#271: Inside Scoop on Founders & Formulators Speed Dating

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Daniel Scharff sits down with Megan Castellon of Syren Spreads, Andrew Kuzera of Ono, and food scientist Andrew Firestone of Firestone Consulting Group to give an inside look at Startup CPG’s first-ever Founders & Formulators event, where brands could get unlimited product feedback and find their ideal formulator match.

Megan is Co-Founder and CEO of Syren Spreads, makers of Skinglow, a chocolate hazelnut spread built around Tremella and a blend of botanicals. Andrew Kuzera is the founder of Ono, a better-for-you protein soda with 12 grams of protein per can. Andrew Firestone is a food scientist with a background at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, TreeHouse Foods, and Comet, where he worked on upcycled fiber technology. He launched Firestone Consulting Group to give smaller founders flexible access to food science expertise.

The group walks through how the event worked, from 70 brand pitches at the mic to formulators raising paddles auction-style, and what each guest got out of it: honest taste and texture feedback, new packaging and shelf life insights, a new food science vocabulary, supplier and co-manufacturer introductions, and in one case a brand-new formulator partnership. They also share practical tips on filtering feedback, choosing the right formulator, and preparing for a future event.

Listen in as they discuss:

Why Daniel created Founders & Formulators after watching brands spend years on products that weren’t ready for retailHow the event worked, from 70 brand pitches at the mic to formulators raising paddles for the briefs they could help withWhy food scientists give the honest taste and texture feedback that friends, family, and strangers won’tHow feedback on oxidation and light exposure has Syren Spreads considering a lighter botanical load and foil sachet packagingHow Andrew Kuzera went from self-formulating with AI tools to finding the language for what was off in his protein sodaWhy supplier certificates of analysis for the “same” ingredient can differ, and how sourcing affects cost of goodsHow formulators broker co-manufacturer and supplier relationships, not just recipesWhat independent formulators get out of the event, from leads to meeting clients face to faceHow to evaluate feedback from multiple formulators: check their past projects, trust the vibe, and go with your gutHow to prepare: review the formulator list, reach out on LinkedIn ahead of time, bring samples and a certifi