(PRESS RELEASE) AUSTIN, TX — SKU, the nation’s first and leading accelerator for consumer-packaged goods (CPGs), is accepting applications for the highly anticipated Fall ‘25 Track. This immersive 12-week program is designed for market-validated brands with passionate founders and innovative products in fast-growing categories with the potential to scale to the next level.
SKU welcomes brands from a diverse range of industries, including food, beverage, pet care, personal care, apparel, and health & wellness. While the program is based in Austin, SKU’s hybrid format allows brands and mentors from across the country to participate. The application deadline is May 31 to apply. Founders can apply here.
The Fall ‘25 Track kicks off in Aug. 26 and culminates with an electrifying Showcase Pitch event on Nov. 19 in Austin, where brands present to hundreds of CPG investors, retailers, and industry leaders.
SKU’s curriculum is a game-changer for emerging CPG brands, providing founders with a comprehensive, real-world playbook for scaling success. Designed by industry veterans and tailored to the unique challenges of consumer brands, the program covers everything from brand positioning and retail strategy to supply chain management, eCommerce growth, and fundraising.
What truly sets SKU apart is its unrivaled mentor network—a C-suite dream team of top CPG executives, successful founders, and investment leaders. Each brand is paired with a hand-selected mentor team, offering expertise in every facet of the industry. SKU’s 700-plus mentors include founders from such game-changing brands as Vital Farms and Seventh Generation.
Mentors gain the unique opportunity to collaborate with rising brands and industry peers while giving back to the next wave of game-changing founders. Interested mentors can apply here.
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“SKU has a long history of propelling emerging brands to new heights,” says Buff Greebe, Executive Director of SKU. “Our program surrounds founders with top-tier mentors, a world-class curriculum, and the essential funding connections needed to accelerate growth and scale successfully.”
More than 150 brands having completed the program, including such success stories as EPIC Provisions, wildwonder, Daily Crunch and DUDE Wipes.
PepsiCo plans to acquire SKU alum Sietefor $1.2 billion – one of the year’s largest CPG deals. When Siete joined SKU’s fourth cohort, it was called Must B Nutty and its grain-free tortillas were sold at an Austin food cooperative.
Founded in 2011 by attorney Shari Wynne Ressler and serial entrepreneur Clayton Christopher (Sweet Leaf Tea, Deep Eddy Vodka), SKU has played a pivotal role in making Austin a CPG powerhouse. Named one of the top CPG accelerators by Forbes, SKU has built a national reputation for excellence, helping consumer brands accelerate growth, secure funding, and disrupt their categories.
Learn more at www.sku.is.
