Hardware Podcasts

#257 Co-Man Due Diligence 101 with Riot Energy and Kelley Drye & Warren LLP

The Startup CPG Podcast · 14 Jul 2026 · 50m · Episode 341

What this episode covers

Laura Jakobsen, founder of Riot Energy, and Daniella Carelli, Special Counsel at Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, discuss the critical importance of co-manufacturer due diligence and contract negotiation for CPG brands. They emphasize that a 'partnership approach' and transparent reporting on attainment, inventory, and yield loss are more valuable than low per-unit pricing. The conversation covers protecting trade secrets through fragmented ingredient sourcing, conducting effective facility walkthroughs, and the strategic advantage of brands drafting their own baseline contracts rather than redlining manufacturer templates.

Most relevant to

companies scaling up

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Riot Energy, Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, Whole Foods, Costco, Chobani
Also
SQF, BRC

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