Naturally Rising: The Conscious Business Pitch Competition

Welcome to Naturally Colorado’s 21st Annual Pitch Slam, now called Naturally Rising “The Conscious Business Pitch Competition”! Come cheer on your favorite brands as they compete for a generous prize package and title of Pitch Competition winner. Sample the latest and greatest new innovative products from the local community.

Schedule —
4:30 pm: Doors open
4:30 – 7:00 pm: Networking, buffet dinner by Footers Catering, cash bar, explore exhibitors in Innovation Showcase
6:45 pm: Program begins
8:30 pm: Program ends
8:30 – 9:00 pm: Celebrate our winners!
9:00 pm: Event Ends

Pitch Competition —
Five entrepreneurs (who will be announced shortly) will pitch their young companies to a panel of experts as hundreds of audience members join us from across the country. Each competitor has 3 minutes to pitch, 3 minutes of Q&A from the judges and the same goal: to win a free booth at New Hope’s Newtopia Now 2026, a guaranteed opportunity to pitch at the Naturally Network National Pitch Slam, and a robust suite of business services from our sponsor community!

• Emily Philpott — Dry Storage
• Kelly Perkins — Old Salt
• Neha Awasthi — Mungfu
• Stacey Hughes — Get Zingy
• Taelor O’Dorisio — Tea with Tae

Pitch Coaches —
These experienced pitch coaches bring deep expertise across CPG, retail, investment, and ecosystem-building to help finalists sharpen their storytelling, clarify their business fundamentals, and show up with confidence on stage. Through hands-on guidance and real-world insight, they support founders in refining their pitch, strengthening their strategy, and preparing for what’s next. Together, they embody the collaborative, purpose-driven spirit at the heart of Naturally Rising.

Ben Bacon, Founder, Lentiful
Cameron Mannen, Graphic Designer
Jack Davis, Fund Operations & IR Manager
Katie Eshuys, President, That’s It Fruit
Darcy Landis, Principal Forager, Whole Foods Market (Rocky Mountain Region)
Dan Lohman, Founder, Bulletproof Your CPG Brand
Mark Madic, Director of Ecosystem Development & Partnerships, Startup Colorado
John Simmons, President, Berri Organics

Pitch Judges —
These distinguished judges bring deep expertise across retail, regenerative agriculture, brand leadership, finance, and community-building within the natural products industry. Drawing from decades of experience scaling mission-driven businesses and supporting entrepreneurs, they will evaluate this year’s finalists with both strategic insight and a commitment to conscious growth. Through thoughtful questions and real-world perspective, they’ll help identify the ventures best positioned to lead with purpose and drive meaningful impact. Together, they reflect the collaborative, values-driven spirit at the heart of Naturally Rising.

Collin Cargnel, Natural Grocers
Elizabeth Candelario, Mad Agriculture
Jane Miller, Rudi’s Rocky Mountain Bakery
Nim Patel, Colorado Enterprise Fund
Ted Ning, Forums for Naturals

Innovation Showcase —
This part of the event also provides brands and industry partners the opportunity to share new products and services in the Innovation Showcase, our tabletop show. The Innovation Showcase floor will be filled with opportunities for guests to sample and purchase products and learn about interesting new innovations.

Confirmed companies participating in the showcase:

• Azomalli Tea
• Balcony Botanicals
• BAR-U-EAT
• Cambridge Commodities US
• Daddy’s Homemade Syrup
• EcoEnclose
• Fizzy Moo
• Full Good Fulfillment & Logistics Agency
• Grabellas
• Green Belly Foods
• Ka’Chava
• Los Rios Farm
• Lupita’s Hot Sauce
• Morning Lover
• Noco Chocolates
• Pick’d Minis
  
• RKYMTN Drinks
• Sauero
• SEND Bars
• Syll Botanics
• Tad’s Dad’s Chili
• Todd’s Power Oats
• Wangi Wellness
• Zeus Bakery

Sponsorship Opportunities —
If you’re interested in sponsoring the event, please check out the sponsorship opportunities we have available by emailing kristine@naturallycolorado.org!

If you would like to contribute to the prize package that the winner receives, please take a look at the options to sponsor here.

A note on ticket prices:
As a non-profit organization, we rely on the revenue from our signature events to help support us throughout the year so that we can continue to produce educational events and programming, such as the mentorship matching program. We appreciate your support of our continued efforts to support our members in the natural and organic products community. If purchasing a ticket would cause financial hardship, please email info@naturallycolorado.org to discuss volunteer opportunities in exchange for entry to the event.

If your company is a Silver level or higher partner of Naturally Colorado, please check your inbox for your complimentary ticket information. Please email Taylor Dewitt, Naturally Colorado Community Engagement Manager, at taylor@naturallycolorado.org if you have any questions.

Ticket schedule:
Early Registration through March 3rd
$75 for Members
$100 for Non-Members

Regular Registration March 4th – March 31st
$85 for Members
$110 for Non-Members

Late Registration April 1st – April 21st
$105 for Members
$130 for Non-Members

Event Day Registration on April 22nd
$145 for All

Volunteers:
If you would like to volunteer at the event in return for a free ticket, please complete this form and share your information and availability here.

Parking—
100 parking spaces are available directly in front of venue. We recommend arriving early if you’d like to secure one of these spots. Otherwise, there will be overflow parking at Arvada High School (2 blocks from the venue).