About this Event
Hey Chicago: Startup CPG is hosting our first-ever Founders & Formulators event!
Join us for an afternoon of mingling and structured "speed-dating" with the top food scientists and product developers coming to town for IFT FIRST 2026. Connect, get live feedback on your products, and walk away with real ideas to refine and grow.
Light bites and refreshments are included with your ticket; please indicate any dietary restrictions in your ticket order confirmation form.
Heads up, as always, we'll have VIPs in attendance as well!
Featured Guests
- Adam Yee - Food Scientist @ UmaiWorks, Host of Startup CPG's R&D Radio
- Brian Chau - Principal Food Science Consultant @ Chau Time
- Jamie Valenti-Jordan - Founder & CEO @ Catapult Commercialization Services
- Jim Hastings - Food Scientist/Consultant @ First Production Food Innovation
- Rachel Zemser - Food Science Industry Consultant @ A La Carte Connections
- Ann Zissu - Scale Food Labs
- Travis Zissu - Scale Food Labs
- Valerie Daniello - R&D Consultant @ Flavor Crave Consulting
Please note: this event is open to founders, co-founders, and C-Suite equivalent employees of CPG brands, as well as formulators and product developers. No sales reps, brokers, or service providers are permitted.
Sponsors:
About Chicago Section IFT
The Chicago Section IFT (CSIFT) brings together food scientists, suppliers, manufacturers, and everyone in between — right in the heart of America's food industry. With over 800 members and a history dating back to 1941, CSIFT is the first, largest, and most active Section of the Institute of Food Technologists, powered by a volunteer team of Officers, Executive Committee members, and committee leads from across the Chicago area. Sign up here
About
FlavorSum helps growing North American food and beverage companies go to market quickly and cost-effectively. We provide flavor solutions for delivering great-tasting products that inspire loyalty among today’s consumers. With nearly 100k square feet of manufacturing space across North America, along with a dedicated innovation center, FlavorSum is the fastest growing North American flavor company.
Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Email [email protected]
About Startup CPG
Startup CPG is the biggest community in the world for emerging brands. We have 30k+ Slack members, produce the #1 podcast in CPG, host 100+ events per year, and are the #1 education hub for brands trying to improve our CPG ecosystem. It’s free — join today!
Instagram: @startupcpg
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
McCormick Place, 2301 South Doctor Martin Luther King Junior Drive, Chicago, United States
USD 27.50 to USD 37.24
