Enthuse Foundation Announces Finalists for 8th Annual Pitch Night: A Benefit Supporting Women Entrepreneurs

Five women-owned CPG brands gaining traction with $100K to $1M in annual revenue will pitch live on November 5 in New York City

NEW YORK, Oct. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Enthuse Foundation, a nonprofit that helps women founders bridge the gap from early traction to sustainable growth, today announced the five finalists for the Enthuse Foundation 8th Annual Pitch Night: A Benefit Supporting Women Entrepreneurs. The event takes place Thursday, November 5, 2026, at The Town Hall by Skylight in New York City.

Each finalist leads a women-owned food, beverage or CPG brand that is gaining traction, with $100K to $1M in annual revenue. Selected from more than 200 applications, the five founders will pitch live to a panel of investors and industry leaders for a total prize package worth more than $100K.

These founders have already done the hardest part: building something people want. Yet at this stage, many are too established for informal funding and too early for traditional investors. The Enthuse Foundation exists for this moment. We say "yes" when everyone else says "not yet."

This year's finalists are:

• Cartwheel, better first aid for families, founded by Joanna Shu
• Cotto, a cottage cheese-based dip, founded by Kendall Kransdorf
• Fermenteria, probiotic fermented water kefir, founded by Jade Chang Sheppard
• Noodo, premium pasta sauces, founded by Liana Krasnow
• Veggie Vice, freeze-dried veggie chips, founded by Riddhima Kapoor

Judges:

• Kim Lawton, CEO, Enthuse Marketing, and Co-Founder, Enthuse Foundation
• Heidi Dillon, CEO and Founder, Bloom Talent Studio; former CEO, Distill Ventures
• Diana Franco, SVP, Initiatives, Women.NYC
• Nicole Angel, Founder, Angel Ventures

"The founders on our stage have already proven that people want what they're making," said Kim Lawton, Co-Founder of the Enthuse Foundation. "Too often, this is exactly the moment the rest of the system says 'not yet.' At the Enthuse Foundation, we say yes. Pitch Night brings founders, investors, industry leaders and supporters into one room to help these businesses make their next move."

Pitch Night is built for two communities. For founders building something real, it is a room full of investors, industry leaders and a community ready to help them grow. For anyone who has ever supported a founder, donated, mentored, or simply believed in her before the rest of the world caught up, it is where they see that belief pay off. The evening features live pitches, real prizes, and five women-owned CPG brands ready for what's next.

Since its inception, the Enthuse Foundation has invested over $1M in cash and services in women-owned businesses through its pitch competition and grant initiatives.

Event Sponsors:

• Sponsors: Enthuse Marketing, Spearhead Global, Diageo, 1919 Investment Counsel, Alera Group, Accountability, Citrin Cooperman, Kendra Scott, Cross Private Client Insurance, Morgan Stanley, Alliant Retirement Consulting, Webster Bank
• In-Kind Sponsors: BrandSpoken, Launch Grow Exit, ofAllTrades

Event Details:

• What: Enthuse Foundation 8th Annual Pitch Night: A Benefit Supporting Women Entrepreneurs
• When: Thursday, November 5, 2026
• Where: The Town Hall by Skylight, PENN 2, 2 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY
• Time: 6 PM Cocktails and networking; 7 PM Pitches begin
• Tickets: https://www.enthusefoundation.org/event-details/8th-annual-pitch-competition-and-benefit

About the Enthuse Foundation

The Enthuse Foundation helps women CPG founders bridge the gap from early commercial traction ($100K to $1M in revenue) to sustainable, scalable growth by providing access to capital, mentorship and education. The Foundation supports founders at one of the most consequential stages of business growth: after they have proven there is demand for their product, but before traditional funding and support systems are ready to invest. Learn more at enthusefoundation.org.

Media Contact

Ann D'Adamo

adadamo@enthusefoundation.org

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SOURCE Enthuse Foundation