Category: Food + Beverage
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Meet UC Berkeley alum Rhonda Nassar, Co-Founder of Celia Chocolatier
Tell us about your company: Celia’s guiding principle is to create clean, premium, and natural chocolates — with a focus on both taste and ingredient integrity.Our chocolates are made with single-origin cacao beans from Ecuador (specifically Ecuadorian Nacional cacao), prized for naturally fruity and floral flavor notes.We avoid common “fillers” and additives. Our bars are…
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Meet USC alumni Winston Alfieri, Co-Founder Sauz
Tell us about your company: Sauz is a pasta sauce brand that offers unique and bold flavors designed to stand out from the traditional options available in the market. What inspired you to start your business? I’ve always had a passion for food, and my co-founder, Troy Bonde, and I saw an opportunity in the…
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Meet Northwestern alum Mara Smith, Founder Inspiro Tequila
Tell us about your company: Inspiro Tequila is a clean, additive-free tequila brand that is crafted with discerning female consumers in mind. We not only offer impeccable, meticulously crafted tequilas, but we are also providing more female perspectives to the spirits industry by being distilled, owned and led by women. What inspired you to start…
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Meet USC alum Jodie Mannis, Founder of Good Vibes Cookie
Tell us about your company: My name is Jodi and I am the mastermind & confectionary heARTist behind all the magic of Good Vibes Cookie Co. We have created an elevated magical experience that shows food can sparkle with heARTistic flair & still be delicious. Good Vibes Cookie Co was created to elevate the gift…
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Meet Northwestern alum Erica Bethe Levin, Founder Globowl
Tell us about your company: Globowl is an internationally inspired baby and toddler food company introducing babies to big flavors, safe textures and common allergens when they are starting solids to help prevent picky eating and texture aversions, while mitigating the likelihood of future food allergies. Our pediatrician-approved, chef-curated meals give kids the chance to…
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Meet USC alum Noah Nazarian, Co-Founder of Bahamii
Tell us about your company: Bahamii’s Date & Almond Bars use 7 or less superfood ingredients – with dates as the #1 ingredient – resulting in a fresh and soft texture that doesn’t get stuck in your teeth and is naturally sweet with no added sugar and no preservatives. What inspired you to start your…
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Meet USC alumni Shelby Sims, Co-Founder Quincy
Tell us about your company: Quincy offers the ideal ratio of olives to premium, from-the-barrel brine, makes the perfect dirty martini for every occasion. With zero waste. What inspired you to start your business? As martini enthusiasts, my Co-Founder Halli Sigel and I noticed the lack of an easy, sustainable option for making premium-quality dirty…
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Meet Northwestern alum Tathyane Vosgerau, Co-Founder Gifted Breads
Tell us about your company: Gifted Breads is a women-owned artisan bakery based in Chicago. What began in a local food incubator has grown into a company with products now available nationwide. From the start, our goal has been to create bread that delivers the same joy and experience as traditional bread—without sacrificing taste or…
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Meet UC Irvine alum Willy Kwak, Founder Krack’d Snacks
Tell us about your company: Krack’d Snacks is a clean-label snack company reinventing candy bars with real taste and texture, under 1g sugar, and no compromise. What inspired you to start your business? After nine years on keto, I was still craving sweets that actually satisfied. Every “better-for-you” snack fell short, so I started making…
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Meet Michigan State alum Mike Trupiano, Founder The Feel Bar
Tell us about your company: We make protein bars with functional benefits! What inspired you to start your business? Not having purpose and fulfillment in big CPG. What are your proudest achievements so far? Over 1 million bars sold! What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs: Never ever give up, the stars will align…
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