Tips from trailblazing brands, strategies to captivate venture capitalists, the explosive growth of the RTD coffee category and much more. This packed episode features highlights from Taste Radio's Chicago meetup and an in-depth look at Nutrabolt's $200 million investment in Bloom Nutrition. The hosts also dive into the next wave of coffee innovation and examine whether energy or indulgence is driving consumer demand.

Show notes:

0:25: DO Buy? Ninety Seconds. 'Bolt & Bloom. A Tost. Coffee Talk. No Pistachio? – The hosts revisit Taste Radio's Chicago meetup and preview upcoming events in San Diego and San Francisco, reminding listeners how easy it is to register. The conversation turns to Nutrabolt's increased investment in Bloom Nutrition and how smaller, fast-growing brands are leveraging relationships with "mini-strategics" rather than selling to giants like PepsiCo or Coca-Cola. They also spotlight non-alcoholic sparkling wine alternative Tost and its recent funding round, before discussing the evolving RTD coffee market and the challenges of standing out in a highly customizable and saturated category. John and Mike highlight Oat Haus' "Dubai Chocolate" granola butter and Jacqui praises Narra's ube vanilla oat milk latte.

27:53: Interviews from Taste Radio's Chicago Meetup – We kick things off with Chomps co-founder and CEO Rashid Ali, who reveals how a $6,500 investment grew into a meat snack empire through smart e-commerce and a customer-first mindset. He's followed by Ingredion's Adams Berzins, who explores the future of sugar reduction and Mollye Santilli of Springdale Ventures, who talks about the investment firm's emphasis on funding culturally resonant, community-driven brands. Brian Rosen of InvestBev detailed his $500M fund's strategic approach to scaling beverage companies, and Hoste Cocktails' Jordan Tepper shared how his premium cocktail brand pivoted during the pandemic. We wrap with SoRSE's Michael Flemings, who explains how brands can navigate the complex cannabis beverage space with a commitment to safety and education.

Brands in this episode: Chomps, Hoste Cocktails, C4, Bloom Nutrition, Alani Nu, Celsius, Peet's Coffee, Stumptown Coffee, Intelligentsia, Tost, Laurel's Coffee, Wandering Bear, Chamberlain Coffee, Nguyen Coffee Supply, Rise Brewing Co., Starbucks, Throne Sport Coffee, Happy Coffee, RIP Cold Brew, Beekeeper Coffee, Projo, OatHaus, Narra, Funkytown Brewing, Goodles, Vitaminwater, Bai, Poppi, Begyle Brewing, Spiteful Brewing, Lucky Energy, Apologue, JuneShine, Siempre Tequila, Cann, Nomadica