# We're launching Founders & Formulators - Here's Why

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2026-06-18
- Length: 23m
- Episode: 325
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-06-18-were-launching-founders-formulators-heres-why
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/0762bdf0

## Summary

Daniel Scharff and Adam Yee discuss the launch of Startup CPG's 'Founders & Formulators' event in Chicago and the accompanying Product Developer Directory. Yee explains how formulators evaluate products through 'vibes' and technical inquiry, emphasizing the need for clear deliverables to avoid scope disputes. They highlight the directory as a tool for vetting consultants based on specialty, fee structure, and past work.

## Outline

1. Introduction to Founders & Formulators Event
2. The Role of Formulators and Product Evaluation
3. Using the Startup CPG Product Developer Directory
4. Vetting Formulators: Deliverables and Fees
5. Closing Remarks and Community Invitation

## Topics

- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Startup CPG (company)
- Founders & Formulators (product)
- R&D Radio (product)
- Institute of Food Technologists (company)
- KEHE (company)
- Palmer House Hilton (other)
- Rachel Zemser (other)
- Umayworks (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Advice Line: What’s Your Value?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-03-19-advice-line-whats-your-value) (How I Built This)
- [030: Launching a product with $500 and no industry knowledge, Josh Smith of Libertine Fragrance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-12-06-030-launching-a-product-with-500-and-no-industry-knowledge-josh-smith-of-liberti) (Product Startup)
- [Advice Line with Eric Ryan of Method returns](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-04-23-advice-line-with-eric-ryan-of-method-returns) (How I Built This)
- [Advice Line with Andrew Abraham of Orgain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-05-16-advice-line-with-andrew-abraham-of-orgain) (How I Built This)
- [#364: Building a Partnership with your Regulatory Consultant](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2024-04-30-364-building-a-partnership-with-your-regulatory-consultant) (Global Medical Device Podcast)

## 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/2026-06-18-were-launching-founders-formulators-heres-why. 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.