Education
Welcome to the World Series of pitch competitions
Applications open February 3, 2025
What is the NIQ Founders Pitch Slam?
Our third 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 $700k including a $50,000 cash prize and in-kind prizes. This competition represents our latest effort in 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 Hollywood, Florida to present their pitch to a live audience of industry experts at NIQ’s C360 conference.
Founders Pitch Slam Prize Package:
The First-place winner will receive over $700k in prizes including*:
- $50,000 cash prize
- NIQ in-kind services, which may include:
- Access to Byzzer™
- Access to Omnisales and Omni Shopper data
- Access to Advanced Analytics
- Access to BASES Innovation Package
- NIQ Consulting hours
- 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
The top 4 will all receive:
- 1-year subscription to Byzzer™
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 2025
“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 where applicants will 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.
Season Opener
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.
The Playoffs
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 $3300 credit for NIQ Brandbank services as well as a complimentary consultation with CROSSMARK.
World Series
5 Finalists will be flown to NIQ’s C360 Conference to participate in the live pitch portion of the NIQ Founders Pitch Slam event in front of industry experts and brand leaders. The winner will be awarded the grand prize, 4 runners up will receive NIQ in-kind prizes.
Program Requirements
The NIQ Founders Pitch Slam was built around helping the most innovative emerging brands supercharge their growth with the power of NIQ data and insights. The pitch slam winner and top finalists will be the most innovative brands on the market with the most significant potential for growth based on NIQ data, and on-trend for consumers.
Eligibility criteria include:
- Total US$ 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 1, 2025
- You must be available to attend the C360 conference June 2-5 in Hollywood Florida for the Live Pitch session
- Participate in event marketing/promotion
Thank you to our collaborating partners
Start the new year with a bang and get ready for the 3rd annual NIQ Founders Pitch Slam, with our upcoming webinar:
Crafting the Perfect Pitch: Top 10 Slides for Retail Success
Join Kelsey Michel, VP of Account Development for Emerging Brands at NIQ, and special guest Peetachai “Neil” Dejkraisak, Founder of Jasberry and winner of the 2024 NIQ Founders Pitch Slam for export guidance on building a successful pitch deck.
Date: Wednesday, February 5th
Time: 1:00 PM Eastern