Naturally Rising Pitch Competition & Innovation Forum

Naturally Chicago’s biggest annual gathering — the Naturally Rising Pitch Event and Innovation Forum — returns on Wednesday, May 27.

The Pitch — the event’s centerpiece — will feature six competitively selected founders of rising-star natural products companies, who will vie for shares of a prize package of business-building services with a total value of nearly $200,000!

PITCH APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN

Key Pitch Competition Applicant Criteria

• Business must be under $2 million in sales.

• Applications must include a 1-minute video pitch.

• Applications are due by March 20 end of day

• Applicants must be a Naturally Chicago Brand Partner and be headquartered or manufacture within 150 miles of Chicago

APPLY TO PITCH NOW 

The first-place winner will compete in the national Naturally Network’s Naturally Rising event against the pitch champions from the network’s other 10 chapters.

And that’s not all. Attendees will gain insights from industry experts on panels about retail, omnichannel and CPG investment. Deb Conklin, CEO of industry giant KeHE, is our Fireside Chat guest. And 20 or more emerging brands will share their stories and products at the event’s Innovation Showcase.

Get the Application Form

$2,500

Be a Sponsor

  • 4 event tickets

  • Logo on website and ticket registration

  • plus prominently at event

$5,000

Be a Sponsor

  • 8 event tickets

  • Logo on website and ticket registration plus prominently at event

  • Opportunity to have your signage at event

$10,000

Be a Sponsor

  • Presenting sponsor

  • 10 event tickets

  • Logo on website

  • Logo on website and ticket registration plus prominently at event

  • Opportunity to have table at event

  • Opportunity to have your signage at event


SCHEDULE

12:00 - 12:50 pm: Registration and Innovation Showcase

1:00 - 1:10 pm: Welcome Amanda Puck, Emcee

1:10 - 1:35 pm: Panel: Succeeding at Omnichannel

1:45 - 2:15 pm: Panel: Chicago — A Natural Products Retail Hotbed

2:15 - 2:45 pm: Panel: Investors in CPG

2:45 - 3:15 pm: Break, Visit Innovation Showcase

3:15 - 4:15 pm: Pitch Slam

4:15 - 4:45 pm: Fireside Chat featuring Deb Conklin

4:45 - 4:55 pm: Pitch Slam Winners Announced

4:55 - 5:00 pm: Closing remarks

5:00- 6:30 pm: Innovation Showcase and Fabulous Cocktails Reception

Fireside Chat

Chicago: A Natural Products Retail Hotbed Panel

Succeeding at Omnichannel Panel

Investors in CPG Panel

Pitch Slam Judges

Prizes With a Final Value of More Than $100,000 Will Await the Winners

  • Prize Donor: Amin Wasserman Gurnani

    Total Prize Value: $2,500

    The 1st place winner will receive an FDA labeling/packaging compliance review followed by a call of up to 30 minutes to discuss questions and risk assessment for the winner’s top-selling product.

  • Prize Donor: Fairfield Partners

    Total Prize Value: $12,500

    1st place winner will receive a New Hire Consulting Package from Fairfield Partners, a nationally recognized executive search firm specializing in the natural products industry.

    You'll get time with two of our Partners to discuss real-world hiring topics, such as how to make your first key hires count, what’s happening in the talent market, and what competitive compensation looks like from Manager to VP and beyond.

    $10,000 Toward a Future Search. When you’re ready to hire a senior leader, you’ll have a $10,000 credit for a retained search with us.

  • Prize Donor: KeHE

    Total Prize Value: $5,000

    A brand assessment and strategy session with KeHE Distributors, the largest distributor of natural & organic, specialty and fresh products throughout North America. The session will take place with KeHE’s Category Management leaders who will support the brand in developing their launch plan and distribution go-to-market strategy. The 1st & 2nd place finishers will receive a brand assessment and strategy session valued at $2500.

  • Prize Donor: Polsinelli

    Total Prize Value: $6,000

    Legal services from this premier full-service national law firm with expertise representing Food, Beverage and Consumer Product brands and investors.

    The 1st and 2nd place winners will each receive services valued at $3,000.

  • Prize Donor: Presence Marketing

    Total Prize Value: $15,000

    Presence will offer two 1-month Market Ready packages valued at $7,500 per so a total of $15,000. (Each package is eight sessions spread over one month). We do have some “fine print” though – from experience, we need to include some category stipulations. Examples: alcohol and N/A categories are not our business, so we need to exclude them. We can only offer the prize in categories we play in.

  • Prize Donor: SIKICH

    Total Prize Value: $10,000

    1st place & 2nd place: Accounting experts will review your accounting and finance operations with you over a 1-hour session and answer any questions you may have and provide recommendations. Plus: The Sikich CPG Accounting Playbook — a practical, founder-friendly guide packed with best practices to streamline your books, improve margins, and stay investor‑ready. (prize must be redeemed within 1 year of the date offered)

     

    -AND-

    1st place Only: Accounting or Financial Advisory Services valued at $5,000 from Sikich, a leading natural products accounting, finance and technology consulting firm (prize must be redeemed within 1 year of the date offered)

BECOME A SPONSOR

Connect With Your Community

Mingle with fellow Natural Products professionals and place your company in the heart of our vibrant community.

Spotlight on You

All eyes are on our premier event of the year.

Stand out with prime placement in our event buzz, including newsletters, social media, and spirited event signage.

Be in Good Company

Be recognized alongside other reputable partner companies who are committed to supporting innovation, entrepreneurs, and the natural products community.

Cheers to New (and Existing) Connections

Rub elbows with industry legends, meet ambitious entrepreneurs early in their journey to the top, and reconnect with all your besties from the industry.

Your Way, Your Budget, Your Kind of Party

Sponsorship opportunities at levels — $2,500, $5,000, $10,000 — to suit your style and budget.

EVENT SPONSORS