Naturally Rising 2026
Formerly called Pitch Slam, Naturally Rising is Naturally Network’s premier pitch competition for conscious CPG brands. Every year, brands from across the ecosystem apply for the chance to compete in their home chapter’s regional competition, with finalists from each chapter moving on to compete in the final national round. Each regional finalist from across 11 Naturally chapters will take the stage at this year’s Newtopia Now in Denver, CO, showcasing purpose-driven businesses built for retail success and grounded in the 5 Ps: Passion, Purpose, People, Planet, and Prosperity.
You can add on the pitch competition directly to your agenda when you register for Newtopia Now. Register here!
Meet the Regional Winners 🏆
Naturally Austin
Winner: Tozi Foods
Naturally Colorado
Grand Champion: Dry Storage
Emerging Impact: Old Salt
People’s Choice: Mungfu
Naturally Seattle
Winner: Bluebird Grain Farms
People’s Choice: Future of Cool
Naturally New England
Winner: American Vinegar Works
Audience Choice: Hillside Harvest
Naturally NorCal
Grand Prize: Pezzy Pets
Second Place: KIMPOPS
Don Buder People’s Choice: Mama Teav’s
Emerging Impact: Pezzy Pets
Naturally Minnesota
First place: Farmented
Second place: Hoyo Sambusa
Third Place: Bluehorn Tea
Audience Choice: Bluehorn Tea
MN Dept of Ag Ready to Grow: Lovejoy’s
Naturally New York
Grand Prize: NADAS Empanadas
Audience Choice: Figa Foods
Naturally San Diego
Grand Prize: FAVE
Runner Up: Flora Flora
People’s Choice: SUNMUD
Naturally Wisconsin
Winner: Teddy’s Tallow Chips
Emerging Impact: Alaska Fresh Seafood
Audience Choice: Tortilleria Zepeda
Naturally Chicago
Grand Prize: RMBR
Runner Up: Vitaminis
Meet all the Regional Finalists 🎉
Click through to learn more about each finalist!
The Naturally Rising Experience
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Apply to Pitch
Naturally Rising applications open November 2025 and any Naturally member brands under $2M are invited to apply. There is one application for ALL regional Naturally Chapters.
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Regional Finalist Process
Each chapter will select a cohort of finalists to compete at their chapter’s Naturally Rising pitch competition. Finalists will be assigned a mentor to prepare for competition day. What makes this competition different? All applicants will get access to retail readiness resources!
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Regional Competition
Each Naturally chapter will host an in-person competition locally where each regional finalist will present their four minute pitch, followed by a four minute Q&A from the judges. A regional winner will be chosen to represent their Naturally chapter at the national competition at Newtopia Now in Denver.
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National Competition
The Naturally Rising national pitch competition will feature retail ready, purpose-driven brands on stage as part of Newtopia Now. Each regional winner will receive a complimentary booth as a part of their regional winner package from New Hope Network and exhibit as part of the Naturally Rising finalist pavilion on the show floor.
** IMPORTANT: A Newtopia Now attendee badge is required to attend Naturally Rising this year. The event is a $50 add-on selected during registration. Your ticket includes an exclusive Naturally Rising t-shirt and a beer & wine reception inside the ballroom.
How to register for Naturally Rising at Newtopia Now:
On the Newtopia Now website, click “Register”
Select “Attendee Registration” and complete your Newtopia Now registration as usual
On the “Community Experiences and Networking” page, select: The Naturally Rising Pitch Slam and ConsciousCPG Awards presented by Naturally Network
Interested in partnering with us for Naturally Rising?
As a non-profit dedicated to fostering a more conscious and sustainable ecosystem, our impact is only made possible through the generosity of our partners! We are seeking sponsorships in several areas, with many different levels of commitment available:
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Presenting Partner recognition
(1) MC opportunity
(2) Grow the Good Tables included - 20 seats total, worth $7,000
***See Grow the Good information below
(1) Dedicated Partner Minute recording around your event involvement
Option to address the audience as part of welcome remarks day of
Listing across all digital properties and all social mentions related to the event
Naturally Rising landing page
Event RSVP page
Minimum 5 mentions on Linkedin leading up to the event
Inclusion in the Post-event recap blog post
Inclusion as the presenting partner for this event in the annual impact report
At least 2 mentions on Linkedin post-event
Email opt-in sign up as part of the RSVP process
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(1) Grow the Good Tables include - 10 seats total, worth $3,500
***See Grow the Good Tables information blow
Hospitality Partner recognition - co-branded menu and food signage
(1) Dedicated Partner Minute recording around your event involvement
Listing across all digital properties and all social mentions related to the event
Naturally Rising landing page
Event RSVP page
Minimum 2 mentions on Linkedin leading up to the event
Inclusion in the Post-event recap blog post
Inclusion as the presenting partner for this event in the annual impact report
At least 1 mentions on Linkedin post-event
Email opt-in sign up as part of the RSVP process
Opportunity to make an offer to all RSVPs
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The Grow the Good table opportunity is a great fit for companies and individuals that want to align and communicate their shared conscious business values to the industry. This is a meaningful way to support this event as well as create a shared experience for your team, partners, and clients.
Listed as a Grow the Good Supporter on the ConsciousCPG Awards landing page and the Naturally Rising landing page
Each table seats 10, GTG tables are nearest the stage
Includes 20 drink tickets per table
An annual Naturally Rising Competition t-shirt for every seat courtesy of Cambium Analytica
A sample from each brand at your table day of featuring the 11 brands competing on the national stage
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This partnership level is for Partners that are mainly interested in offering an in-kind prize that supports the success of our finalists
The $1,000 financial contribution will create a pool of funds for the winner of the 2026 national competition
Listed as an In-Kind Prize Supporter on the Naturally Rising landing page
Two social posts as part of event promo
In-Kind Prize mentions during show day from the stage
Inclusion in the post-event recap
Include an offer to event attendees as part of the post-event email
Includes 2 complimentary tickets to the event
Includes 2 drink tickets per person
First-come, first serve appetizers and snacks
An annual Naturally Rising Competition t-shirt for every ticket courtesy of Cambium Analytica
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Sponsor an Awards category: Business, Partner, Capital, or Retail
Includes a video clip to be included as part of the category finalist promotion ahead of the tradeshow for the chosen category
Includes the opportunity to present the award to the winner on event day
Inclusion in the event recap
One (1) Grow the Good Table at the awards show
Listed as a Grow the Good Supporter on the ConsciousCPG Awards landing page and the Naturally Rising landing page
Each table seats 10, GTG tables are nearest the stage
Includes 20 drink tickets per table
First-come, first serve appetizers and snacks
An annual Naturally Rising Competition t-shirt for every seat courtesy of Cambium Analytica
A sample from each brand at your table day of featuring the 11 brands competing on the national stage
This is your moment to shape the experience of our entire community while providing critical resources that ensure the success of this program! Fill out the inquiry form below with your area of interest: