# Founder Feature: Cam Mathias of Huntaway

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2024-08-16
- Length: 34m
- Episode: 68
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2024-08-16-founder-feature-cam-mathias-of-huntaway
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/f869da62

## Summary

Cam Mathias, founder of Huntaway, explains how he pivoted from 30 years in the meat industry to launch a wild venison dog food brand in New Zealand during the 2020 lockdown. He details the product development process, including the use of novel protein for allergic dogs and the transition from compostable to single-resin packaging to ensure actual recyclability. Mathias also discusses scaling challenges, such as switching contract manufacturers due to a PE-owned cold storage facility exiting the business, and optimizing logistics by shipping raw material to Texas for cube-forming and freeze-drying to maximize container efficiency.

## Outline

1. Introduction: Cam Mathias and Huntaway's Origin Story
2. Sourcing Wild Venison and Novel Protein Benefits
3. Product Development: Recipes, Smell, and Palatability
4. Scaling Production and Contract Manufacturer Challenges
5. Logistics, Packaging, and Sustainability Decisions
6. Customer Acquisition, Marketing, and Founder Advice

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Packaging design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/packaging-design)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Huntaway (product)
- Aldi (company)
- Trader Joe's (company)
- Costco (company)
- Chewy (company)
- Amazon (company)
- Tractor Supply (company)
- Petco (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [215 - Jason Burke on his Noble and Primal journey to disrupt a broken food system](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-09-26-215-jason-burke-on-his-noble-and-primal-journey-to-disrupt-a-broken-food-system) (People of Packaging)
- [Advice Line with Pete Maldonado and Rashid Ali of Chomps](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-02-19-advice-line-with-pete-maldonado-and-rashid-ali-of-chomps) (How I Built This)
- [299 - EarthKind is a truly sustainable company from the farm, doing no harm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-12-30-299-earthkind-is-a-truly-sustainable-company-from-the-farm-doing-no-harm) (People of Packaging)
- [360 - Beyond the Die Line - The pitch was awful. They liked the bar! Tom Seymour and Ree Dolnick](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-10-08-360-beyond-the-die-line-the-pitch-was-awful-they-liked-the-bar-tom-seymour-and-r) (People of Packaging)
- [Freshpet: Scott Morris](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-10-09-freshpet-scott-morris) (How I Built This)

## Citing this page

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