Enthuse Foundation Announced Finalists for 7th Annual Women Founders Pitch Competition

The Enthuse Foundation announced the finalists for its 7th Annual Women Founders Pitch Competition, spotlighting innovative entrepreneurs shaping the food, beverage, and consumer packaged goods (CPG) market. The event was scheduled to take place on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at The Town Hall by Skylight in the PENN District, New York City.

7th Annual Women Founders Pitch Competition

More than 350 applications were reviewed, and five women founders were selected to compete for over $200,000 in cash awards and growth-focused business resources. The finalists represented mission-driven brands integrating sustainability, cultural heritage, functional nutrition, and beverage innovation.

The 2025 finalists were:

• Kimberle Lau, Bake Me Healthy, an allergy-friendly baking brand using upcycled ingredients for reduced waste and improved sustainability.
• Carolina Lopez, BEJOU, a sensitive-skin beauty brand rooted in Latin American botanicals and focused on hyperpigmentation concerns.
• Tatyana Jones, DEFI Snacks, a chocolate and protein snack line combining indulgence with functional benefits.
• Rachel Ransom, Angel Hobbs and Aliyah Newman, Krave Cocktail Seltzer, an alcohol-based ready-to-drink beverage bringing convenience and flavor to the growing seltzer category.
• Palita Sriratana, Pink Salt, a sauce brand introducing authentic Thai flavors to a wider global audience.

The judging panel included leaders from venture capital, consumer goods, and brand strategy:

• Deepa Gandhi, Dagne Dover
• Eugene Khabensky, Diageo
• Claudia Schubert, Boston Consulting Group
• Nicole Angel Wachter, Angel Ventures NYC

“With women receiving less than 2% of venture capital, supporting women founders remained central to our mission,” said Kim Lawton, Co-Founder of the Enthuse Foundation. “Now in our seventh year, this event continued to provide critical resources, mentorship, and exposure to help innovative, women-led businesses thrive. We were thrilled to celebrate the vision and resilience of this year’s finalists.”

Alongside the competition, Amazon hosted a “Support small with Amazon” branded pop-up, showcasing products from women-owned businesses featured in its storefront, including offerings from the finalists. The experience also marked the 25th anniversary of Amazon enabling small businesses to sell on its platform.

Participants in the Amazon pop-up included:

Beyond the Bib, Cheeky Cocktails, Planet Bake, Sababa Foods, SAYSO, S’noods, The Spice Theory, and Tuck and Bundle.

Sponsors supporting the event included Amazon, 1919 Investment Counsel, Accountability, Alera Group, Alliant, Citrin Cooperman, Cross Private Client Insurance, Enthuse Marketing Group, Kendra Scott, Morgan Stanley, and Webster Bank. In-kind support was provided by BrandSpoken, EmergeCPG, Emerging Brands Podcast, Food Biz Wiz, Hootsuite, Launch Grow Exit, Locket, Masthead Strategies, Rockaway Soda, SFT Consulting, and The Bellendaine Group.

Since launching its pitch competitions and grant programs, the Enthuse Foundation invested more than $1 million in capital and services to help scale women-owned enterprises.

Source: Enthuse Foundation via PR Newswire