spring. From (P)Rind’s website:

The Power of (P)Rind: 4x the protein of eggs… 2.3x the protein of beef… 49.8% protein density… naturally lactose free due to the 16-month aging process… shaped into something you actually love.

LESLIE DANFORD — VITAMINIS

After a professional career in the investment, beverage and hospitality spaces, Leslie in 2021 entered the CPG entrepreneur world with Vitaminis — her clean-label, fruit-based nutritional support drink shots. From Vitaminis’ website:

I created Vitaminis when I needed something simple and easy to give my family during busy seasons of life. I didn’t want pills. I didn’t want sugary gummies. I wanted real nutritional support in a format my kids would actually drink. Today, Vitaminis offers shelf-stable mini drinks made with real fruit and no added sugar — designed for real life.

GABE HUERTAS DEL PINO — ARCHWAY PET

Co-founded by Gabe in 2022, Archway Pet makes healthy dog and cat food and treats with silver carp, an invasive fish species threatening the ecological balance of our region’s waterways. From Archway’s website:

Better for the planet and best for your pet. Archway food and treats are packed with hypoallergenic proteins for food-sensitive pets. We are committed to creating healthy, nutrient-rich products that don’t compromise the health of pets or planet.

JACK JOSEPH — RMBR KOMBUCHA

A 2019 graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in supply chain managment/entrepreneurship, Jack co-founded RMBR in 2023 as “a sparkling functional tea that even kombucha haters love!” From RMBR’s website:

RMBR is a sparkling adaptogenic tea that skips the vinegar and actually tastes good. No weird aftertaste, no sugar bombs. Just bold botanical blends that hit every time. Whether you’re winding down or going out, we’re the drink you’ll actually want to remember.

Meet Our 2026 Pitch Slam Finalists!!