The Nombase Podcast

OpenSky Ventures has backed brands like Fishwife, Magic Mind, and Habiza, and is actively deploying capital into the next wave of innovative businesses. They focus on brands with early traction, strong customer loyalty, and clear potential to scale into lasting, differentiated brands.In this episode, Stephanie Nwokolo Hussey, Principal at OpenSky Ventures, breaks down exactly what they look for, how they evaluate founders, and how to know if your brand is a fit before you pitch.You will learn:• How to prove real brand strength through repeat rates, subscriptions, and early customer loyalty signals• What investors actually want in a deck, including must show metrics and common deal breaking mistakes• How to stay capital efficient by controlling marketing spend, supply chain costs, and team structure• How to build a go to market strategy using organic growth, community tactics, and customer first channels• How VCs separate real trends from hype using examples like protein demand and GLP 1 driven behavior shiftsIf you are a food or beverage founder thinking about raising, this episode will help you quickly understand whether Open Sky should be on your target list.

Yuka is increasingly influencing what gets bought and what gets put back at shelf, with millions of consumers using it in real time while they shop. In this episode, we’re joined by Gabriella Sebag-Weingrad, who leads Yuka’s US business, to break down how it all works and what it means for food and beverage brands trying to stay competitive. For founders, understanding Yuka is no longer optional, it’s a competitive advantage.How Yuka’s scoring system actually works and which ingredients can instantly cap your score or drag it downThe specific additives and formulation choices most likely to get your product put back at shelfWhat happens after a scan, including when consumers switch, trade up, or abandon products entirelyHow brands are reformulating in response and what they’re removing without replacingWays to improve your score without destroying margin, taste, or shelf lifeHow to turn Yuka from a risk into a growth lever by positioning your product as the winning alternative

Expo West is a massive event, and it can take weeks to fully process what you saw and what it actually means. There is a lot of noise, but if you look closely, the real signals start to emerge and point to where the industry is headed next. In this episode, we sit down with Sherry Frey of NielsenIQ to make sense of it all through the lens of real consumer data. We break down what is really happening with protein and how consumers are thinking about it in their diets, why regenerative and transparent sourcing are gaining traction, which flavor trends are sticking, and how the ongoing GLP 1 conversation is reshaping product design around satiety and nutrient density.

Expo West 2026 is here and the BevNET and NOSH team is sharing what's at the top of their hit list. Managing editors Martín Caballero and Monica Watrous break down the biggest trends they expect to see on the show floor, from protein and fiber trends, to seed oil free formulations, regenerative ingredients, functional fatigue, GLP-1 friendly products, nostalgic flavors, and more. Can't wait to see you all at the show!!

You may have a winning beverage you perfected in your kitchen or sell at the farmer’s market, but it’s a long road to making it work at scale. In this episode, MSI Express leaders Chuck Woods and Greg Schildmeyer share what it really takes to turn a bold idea into a profitable, manufacturable product. They’ll reveal how to avoid costly formulation and packaging mistakes, when to consider formats like stick packs versus liquids, and which trends actually have staying power. Plus, find out why aligning innovation with production reality is the key to building beverages that last.  This episode is a paid collaboration with MSI Express.

It has been a whirlwind year for food and beverage brands, with lawsuits, heightened regulatory scrutiny, and shifting rules creating real uncertainty across the industry. Justin Prochnow, a shareholder at Greenberg Traurig who advises food, beverage, and consumer brands on regulatory compliance and litigation risk, joins us to help make sense of what’s happening and how brands should respond. In this conversation, Justin breaks down the key legal and regulatory developments shaping 2025 and what brands need to be watching as they head into 2026, including ultra processed food scrutiny, GMO and bioengineered labeling following a recent Ninth Circuit decision, FDA attention on self affirmed GRAS and health related claims, protein and GLP one positioning, ingredient enforcement trends, and how state and federal priorities may shift under a new administration.

TikTok offers a big opportunity for food and beverage brands, but it also brings real challenges. It moves fast, culture shifts daily, and creativity matters more than polish, all while the path from discovery to purchase gets shorter. In this episode, Mike Westgate, Vertical Director of Food, Beverage and Alcohol at TikTok, shares what he has learned as the platform has grown into a major space for discovery, community, and commerce.  He breaks down discovery commerce, the role creators play as an extension of your sales force, the creative tools that help brands produce content efficiently, and the trends shaping what people buy. Mike also touches on organic versus paid content, early mover advantages, and how brands of every size can compete on the platform. 

Brain health is emerging as one of the biggest functional trends in food and beverage, as consumers look for ways to support focus, clarity, and long-term cognitive function through what they eat and drink. In this episode, Sephora Noormand of MOSH, Katie Emerson of Kyowa Hakko (makers of Cognizin®), Austin Holt of MacroCap Labs, and Josh Schall of J. Schall Consulting discuss how brands are leveraging science-backed ingredients like Cognizin® to build credibility and consumer trust, the role of clinical research in substantiating functional claims, and how innovation in brain-boosting foods, beverages, and supplements is reshaping the future of functional formulation.  This episode is a paid collaboration with Cognizin®.

Is Wegmans on your radar? For many emerging CPG brands, cracking Wegmans is a dream, but timing, trends, and execution often decide who makes it. In this episode, Isabel Washington of Laurel’s Coffee and Alexander Harik of Zesty Z share the real stories behind getting on Wegmans’ shelves, from navigating distributors to building velocity without demos or promos. They’re joined by Josh Cannon of Cultivate CPG, who brings years of experience guiding brands through the Wegmans process. Find out what buyers really want, how to pitch with confidence, and the strategies that turn “maybe” into yes.

Level up your formulation game with beverage expert Donald Wilkes of Blue Pacific Flavors and hear what’s really driving the next wave of functional drinks including smarter sweeteners, better energy, and flavor that actually delivers. Find out how to stay ahead of shifting consumer tastes, making clean label work without losing impact, and how to build products that don’t just follow trends but set them.

At Expo West, everyone was either carrying the Belgian Boys pink bag or talking about it. The line around their booth was for the bag—waffles and pancakes took a backseat. Known for great swag, did Belgian Boys go too big this time? Was it worth the investment? When the bags ran out, did the brand see their show goals realized? Anouck Gotlib, CEO of Belgian Boys, reveals whether it paid off and what they learned from the experience.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at Expo West 2025 with two key decision-makers: Casey Gaston (Whole Foods Market) and Molly Santuli (Springdale Ventures). They break down standout trends, name breakthrough brands, and reveal what made certain products impossible to ignore. Learn how to network with decision makers like these, secure key meetings, and craft the perfect follow-up for real retail and investment opportunities.