Five Finalists Named for Naturally Colorado's Pitch Contest

The annual competition highlights innovative natural products brands in the state.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:14pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a carefully arranged composition of premium natural products ingredients such as whole grains, legumes, herbs, and glass jars, all set against a clean, monochromatic seamless background with sharp, dramatic lighting and deep shadows to represent the abstract concepts of innovation, sustainability, and conscious consumerism within the natural products industry.The finalists in Naturally Colorado's annual pitch competition showcase the state's thriving natural products industry and the next generation of innovative, purpose-driven brands.Boulder Today

Five founders have been selected as finalists for Naturally Colorado's Naturally Rising Pitch Competition, which will take place on April 22. The finalists represent a range of natural products companies, including a regenerative grain company, a lentil-based tofu brand, a condiment maker, a men's grooming line, and a tea company.

Why it matters

The Naturally Rising Pitch Competition is an important platform for showcasing the next generation of innovative natural products companies in Colorado, a state known for its thriving natural and organic food and wellness industries. The finalists highlight the diversity of sustainable, purpose-driven brands emerging in the region.

The details

The five finalists are: Emily Philpott of Dry Storage, a Boulder regenerative grain company; Neha Awasthi of Mungfu, an Erie food brand reinventing tofu with lentils and legumes; Stacey Hughes of Get Zingy, a Cascade-based condiment brand; Kelly Perkins of Old Salt, a low-waste, plastic-free men's grooming brand in Golden; and Taelor O'Dorisio of Tea with Tae, a Golden tea company.

  • The Naturally Rising Pitch Competition will take place on April 22, 2026.

The players

Naturally Colorado

A nonprofit organization that supports the natural products industry in Colorado.

Kristine Carey

The executive director of Naturally Colorado.

Emily Philpott

The founder of Dry Storage, a Boulder regenerative grain company.

Neha Awasthi

The founder of Mungfu, an Erie food brand reinventing tofu with lentils and legumes.

Stacey Hughes

The founder of Get Zingy, a Cascade-based condiment brand.

Kelly Perkins

The founder of Old Salt, a low-waste, plastic-free men's grooming brand in Golden.

Taelor O'Dorisio

The founder of Tea with Tae, a Golden tea company.

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What they’re saying

“This year's finalists represent the future of conscious business – not just in Colorado, but across the natural products industry. We're especially proud to see such strong representation of women founders and brands building with both purpose and performance in mind.”

— Kristine Carey, Executive Director, Naturally Colorado

What’s next

The Naturally Rising Pitch Competition will take place on April 22, 2026, where the five finalists will compete for the top prize.

The takeaway

The finalists in Naturally Colorado's pitch contest showcase the thriving natural products industry in the state, with a diverse array of innovative, sustainable, and purpose-driven brands led by women entrepreneurs. This competition highlights Colorado's position as a hub for the next generation of conscious businesses in the natural products space.