# Building Strategic Partnerships with Mondelēz International's SnackFutures

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2021-11-10
- Length: 27m
- Episode: 5
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-11-10-building-strategic-partnerships-with-mondelez-internationals-snackfutures
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/d72556a0

## Summary

Brigette Wolfe, Global Head of SnackFutures, and Jackie Haney, Innovation and CoLab Program Manager at Mondelēz International, explain the structure and philosophy of the CoLab program, a startup engagement initiative designed to support early-stage well-being brands. They discuss how SnackFutures, Mondelēz's innovation and venture hub, leverages its resources to help startups prepare for potential acquisition by building strong business fundamentals, clear positioning, and robust IP. The guests highlight specific pain points faced by founders, such as packaging issues during production runs, and detail how CoLab provides tailored mentorship, subject matter experts, and a peer community to solve these challenges. They outline the application criteria for the 2022 cohort, including the $500,000 annual sales threshold and the 12-week curriculum structure.

## Chapters

- [0:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-11-10-building-strategic-partnerships-with-mondelez-internationals-snackfutures#t=3) Introduction: Bridget Wolfe and Jackie Haney on SnackFutures and CoLab
- [2:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-11-10-building-strategic-partnerships-with-mondelez-internationals-snackfutures#t=175) The History and Pillars of SnackFutures: Innovation and Venture
- [5:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-11-10-building-strategic-partnerships-with-mondelez-internationals-snackfutures#t=340) Preparing for Acquisition: Building Fundamentals and IP
- [8:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-11-10-building-strategic-partnerships-with-mondelez-internationals-snackfutures#t=495) Common Startup Mistakes: Clarity, Intentions, and Elevator Pitches
- [12:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-11-10-building-strategic-partnerships-with-mondelez-internationals-snackfutures#t=767) Benefits of CoLab: Customized Support and Expert Access
- [15:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-11-10-building-strategic-partnerships-with-mondelez-internationals-snackfutures#t=943) Designing CoLab: Learning from Other Accelerators and Founders
- [17:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-11-10-building-strategic-partnerships-with-mondelez-internationals-snackfutures#t=1061) Case Study: Solving Packaging Problems and Building Community
- [20:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-11-10-building-strategic-partnerships-with-mondelez-internationals-snackfutures#t=1254) Program Structure: 12-Week Curriculum and Mentor Matching
- [23:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2021-11-10-building-strategic-partnerships-with-mondelez-internationals-snackfutures#t=1397) 2022 Cohort Requirements and Application Process

## Topics

- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Mondelēz International (company)
- SnackFutures (company)
- CoLab (product)
- Oreos (product)
- Ritz (product)
- Cadbury (product)
- Dirt Kitchen Snacks (product)
- Capal (product)
- Nokwait (product)
- Sour Patch Kids (product)
- Trident (product)
- State of Snacking (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Perfect Snacks: Bill and Leigh Keith](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-06-09-perfect-snacks-bill-and-leigh-keith) (How I Built This)
- [345 - Beyond the Dieline - The secret success behind Junebar! Tom Seymour and Keith McCullough](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-04-17-345-beyond-the-dieline-the-secret-success-behind-junebar-tom-seymour-and-keith-m) (People of Packaging)
- [350 - Beyond the Dieline - Dr Juan from PNuff Crunch joins Tom Seymour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-05-27-350-beyond-the-dieline-dr-juan-from-pnuff-crunch-joins-tom-seymour) (People of Packaging)
- [MadeGood: Salma and Nima Fotovat Lost Their First Business. They Grew Their Next One Into a Snack Giant.](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-08-10-madegood-salma-and-nima-fotovat-lost-their-first-business-they-grew-their-next-o) (How I Built This)
- [Advice Line with Ben Goodwin of Olipop](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-09-03-advice-line-with-ben-goodwin-of-olipop) (How I Built This)

## Citing this page

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