From gut health to indulgent snacking, selected startups showcase bold, blueberry-powered innovation
The US Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC), in partnership with VentureFuel, has announced the four companies selected for the inaugural cohort of the Blueberry Boost Accelerator.
Each startup was chosen by a selection panel of blueberry industry leaders for its bold use of blueberries in innovative products that span wellness, fun snacking formats and better-for-you indulgence – offering novel, exciting ways for consumers to enjoy blueberries.
“The Blueberry Boost Accelerator was launched earlier this year to fuel forward-thinking product innovation and elevate blueberries as a hero ingredient by supporting visionary startups,” USHBC said. “From functional nutrition to clean-label desserts, this inaugural cohort exemplifies the future of the power of blueberries.”
The cohort includes:
- · Bonny Prebiotic Fiber Powder (New York, NY) – A clean-label, prebiotic fibre powder with a blueberry-infused flavour, designed to support gut health.
- · Farmer Bob’s Beyond Berries (Salem, OR) – A frozen, nutrient-dense fruit snack made with upcycled blueberries and raspberries and naturally sweet dates.
- · Pluff (Orlando, FL) – A high-protein, low-sugar mousse-style dessert launching with a “Berry Blast” flavour made with freeze-dried blueberries.
- · Sorbatto’s Blue Cream (Wapato, WA) – A dairy-free, allergy-friendly frozen dessert made from 75 per cent highbush blueberries with no added sugar or water.
Companies were evaluated across various criteria: volume potential and market relevance; unique value proposition and differentiation (including blueberry prominence); product marketability and PR potential; fundability and scale; and the strength of founding teams.
“Whether eaten by the handful or in a favourite recipe, blueberries are a delicious and special staple – and we’ve known they have huge potential in ingredient innovation,” said USHBC president Kasey Cronquist.
“This cohort of inventive entrepreneurial brands is demonstrating how blueberries can add great taste, excitement and wellness benefits to products across categories. We’re thrilled to be part of the promotion and continued growth of these innovators.”
The cohort will now enter a nine-week accelerator sprint, receiving weekly one-on-one coaching from VentureFuel, expert sessions with industry leaders, peer roundtables and support with developing marketing materials, including a professionally produced commercial.
The programme will culminate in a live pitch competition at The Blueberry Convention in Seattle, Oct. 8-10, where the winning company will receive a US$20,000 grand prize, and the runner-up will receive US$10,000.
“This cohort shows how startup-driven innovation can introduce blueberries to new consumers in exciting, unexpected ways,” said Fred Schonenberg, founder and CEO of VentureFuel.
“These founders are creating products that deliver on what today’s shoppers crave – flavour, function and fun – while unlocking new paths to commercial scale that benefit the entire blueberry category.”
