The two natural food companies from Boulder, Olomomo Nut Company (who just finished a rebrand last week from its previous name: Spice Boulder) and The Organic Dish, took home first and second place respectively in the Bard Center for Entrepreneurship Eighth Annual Business Plan Competition.
I attended the event, and after seeing the presentations of the six finalists (actually, I missed the first - Also Energy), there was no question in my mind that these two would take home first and second. Why?
The other presentations were stiff, unenthusiastic, and filled with corporate and overly technical wording, presented by boring and complicated slides with typically useless business diagrams. Despite that harsh criticism, I do not mean to trivialize the hard work of the other competitors, many of whom had challenging ideas to present. Clearly they had put in lots of time and effort (this was the third round of the competition), but in the end - pitching a company or an idea is more art, personality, and sales than it is technical details.
Both Justin Perkins from Olomomo and Toby Hemmerling from The Organic Dish were personable and passionate in the spotlight, moving around comfortably in front of the podium (the others stood stiffly behind it, often “reading” the pitch, rather than giving it).
The Organic Dish (who provides and delivers healthy, natural, pre-prepared dinners that you can finish at home in 10-25 minutes) in particular did a fantastic job of telling a story - they’ve solved the problem of “What’s for Dinner?”. Beckie cooked one of their meals from start to finish during the short presentation - clearly demonstrating the convenience of their great, and needed product. Many in the audience later commented on the enticingly distracting aromas that had filled the room by the end of the pitch.
Toby and Beckie also had the easiest ask: just $35,000 for a small marketing budget (to expand into Denver) and a new display freezer to replace their old, broken one.
The most interesting thing about the results of the competition is that Olomomo was unquestionably the least interesting and sexy idea. It’s just selling nuts. A successful business is all about filling a need, and Justin did a great job of painting that picture - clearly spelling out his roadmap to becoming the premier natural nut brand in the country.
Congratulations to Olomomo and The Organic Dish (who won $10,000 and $5,000 respectively, as well as tens of thousands in free consulting and professional services). Score one for Boulder food companies!
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Thank you Ryan! It was great seeing you there, especially knowing how you support the local (food) companies!
We were stoked to be standing up there with Justin as the last two companies waiting for the results. Unfortunately, we heard our name before his! Fortunately, we both won big and can cash those checks and start receiving some of the in-kind consulting!