(PRESS RELEASE) AUSTIN, TX — SKU, the nation’s premier CPG accelerator, will mark the finale of its Spring ’25 Track with a live Showcase event in Austin on Tuesday, May 20, from 4:30–8:30 PM at Robert B. Rowling Hall at the University of Texas McCombs School of Business. RSVP here to attend the event – one of the industry’s premiere pitch events.
SKU alum Sean Riley, co-founder and Chief Executive DUDE of DUDE Wipes, will deliver the keynote speech. DUDE Wipes has grown from a scrappy startup into a nationally recognized personal care brand with sales of more than $250 million a year by positioning itself as the cheeky alternative to traditional bathroom products.
This track includes the award-winning frozen-pizza brand pi00a, the first Deaf and CODA-owned brand to participate in SKU, bringing a powerful and underrepresented perspective to the CPG space. Their participation in SKU reflects the accelerator’s commitment to championing diverse founders and amplifying voices that have traditionally been overlooked in the industry.
The SKU Showcase offers founders a chance to pitch their brands to an audience of CPG leaders from across the country, highlighting the insights and growth gained during the intensive 12-week program.
Throughout the track, founders engage in weekly sessions led by industry veterans, diving into core topics such as channel strategy, branding, packaging, regulatory compliance, operations, and fundraising — all essential for building a successful CPG business.
While SKU’s curriculum is top-tier, it’s the mentors who truly set the program apart.
This exceptional group includes senior leaders from companies like Whole Foods, PepsiCo, and Mars, as well as seasoned investors, subject-matter experts, and successful founders. What unites them is a shared passion for guiding high-growth, early-stage brands — helping founders scale their businesses and ultimately reach a meaningful exit.
Since SKU was founded in 2011, more than 150 brands have participated. SKU’s track record includes such successful brands as EPIC Provisions, wildwonder, Daily Crunch and Seaweed Bath Co.. Among the most notable is Siete, a pioneer in better-for-you Mexican-American cuisine, which was acquired earlier this year by PepsiCo for $1.2 billion.
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The eight Spring ‘25 Track brands are:
- Fairly Nuts: Founded by Julie Wolf, Fairly Nuts is a woman-owned trail mix company that offers a carnival of delicious in house roasted mixes all packaged sustainably.
- good dirt: Founded by Lynn Callaway, good dirt is the first prebiotic soda crafted with fungi and fiber to support gut health, mental clarity, and everyday balance- free of stevia or sugar alcohols.
- Kobi: Founded by Siôn Owen, Kobi makes better body care products for kids, designed specifically for the more sensitive skin that young people have. Kobi is currently focused on offering kid-friendly deodorant, with plans to bring its safer-for-kids ethos to other personal care categories in the future.
- Niramaya: Founded by Mehek Khera, Niramaya is an Indian-American Snack food brand that brings healthy, grain free snacks with bold flavors that everyone can enjoy at any time of the day. They have a line of 3 versatile dips and 4 flavors of Naan Pretzels.
- PetPax Co.: Founded by Anthony Gatti and Nathan Ruff-Williams, PetPax Co. is reinventing pet wellness with SupplaMelts—super fast-absorbing supplements that melt in your dog’s cheek. No pills. No powders. No pressure! Just science-backed care for everyday issues like anxiety and bad breath. Simple to give, fast to act, easy to love! Minimal Effort. Maximum tail wags.
- pi00a: Founded by Melody Stein, Russ Stein, Rylan Stein, and Taysia Stein, pi00ais a Deaf and CODA family-owned business that specializes in handcrafted frozen Globally-Inspired Neapolitan pizzas. At the core of their brand is their mission to create job opportunities for the Deaf community.
- Rookie’s: Founded by Jordan Nickerson’s and Holly Nickerson, Rookiesseeks to create “memorable dessert experiences” through its handcrafted ice cream and cookie sandwiches.
- Saint Rocco’s Treats: Founded by brothers Kaleb Rush and Kolby Rush, Saint Rocco’s Treats makes human-grade dog treats, meal toppers and food.
SKU is currently recruiting brands and mentors for the Fall ‘25 Track, which runs September through November. The track will be virtual, with in-person events at the launch and conclusion of the program. Brands can be from a wide range of categories, including food and beverage, apparel, and beauty.
Ideal candidates are market-validated brands with compelling founders and innovative products in hot categories. Interested brands can apply here. The application deadline is Nov. 19. Those interested in mentoring can fill out the Mentor Interest Form to schedule an interview.
SKU has an impressive track record and includes such brands as, EPIC Provisions, A Pup Above, wildwonder, Daily Crunch and DUDE Wipes. One of SKU’s superstars is Siete Foods, which is being acquired by PepsiCo for $1.2 billion.
About SKU
SKU was founded in 2011 by lawyer Shari Wynne Ressler and serial entrepreneur Clayton Christopher, founder of Sweet Leaf Tea and Deep Eddy Vodka, with the mission of accelerating CPGs. It has been a catalyst in establishing Austin as a CPG powerhouse. Since it was founded, more than 150 companies have completed the SKU program. SKU was named one of the nation’s top natural foods product accelerators by New Hope Media, which puts on Expo West and Expo East, the industry’s largest trade shows. A Forbes magazine column identified SKU as one of the country’s top three accelerators. Learn more at www.sku.is.
