# #271: Inside Scoop on Founders & Formulators Speed Dating

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2026-10-20
- Length: 42m
- Episode: 388
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-10-20-271-inside-scoop-on-founders-formulators-speed-dating
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/c489155e

## Summary

Megan Castellon of Syren Spreads and Andrew Kuzera of Ono, alongside food scientist Andrew Firestone of Firestone Consulting Group, discuss Startup CPG’s Founders & Formulators event. The guests detail how the speed-dating format helped Syren Spreads identify oxidation risks in their Skinglow spread and prompted a packaging shift to foil sachets, while Ono’s Kuzera used the event to learn the technical vocabulary for fixing astringency in his protein soda. Firestone explains how the event allows independent formulators to generate leads and broker relationships with co-manufacturers and ingredient suppliers like PureCaf and FlavorSum.

## Outline

1. Introduction: Founders & Formulators Event Overview
2. Megan Castellon: Syren Spreads and Skinglow Product Validation
3. Andrew Kuzera: Ono Protein Soda and Formulation Challenges
4. Andrew Firestone: Independent Formulator Perspective and Lead Generation
5. Event Mechanics: 70 Brands, 25 Formulators, and Auction-Style Matching
6. Technical Feedback: Oxidation, Packaging, and Astringency
7. Supplier Introductions and Co-Manufacturer Brokerage
8. Advice for Brands: Preparation, Evaluation, and Follow-up

## Topics

- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Syren Spreads (company)
- Skinglow (product)
- Ono (company)
- Firestone Consulting Group (company)
- FlavorSum (company)
- Marine Biologics (company)
- SeaTex (product)
- TreeHouse Foods (company)
- Comet (company)
- Just Egg (company)
- Nootopia (company)

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- [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)
- [Advice Line with Chieh Huang of Boxed](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-04-16-advice-line-with-chieh-huang-of-boxed) (How I Built This)
- [290 - Taylor Foxman is the master connector for CPG's!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-09-26-290-taylor-foxman-is-the-master-connector-for-cpgs) (People of Packaging)
- [345 - Beyond the Dieline - The secret success behind Junebar! Tom Seymour and Keith McCullough](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-04-17-345-beyond-the-dieline-the-secret-success-behind-junebar-tom-seymour-and-keith-m) (People of Packaging)

## Citing this page

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