Taste Radio

Ignite20 isnt just cutting checks. The new $7 million venture capital fund and hybrid accelerator is lighting a fire under the next wave of CPG innovators.

Launched in February 2025, Ignite20 was born out of the Redwood Ventures Group and is also backed by early-stage VC firm Santatera Capital and food distributor RPM Food. Over the next three years, the fund will invest in 60 early-stage startups across the health, beauty, food, beverage, and pet care industries targeting 20 promising brands per year.

Each selected company will receive a $50,000 capital investment, along with hands-on support from a network of operators, investors, and retail buyers. Through tactical mentorship, operational strategy, and founder-focused development, the program is designed to help brands grow sustainably and strategically.

In this episode, we sit down with Gabriela Morales, Ignite20s co-founder and managing director, who shares how the fund is rethinking early-stage investing, the reason why margins matter more than price point, how categories like functional snacks and high-protein foods are redefining innovation, and the value of a 30-second video pitch.

Show notes:

0:25: Interview: Gabriela Morales, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Ignite20 On location at Expo West 2025, Gabriela shares her first impressions of the industrys biggest stage and her journey from nutritionist and wellness entrepreneur to trailblazing venture investor. She also opens up about what fuels her investment philosophy, including her admiration for founders with true fire in the belly. Gabriela also dives into the traits she looks for in early stage brands, categories she views as poised for breakout growth, and her take on buzzy trends like better-for-you soda, adaptogens, and non-nutritive sweeteners. Plus, Gabriela unpacks why sustainable growth and velocity not just profitability are the metrics that really matter in todays CPG market.

Brands in this episode: Hiyo, Little Sesame, Wildwonder, Mezcla

Is 2025 the year of the acquisition? The hosts highlight two more headline-grabbing deals announced over the past week: Hershey’s $750M purchase of BFY snack maker LesserEvil and the sale of watermelon water brand Mela to King Juice. We also speak with Jesse Bongiovi, who alongside rockstar father Jon Bon Jovi, co-founded Hampton Water Wine, a rosé brand that’s taken the industry by storm.

Show notes:

0:45: In Memoriam. NY → Texas. New With Nom. Congrats CC. Ray, The Fresh Cartoon. Sober Informed. Bert & Ernie. – Mike opens the episode with a tribute to the late Jack Craven. The hosts hype Taste Radio’s upcoming meetups in NYC and Austin and Melissa spotlights valuable content featured in recent episodes of the Nombase Podcast. They also discuss the acquisitions of LesserEvil and Mela, and how both brands resonate with modern consumers. Everyone shares their lesser known nicknames and riffs on the term “sober informed,” before Ray is compared to a Sesame Street character. Ray reveals a brand’s innovative way to smuggle soda into movie theaters (it’s not what you think). Melissa and Jacqui highlight coconut water, protein- and honey-based bars as well as “salad sprinkles.”

33:15: Interview: Jesse Bongiovi, Co-Founder, Hampton Water Wine – Jesse joined us for a conversation amidst the tropical buzz of the Nassau Paradise Island Wine & Food Festival, which was held last month in The Bahamas. Jesse, who co-founded the award-winning rosé wine brand with his father and rock icon Jon Bon Jovi, talks about how a focus on accessibility without pretension is at the core of Hampton Water’s success and how he’s built a premium French rosé brand by staying scrappy, authentic and grounded.

Brands in this episode: Fishwife, Petit Pot, Pistakio, Ithaca Hummus, Happy Wolf, Mela, LesserEvil, ISH, Evolution Fresh, Coaqua, Superfoodio, Bon Bee, Payday, MOSH, Salad Sprinkles, Painterland Sisters, Chutni Punch, Hampton Water Wine

The latest episode of Elevator Talk features leaders from E3 Energy Cubes, The Flavorsmith, Terranean, Sphere Snacks and Masala Gossip.

Watch founders and CEOs introduce their brands and provide a recap of recent news and updates. This week’s special co-host is Elisa Croft, the co-founder of First Friday CPG, who shared her thoughts, questions and feedback with the participants. She is joined by Ray Latif, the editor and producer of the Taste Radio podcast.

Founders and CEOs of early stage food or beverage brands are invited to join future shows to pitch their products, discuss recent news and get feedback from industry experts. It is free to participate and interviews are conducted remotely. Apply to participate in a future episode of Elevator Talk.

Even after 15 years and a majority sale – reportedly valued at over $650 million – of the company he founded, Bill Creelman remains convinced that Spindrift is just at the beginning of a “real” revolution.

Since launching Spindrift in 2010, Bill has built the brand into a powerhouse, generating nearly $300 million in annual retail sales, according to Nielsen IQ. Spindrift is known for its sparkling water made with real fruit juice and purees, with no added sugars or added flavors. The brand has expanded its portfolio to include hard seltzers and, more recently, a mid-calorie soda line that harkens back to Spindrift’s original mission of delivering authentic, high-quality beverages.

Earlier this year, private equity firm Gryphon Investors acquired a majority stake in Spindrift. As part of this transition, veteran CPG executive Dave Burwick stepped in as CEO, while Bill now serves as chairman of the board. Together, Bill and Dave are leading Spindrift into its next chapter, one focused on real ingredients and sustainable growth.

For Bill, the future is full of endless possibilities. As he shared in our conversation, “The most surprising part is realizing just how much further we can go.”

In this episode, Bill and Dave dive into the importance of staying true to a vision, executing it with patience, and creating a brand that resonates with today’s conscious consumers. They explore how ambition, when guided by intentionality, leads to real, sustainable growth. Bill and Dave also discuss why Spindrift’s innovation strategy is grounded in the belief that the world is ready for beverages that prioritize quality, transparency, and authenticity.

Show notes:

0:25: Interview: Bill Creelman, Founder & Dave Burwick, CEO, Spindrift – Bill and Dave reflect on Spindrift’s journey since its inception in 2010, starting with refrigerated sodas in iconic longneck glass bottles, and how the brand is now revisiting its origins with a new line of canned sodas. They discuss Spindrift’s premium positioning and its ability to maintain a higher price point in an increasingly crowded market, emphasizing why consumers are willing to pay more for a product that delivers authenticity and exceptional quality. The founders attribute the brand’s ability to uphold its integrity and solidify its market position to its unwavering commitment to real ingredients and flavor innovation. They also explore the concept of "refreshment" in the beverage space, discussing untapped potential within Spindrift’s core business and the vital role of strategic partnerships, like Gryphon, in fueling the brand’s sustained growth. Reflecting on the company’s progress, Bill acknowledges the challenges they've faced, emphasizing the importance of staying true to their vision during difficult times and remaining focused on long-term success.

Brands in this episode: Spindrift, Olipop, Poppi, Truly

When Walmart calls, you answer. When the retail giant offers you shelf space in 2,700 of its stores, you say “yes.” But turning that opportunity into success? That’s where the real challenge begins. Alan Scholnick, the founder of Datefix, a date-based nutrition snack brand, talks about how its two-year development from nascent idea to Walmart shelves has shaped the company’s path forward.

Show notes:

0:45: Tax Day/TR Meetup. $100 In Your Pocket. Fonzie’s Shark. Not Your Father’s Ice Cream. Easy-ish Rice & Beans. – We’re 11 days away from Taste Radio’s NYC Meetup – you should join us. Oh, and BevNET Live Summer 2025 is right around the corner; there’s money to be saved. Ray samples an unusual minty drink and hates on April Fool’s Day CPG pranks. John shares his two cents on Groupon, before Mike shares the origins of a sharky saying. Jacqui highlights “breast milk ice cream” (yes, that’s how it’s described) and a line of easy to prepare rice mixes inspired by Latin cuisine. Mike talks about a U.K.-based tea brand and a hotpot “queen” before Ray makes a stunning admission.

28:51: Interview: Alan Scholnick, Founder & CEO, Datefix – On location at Expo West 2025, Alan shares the story behind Datefix, which draws from his Lebanese mother-in-law’s culinary traditions and seamlessly blends his passion for fitness and nourishing, flavorful food. He highlights the brand’s recent rebrand, which focuses on elevating the product’s simple yet premium ingredients, while positioning Datefix for exciting co-branding collaborations in the future. Alan elaborates on the versatility of Datefix, noting its ability to fit into multiple daypart occasions, and discusses how the product’s portability and long shelf life make it a challenge to define a single primary positioning. He also expresses gratitude for the overwhelming support from the community, reflecting on the brand’s journey since Expo West 2023.

Brands in this episode: Datefix, GNGR Labs, Olipop, Mentos, Frida Ice Cream, Fancypants, Loisa, A Dozen Cousins, Little Sesame, Vista Hermosa, Cornish Tea, Hotpot Queen, MiLa