NIQ Founders Pitch Slam -

Welcome to the World Series of pitch competitions

Applications will reopen in early 2026.

Welcome to the 2026 NIQ Founders Pitch Slam

This year, we’re taking our signature competition to the next level. NIQ is proud to collaborate with RangeMe to bring the Pitch Slam experience to an even broader and more diverse pool of emerging brands. For the first time, the NIQ Founders Pitch Slam application is seamlessly integrated directly into RangeMe’s award‑winning retail discovery platform—making it easier than ever for founders to apply, be discovered, and get one step closer to pitching in front of leading brands, retailers, and CPG executives.

Join us as we spotlight the most innovative products, celebrate entrepreneurial excellence, and help the next generation of brands break through.

Applications open February 10th, 2026.

What is the NIQ Founders Pitch Slam?

Our fourth annual NIQ Founders Pitch Slam will bring together some of the most innovative and transformative emerging CPG brands, challenging an elite set of founders to pitch their companies to industry insiders and business leaders as they vie for a first-place award of more than $800k including a $50,000 cash prize and in-kind prizes. This competition represents our commitment to helping grow emerging brands and fostering connections.

This unique competition gives brands access to NIQ data experts to help tell their stories through the lens of best-in-class data and analytics. They’ll make valuable connections and networking opportunities, and the finalists will enjoy an all-expenses paid trip to San Antonio, Texas to present their pitch to a live audience of industry experts at NIQ’s C360 conference.

Rules

Founders Pitch Slam Prize Package:

The First-place winner will receive over $750k in prizes including*:

$50,000 cash prize
NIQ in-kind services, which may include:
- Access to Byzzer™ including premium retailers
- Access to Omnisales and Omni Shopper data
- Access to Advanced Analytics
- Access to BASES Innovation Package
Consumer Life ‘ Know your Target’ Reports Package
MRI-Simmons Customized Category Report
CROSSMARK sales, analytical, and schematic support including:
- No retainer fee for support in agreed upon channel
- New item presentation for top 5 retailers, including category sales and shopper behavior
- Best in Class national selling story
- Channel planograms
1-year subscription to the RangeMe Pro Service from RangeMe

The top 4 will all receive:

1-year subscription to Byzzer™
1-year subscription to the RangeMe Premium Service from RangeMe

The top 20 will all receive:

$3300 credit for NIQ Brandbank digital imagery services (up to 20 items)
Complimentary consultation with CROSSMARK

* All prizes must be used within one calendar year of the conclusion of the competition. Subscriptions will be activated in July 2026

“The NIQ Pitch Slam at Consumer 360 was a magical experience. I met some incredible people and other entrepreneurs while opening my eyes to the world of NIQ consumer data. The exposure and recognition our young brand received simply by being there is invaluable. The NIQ team is top-notch and genuinely passionate about what they do. These people and overall experience are something I’ll always remember; they truly changed the trajectory of our launch. If you get the chance, I’d highly recommend “taking a swing” at the World Series of Pitch Slams. Thanks again, NIQ!”
Jeff Moreau Jr., Founder Lemongrass Farms, 2023 NIQ Founders Pitch Slam Finalist

How It Works

The NIQ Founders Pitch Slam consists of three stages in which applicants pitch to a series of judges until only five finalists remain. Contestants will be evaluated based on: Brand story/mission, product innovation, financial/growth potential, alignment to consumer needs and trends, and their live pitch.

Brands that meet the entry requirements will be reviewed by a panel of NIQ judges who will select the top 20 semi-finalists to participate in the Virtual Pitch portion of the NIQ Founders Pitch Slam. Only the most innovative brands will move on.

20 Semifinalists will be invited to an exclusive webinar on creating the perfect pitch and assigned a data expert to help them develop their story using Byzzer™ data. The brands will then participate in a Virtual Pitch in front of a judging panel – a 5-minute pitch with 3 minutes Q&A per brand , and 5 Finalists will be selected. The top 20 will all receive a $3300 credit for NIQ Brandbank services as well as a complimentary consultation with CROSSMARK.

5 Finalists will be flown to NIQ’s C360 Conference to participate in the live pitch portion of the NIQ Founders Pitch Slam event in front of industry experts and brand leaders. The winner will be awarded the grand prize, 4 runners up will receive NIQ in-kind prizes.

Program Requirements

The NIQ Founders Pitch Slam was built around helping the most innovative emerging brands supercharge their growth with the power of NIQ data and insights. The pitch slam winner and top finalists will be the most innovative brands on the market with the most significant potential for growth based on NIQ data, and on-trend for consumers.

Eligibility criteria include:

Total US$ annual sales shall not exceed $20 million across one or more of these qualifying departments (as validated by NIQ OmniSales or other NIQ databases) – Alcoholic Beverages, Baby Care, Bakery, Beverages, Bulk Bin, Dairy, Deli, Floral, Frozen, Gen Merch, Grocery, Beauty, Household, Meat, Pet, Produce, Seafood & Nutritional Supplements
Products must currently be available for U.S. sale
You must be available to participate in the Virtual Pitch semi-finals on May 6, 2026
You must be available to attend the C360 conference June 8-11 in San Antonio, TX for the Live Pitch session
Participate in event marketing/promotion

Welcome to the World Series of pitch competitions

Applications will reopen in early 2026.