CompoKeeper wins natural pitch slam

BOULDER – CompoKeeper LLC, a company that makes an odor-free compost bin, was this year’s winner of cash and business services valued at more than $50,000 at the Naturally Boulder annual Pitch Slam event.

More than 25 regional natural-food companies pitched their business startup ideas to a panel of natural-food industry veteran judges on Wednesday afternoon to vie for the Pitch Slam prize and industry recognition. Past Pitch Slam winners such as Evol Foods, a Boulder-based frozen burrito and meal maker, have grown rapidly into national markets. Audience members helped pick the winner by texting their votes to the event organizer.

“Few things are more valuable to an entrepreneur from an emerging natural-products company than candid feedback from respected industry veterans and thought leaders,” Ellen Feeney, Naturally Boulder president, said in a press statement.

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Naturally Boulder is an economic development group focused on nurturing natural food companies in Boulder. It is sponsored by the city of Boulder and local companies.

Several area natural-food companies were recognized in an annual awards presentation following the Pitch Slam finals, which were held at the Boulder Theater, 2032 14th St. in Boulder.

Award winners were:

Lifetime Achievement – Mo Siegel, founder of Celestial Seasonings tea company.

Company of the Year – WhiteWave Foods Co., Broomfield.

Best Young Business – Alfalfa’s Market, Boulder.

Focus on the Future Sustainability – White Wave Foods Co. for its Silk soy-milk products.

Local Hero – Bryce Winton Brown, executive director, Growe Foundation, Boulder.

Lance Gentry Breakthrough Innovation – Previous Pitch Slam winner Goddess Garden, Boulder. in Boulder Gentry was president of Boulder-based Justin’s Nut Butter LLC before he died of a brain tumor in June 2012.

Pitch Slam judges included Carole Buyers, senior vice president, investor relations and business development at Boulder Brands Inc. in Niwot (Nasdaq: BDBD); Nova Covington, founder of Goddess Garden; Hass Hassan, member of the board of directors of Whole Foods Market Inc. in Austin, Texas (Nasdaq: WFM) and a co-founder of Alfalfa’s Market; John Maggio, chief executive of Big Mouth Snack LLC in Boulder and founder of Boulder Canyon Natural Foods, maker of Boulder Chips, based in Phoenix; and Steve Wangler, vice president of sales for SPINS LLC in Schaumburg, Illinois.

A flood-relief fund also was announced at the event. The fund will help natural products companies who were affected by storms and floods in September in Colorado. To date, Naturally Boulder sponsors and members have donated more than $39,000 to the fund, according to the press release. Details on applying for flood-relief grants will be announced soon on the Naturally Boulder website at www.naturallyboulder.org.