May 14 | Farm Fresh Rhode Island

Our Third Annual Pitch Slam Competition

2026 Pitch Slam

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2026 Pitch Slam 〰️

Where bold ideas meet real opportunity.

Big ideas. Big energy. One stage.

Join us for the highly anticipated Naturally New England Pitch Slam! Where emerging brands take the spotlight and pitch live in front of industry leaders, buyers, and a packed room of curious minds.

Expect bold ideas, quick thinking, and the kind of electric energy you can only get when something real is on the line. You’ll discover what’s next in CPG before it hits the shelf and be part of the momentum as it happens.

Grab a seat, bring your team, and get ready to cheer, connect, and maybe even find your next favorite brand.

This isn’t just a pitch event. It’s a show.

BUY TICKETS NOW

Meet Our Finalists

Kamaal Jarrett

Hillside Harvest
Sarah-Marie Cole

Sleet Pops
Drew Kinkade

Green Bee Honeypop
Daniel Spira

Adlai Pearl
Rodrigo Vargas

American Vinegar Works

These five founders were selected from a competitive pool of applicants to pitch live at Naturally Rising New England.

They’ll take the stage to share their brand stories, their innovative ideas, and their vision for the future.

All for a chance to win our $40,000+ prize package, including $5,000 in cash and a spot at the national Naturally Rising competition in Colorado (August 2026).

2026 Event Schedule

4:00 pm

Doors open – brand showcase begins, networking, light bites

5:00 pm

Main event kicks off – welcome and introductions

5:30 pm

Pitch #1: To Be Announced

5:40 pm

Pitch #2: To Be Announced

5:50 pm

Pitch #3: To Be Announced

6:00 pm

Pitch #4: To Be Announced

6:10 pm

Pitch #5: To Be Announced

6:30 pm

Dinner is served, judges deliberate, showcase reopens

7:30 pm

Winners announced (brief regathering)

7:45 - 9:00 pm

Showcase, networking, dinner & drinks continue

8:30 pm

Last call for dinner

8:50 pm

Last call for drinks

9:00 pm

Event wraps

Meet Our Judges

Kathy Sullivan

JOH Brokerage

SVP at JOH, a leading food brokerage firm
Extensive experience supporting brands in retail expansion and sales growth
Deep relationships across retail and a strong track record of bringing emerging brands to market

LinkedIn
Greg Martin

Hughes BrandMix
Chief Creative Officer with 40+ years in CPG branding and packaging
Expert in brand positioning and helping products stand out on shelf
Brings a sharp creative lens on storytelling, design, and what drives consumer connection

LinkedIn
Jason Corriveau

Roche Bros. Supermarkets
Director of Center Store at Roche Bros. with 30+ years in retail
Experienced in leading high-performing teams and driving strong merchandising strategies
Passionate about people, products, and enhancing both customer experience and business results

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Nick McCoy

Whipstitch Capital
Co-Founder & Managing Director of Whipstitch Capital, a consumer-focused investment bank
Advises CPG brands on M&A, capital raises, and strategic transactions across food, beverage, and wellness
Deep expertise in positioning brands, connecting with the right investors, and executing high-impact deals

LinkedIn
Jeremy Isenberg

President - Chex Finer Foods
President of Chex Finer Foods, a leading specialty food distributor founded by his family
Has led 20x company growth, expanding distribution across the U.S. and international markets
Deep expertise in building brands, categories, and long-term retail partnerships

linkedin
Michael Sands

The Maker Group
CPG executive, innovator, and investor with 35+ years of experience across global brands and markets
Former CEO of YumEarth, Balance Bar Nutrition, and Smile Compostable Solutions
Former CMO at Ben & Jerry’s and senior leader at Snapple; has helped generate $2B+ in enterprise value

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Meet The Mentors

John Maggiore

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Brent Sisco

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Scott Sanders

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Jean Lizotte

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Barry Wilfand

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Each of our five finalists has been paired with an experienced mentor.

They will work closely with the brands to help refine their pitch, strengthen their story, and show up with confidence on event night.

Their insights and support are a key part of what makes Naturally Rising such a powerful experience.

Meet our emcee

Wendi Nix

A seasoned sports broadcaster and former ESPN anchor, Wendi brings years of on-air experience, sharp storytelling, and dynamic energy to the stage—making her the perfect host for an unforgettable evening.

Brand Showcase

Explore products, make connections, and get inspired by our great lineup of brands showcasing at the event.

Plus, Ray Latif from BevNET Taste Radio will be onsite, interviewing showcasing founders and capturing the energy of the night.

This event is a celebration of the entire New England CPG community, bringing together founders, makers, and industry leaders from across the region and beyond.

Whether you’re local to Providence or traveling in from out of state, we’ve made getting here as smooth as possible.

Venue: Farm Fresh RI
Address: 10 Sims Ave unit 103, Providence, RI 02909

Parking: Approximately 50 parking spaces are available onsite at 10 Sims Ave. Additional free parking is available next door at 496 Kinsley Ave., Providence, RI 02909. Both lots are reserved for our event. Limited street parking is also available.

Getting There:

Commuter Rail & Amtrak: The nearest rail stop is a 30-minute walk or an 8-minute Uber ride from the venue.
Flying In: Several attendees are flying into Providence, Rhode Island (PVD) — just a 15–20 minute Uber ride to Farm Fresh Rhode Island and the nearby Hilton hotel.
Driving In: If you’re driving from out of state, we encourage carpooling to make travel easier, more sustainable, and more fun. There is plenty of FREE parking. Both street parking and the Farm Fesh parking lot will be available to our attendees.

Where to Stay:

The Hilton’s lobby bar will be the site of our unofficial after-hours gathering, making it a central hub for later evening connections and conversations.

Recommended Hotel: Hilton Providence 21 Atwells Ave, Providence, RI 02903