Earlier this year, SKU, a well-known accelerator for consumer packaged goods startups, launched a new program called M/O to help boost more minority-owned companies.
The program, a partnership with Naturally Austin, was called M/O to reflect that its cohorts would be minority-owned, and to declare that the CPG industry needs a new modus operandi to diversify the sector.
It recently announced its first cohort, which will undergo an eight-week program starting June 3. Here's a quick look at the companies.
• Hangio, which makes flexible hangers, founded by Ayodele Aigbe
• Jeany's Ginger Elixer, a Caribbean-inspired food and beverage company based on family recipes from Grenada, founded by Naijean Bernard
• Luv Fats Ice Cream, which make small batch ice cream made with an avocado and coconut cream base, founded by Chi Ndika
• Homescape Pets, which makes all-natural cat and dog supplements, founded by Nana Pfeifer
• WAJU, which makes sparkling waters made from fruit, founded by Chris Oates
• Algo Dulce, a handmade flan startup, founded by Jesse Mondregon
• Ujamaa, a lightbulb maker, founded by Rob Jackson
• Funky Mello, which makes gourmet marshmallows, founded by Delisa Harper and Zach Harper
• Naturally Noah's, makers of plant-based Vietnamese noodles, founded by Jimmy Tay Trinh
• Babka ATX, which makes gourmet babka, founded by Sariel Brummer
Meanwhile, on May 18 SKU held a virtual pitch event for the organization's CPG cohort. That included seven startups: Agua Bonita, American Provenance, BeeFree, Green Girl Bakeshop, Macro Snacks, Shaz & Kiks and Waka Coffee.
