# Founder Feature: Alan Scholnick of Datefix

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2026-01-09
- Length: 26m
- Episode: 241
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-01-09-founder-feature-alan-scholnick-of-datefix
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/7135e88c

## Summary

Alan Scholnick, founder of Datefix, explains how he transformed the date into a shelf-stable, portable energy gel to compete with artificial sports nutrition products. He details the product's low-glycemic benefits, its appeal to athletes and the Type 1 diabetes community, and the brand's strategy of using humor and transparency to educate consumers on real food versus synthetic gels. Scholnick also discusses Datefix's retail expansion into major chains like Walmart and Whole Foods and its move to Miami Beach.

## Outline

1. Introduction: Alan Scholnick and the Datefix Concept
2. Scholnick's Background in Aviation and Real Estate
3. Product Innovation: Fresh Fruit in a Gel Form Factor
4. Nutritional Science: Low-Glycemic Benefits and Fiber
5. Community Impact: Type 1 Diabetes and Athletic Performance
6. Retail Growth and Brand Positioning
7. Marketing Strategy: Humor, Transparency, and Education

## Topics

- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Datefix (product)
- Walmart (company)
- Whole Foods (company)
- Starbucks (company)
- Nike (company)
- Lululemon (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [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)
- [Advice Line with Gary Erickson of Clif Bar](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-05-09-advice-line-with-gary-erickson-of-clif-bar) (How I Built This)
- [168 - John Shin makes taking your vitamins FUN and sustainable!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-11-22-168-john-shin-makes-taking-your-vitamins-fun-and-sustainable) (People of Packaging)
- [How I Built Resilience: Kara Goldin of Hint](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-04-01-how-i-built-resilience-kara-goldin-of-hint) (How I Built This)
- [354 - Beyond the dieline with the incomparable Jake Karls from Mid-Day Squares](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-07-22-354-beyond-the-dieline-with-the-incomparable-jake-karls-from-mid-day-squares) (People of Packaging)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-01-09-founder-feature-alan-scholnick-of-datefix. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Startup CPG Podcast.