# Founder Feature: Damiano Messineo of Loopini

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2025-05-09
- Length: 34m
- Episode: 147
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-05-09-founder-feature-damiano-messineo-of-loopini
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/27bb7863

## Summary

Damiano Messineo, founder of Loopini, explains how he created a premium, protein-packed frozen pizza using lupini beans, San Marzano tomatoes, and mozzarella from the Montelatari region, all produced in Naples. He details the supply chain challenges of importing frozen goods from Italy, including the high cost of air freight versus the cash flow strain of 40-day sea shipping cycles. Messineo also discusses his strategy of testing product placement in New York City retail stores and leveraging the Startup CPG community for early validation and packaging support.

## Outline

1. Introduction: Damiano Messineo and the Loopini Concept
2. The Lupini Bean and Ingredient Sourcing
3. Pizza History and the Tomato Connection
4. Fancy Foods Test and Production Launch
5. Retail Strategy and Product Placement Testing
6. Frozen Technology and Flash Freezing
7. Supply Chain Challenges and Cash Flow
8. Community Support and Future Growth

## Topics

- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Loopini (product)
- San Marzano (material)
- Mazzara del Vallo (other)
- Sprouts Farmers Market (company)
- Whole Foods (company)
- Startup CPG (company)
- Axley (company)
- Resist Bar (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [214 - Alex Cree on how he met Mark Cuban and innovated a new food product](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2023-09-20-214-alex-cree-on-how-he-met-mark-cuban-and-innovated-a-new-food-product) (People of Packaging)
- [A Behind-the-Scenes Look into Pizza Manufacturing with Nick Fallucca of Palermo’s Pizza](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-03-16-a-behind-the-scenes-look-into-pizza-manufacturing-with-nick-fallucca-of-palermos) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [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)
- [What It Really Takes To Build a Food Business: Part 1](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-10-18-what-it-really-takes-to-build-a-food-business-part-1) (How I Built This)
- [HIBT Lab! Yolélé: Pierre Thiam](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-08-25-hibt-lab-yolele-pierre-thiam) (How I Built This)

## Citing this page

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