Naturally Rising Pitch Event and Innovation Forum — 5/27/26 Live Event
Laura Gardner, founder/CEO of Local Style Chips, was a finalist in Naturally Chicago’s 2025 Naturally Rising Pitch Event and Innovation Forum. Photo by Bob Benenson
Naturally Chicago’s biggest annual gathering — the Naturally Rising Pitch Event and Innovation Forum — returns on Wednesday, May 27. The event will be held, as in 2025, at beautiful Venue SIX10 in Chicago’s South Loop
The Pitch is the event’s centerpiece and it 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 more than $100,000!
Applications to pitch are open and must be received by Friday, March 20 at 11:59 p.m. central.
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 there’s much more for everyone.
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 will chat with Naturally Chicago Senior Strategist Greg Keller.
20 or more emerging brands, selected from among Pitch applicants who did not make the finals, will share stories and products at the Innovation Showcase.
Visit our Pitch Slam 2026 page for more information, including all the panelists and the donated prizes that await the winners of the Pitch Event.