Mini Episode: Founders and Funders Roadshow

Mini Episode: Founders and Funders Roadshow

Author: Startup CPG March 12, 2026 Duration: 11:46

In this mini episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Daniel Scharff breaks down everything you need to know about the Founders & Funders Roadshow — a brand new series of accessible, city-based fundraising events coming to four cities in 2026. After the massive success of the December Founders & Funders event in New York City, Startup CPG is bringing the same energy and caliber of investors directly to founders across the country.


Daniel walks through exactly how the events work — from filling out your one-pager to getting matched for 10-minute 1:1 meetings with active VCs — and makes a strong case for why getting your ticket early is essential. He also shares the impressive VC lineups already confirmed for Los Angeles and New York, and gives practical tips for how to show up prepared and make the most of your time.


Whether you're actively fundraising or just starting to build relationships with investors, this episode will help you decide if the Roadshow is right for you — and how to get the most out of it.


Listen in as Daniel covers:


  • What the Founders & Funders Roadshow is and how it differs from the flagship December event
  • How the one-pager and 1:1 meeting matching process works — and why you can't wait until the last minute
  • The VC lineups confirmed for Los Angeles (April 27) and New York City (May 12)
  • What to expect at the event: 1:1 meetings, panels, and open networking
  • How to approach early VC conversations even if you're not actively raising
  • Tips for making the most of your 10-minute meeting
  • Upcoming cities: Austin (June 9) and San Francisco (August 17)



Episode Links:


🎟 Founders & Funders Roadshow — Los Angeles, April 27: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/founders-funders-roadshow-los-angeles-tickets-1982555454734?aff=oddtdtcreator


🎟 Founders & Funders Roadshow — New York City, May 12: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/founders-funders-roadshow-nyc-tickets-1983269882607


🎟 Founders & Funders Roadshow — Austin, June 9: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/founders-funders-roadshow-austin-tickets-1983637326642


🎟 Founders & Funders Roadshow — San Francisco, August 17: Coming soon


Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.


Show Links:


  • Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)
  • Join the Startup CPG Slack community (35K+ members and growing!)
  • Follow @startupcpg
  • Visit host Daniel's Linkedin 
  • Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.com
  • Episode music by Super Fantastics


Behind every product on a store shelf, there's a story of risk, innovation, and relentless hustle. The Startup CPG Podcast, brought to you by the community at Startup CPG, digs into those stories where theory meets the messy reality of building a brand. You'll hear founders recount the pivotal moments that nearly broke their company and the breakthroughs that saved it, moving beyond polished success tales. Conversations often turn to the buyer's perspective, offering a rare look at what actually gets a product onto retail floors. The focus is relentlessly practical, dissecting supply chain snags, packaging dilemmas, and marketing strategies that cut through the noise. This podcast operates like a field manual for the trenches of consumer packaged goods, built on the belief that shared knowledge is the best advantage. Tune in for candid exchanges that feel more like a mastermind session than a broadcast, all aimed at demystifying the path to shelf space and sustainable growth.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Startup CPG Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Founder Feature: Hannah Pollack of Nightingale Ice Cream [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:01
In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Caitlin Bricker sits down with Hannah Pollack, founder and CEO of Nightingale Ice Cream Sandwiches—a high-quality ice cream novelty brand celebrating its 10th anniversary.…
Investor Spotlight: Denise Lambertson, Constellation Capital [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:37
In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Hannah Dittman sits down with Denise Lambertson, founder and Managing Partner at Constellation Capital — a boutique follow-in venture fund investing in consumable CPG and…
Founder Feature: Gabriella Labi and Tonya Reznikovich of Gato Dates [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:32
In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Caitlin Bricker sits down with Gabriella Labi and Tonya Reznikovich, co-founders of Gato Dates—dark chocolate covered, nut butter stuffed Medjool dates in four decadent fl…
R&D Radio: Brian Chau from Chau Time [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:17
In this episode of R&D Radio, hosted by Adam Yee, Adam sits down with Brian Chau, founder of Chau Time — an R&D operations consulting firm lowering the barrier to entry in the food industry. With a team of 12 spanning ev…
#242 - KeHE Grocery Run Recap [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:42
In this special episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Daniel Scharff sits down with the three winning brands from Startup CPG's biggest-ever Grocery Run event — held the night before the KeHE Summer Show in Denver. Ki…
Investor Spotlight: Josh Resnick, OpenSky Ventures [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:43
In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Hannah Dittman sits down with Josh Resnick, co-founder and General Partner at OpenSky Ventures—an early-stage consumer venture firm investing in food, beverage, health, we…
Founder Feature: Edouardo Jordan of The Food with Roots [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:26
In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Caitlin Bricker sits down with Edouardo Jordan, founder of Food with Roots—an ethnic food brand based in Seattle, Washington, celebrating Black food ways through products…
Investor Spotlight: Mollye Santulli, Springdale Ventures [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:18
In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Hannah Dittman sits down with Mollye Santulli, Principal at Springdale Ventures—an early-stage consumer venture firm investing in food, beverage, beauty, pet, personal car…