Naturally Austin

What Naturally Austin does

Naturally Austin is a nonprofit community organization founded in 2019 and affiliated with the Naturally Network, serving as the central hub for the natural consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry in Central Texas. Its mission is to foster sustainable and responsible entrepreneurship by connecting entrepreneurs, investors, brands, retailers, and industry experts through programming, networking, and educational resources. The organization operates with a small team (1-10 employees) and is governed by a board of directors chaired by Felipe Vega.

The organization's core offerings include individual and corporate memberships ($65/year for individuals), the M/O Fellowship — a 12-week accelerator for underrepresented early-stage CPG founders launched in partnership with SKU in 2021 — and the M/O Track accelerator cohort. Additional programs include events such as Pitch Slam, the M/O Showcase, the Birthday Bash fundraiser, the Women in CPG Summit, and the Essential CPG Discussions podcast. Members gain access to the Naturally Network Job Board powered by ForceBrands, retail data analytics via NielsenIQ Byzzer, and curated events and educational content.

Naturally Austin's revenue model combines individual membership fees, three-tiered corporate partnership sponsorships (GrowthPartner $5,000, ThoughtPartner $7,500, LeadingPartner $10,000), and fundraising events. The geographic focus is Central Texas, though it operates within the broader Naturally Network's multi-city footprint (Boulder, Bay Area, Chicago, San Diego, North Bay, New York, Los Angeles). M/O Fellowship funders include Danone, 301 Inc., Agave Fund, Tito's Handmade Vodka, and Amplify Snack Brands, while broader partners include H-E-B, Whole Foods Market, and Bank of America. The organization has no proprietary technology platform and relies on third-party tools (GlueUp, ForceBrands, Squarespace) for operational infrastructure.

Name

Naturally Austin

Legal name

Naturally Austin

Website

https://naturallyaustin.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Naturally Austin is a 501(c)-style nonprofit community organization founded in 2019 that serves as the Central Texas hub for the natural CPG industry, connecting founders, investors, retailers, and brands through memberships, the M/O Fellowship accelerator, events, and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Individual and corporate membership subscriptions providing access to community, events, resources, and member benefits. Individual memberships are $65/year, with corporate membership options available.
2. Sponsorships and Partnership Programs: Three-tiered partnership levels (GrowthPartner $5,000, ThoughtPartner $7,500, LeadingPartner $10,000) offering brand recognition, event tickets, marketing exposure, and community access for corporate sponsors looking to support the natural products ecosystem.
3. Fundraising and Events: Revenue generated through event attendance, silent auctions, and community fundraising efforts such as the annual Birthday Bash (raised $41,500 in 2022).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Naturally Austin is a nonprofit community organization that brings together entrepreneurs, investors, brands, retailers, and industry experts to support the natural consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry in Central Texas. Its core offerings include an annual membership program (individual and corporate), the M/O Fellowship accelerator for underrepresented founders, a partnership/sponsorship program with three tiers, events and programming, and a job board powered by ForceBrands.

Product overview

Naturally Austin is a nonprofit community organization serving the natural consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry in Central Texas. Its core offerings include a membership program ($65/year for individuals) providing networking, education, and industry resources; the M/O Fellowship, a 12-week accelerator for underrepresented early-stage founders; a job board powered by ForceBrands; and a three-tiered partnership/sponsorship program. Additional offerings encompass events programming, a podcast series, and market insights content delivered through partners like NielsenIQ Byzzer and UMAI Marketing. The organization operates as a unified community platform rather than a modular software product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Individual Membership
• Corporate Membership
• M/O Fellowship Program
• Partnership/Sponsorship Program
• Events and Programming
• Naturally Network Job Board

Quantifiable outcome

• 77 M/O Fellows in first year, with 10 selected for M/O Track accelerator
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SKU (Sustainable Kitchens University)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSKU is the nation's first CPG accelerator and partnered with Naturally Austin on the M/O Fellowship and M/O Track accelerator program. The partnership brings resources, curriculum, and mentorship to diverse founders in the natural products industry. 70+ founders participated in the first year program.
• ForceBrandscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorForceBrands powers the Naturally Network Job Board, the only national job board focusing on natural and organic product industry roles. Members and Partners get access to post free job listings, view applications with real-time dashboards, and cross-post at a 20% partner discount.
• NielsenIQ ByzzercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNielsenIQ Byzzer provides retail data analytics to Naturally Austin members, offering free subscriptions and reports on consumer trends, wellness insights, and market data to help brands grow their market share and have informed conversations with retailers.
• UMAI MarketingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUMAI Marketing is a Naturally Austin partner that provides marketing expertise, presenting at Marketing Forums on topics like Black Friday/Cyber Monday strategy and hosting free Masterclasses for members.
• CarbonBetterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCarbonBetter partnered with Naturally Austin to host a Sustainable Brands Meet-Up during Earth Week and helps businesses align profitable practices with environmental sustainability.
• H-E-BcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerH-E-B partners with Naturally Austin to connect with emerging CPG brands. Through programs like Quest for Texas Best, H-E-B reviews products from local, small, women, and minority suppliers for shelf placement consideration.
• Aion FiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAion Fi provides content series for Naturally Austin members on funding topics including how to access capital, working capital lines of credit, and non-dilutive funding options.
• Creative HavenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCreative Haven partnered with Naturally Austin to present the Essential CPG Discussions podcast series featuring expert insights on branding, marketing, and design.
• Naturally NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNaturally Austin is an affiliate of the Naturally Network, a national organization with branches in Boulder (founding entity), Bay Area, Chicago, San Diego, North Bay, New York, and Los Angeles. The network hosts events like the Women in CPG Summit across affiliate cities.
• Central Machine WorksminorOthersCentral Machine Works hosted the Sustainable Brands Meet-Up event as a venue partner for Naturally Austin's Earth Week celebration.
• Gathered FoodsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted the Women in CPG Step-Up Happy Hour at their venue, providing space for women and non-binary founders to network and request support.
• Beatbox BeveragesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided beverages for Women in CPG Happy Hour and Birthday Bash events.
• Luna Bay BoochminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided beverages for Women in CPG Happy Hour and Birthday Bash events.
• Ounce WaterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided beverages for Women in CPG Happy Hour event.
• Austin EastcidersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted 2022 CPG Insights Event and provided beverages for Birthday Bash.
• PREP ATXminorOthersCo-hosted I Love Texas CPG Happy Hour at their newly-opened facility, providing kitchen and coworking space for Austin CPG brands.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Naturally North Bay: Naturally Network affiliate covering the North Bay California natural products community; operates with the same model and benefits structure as Naturally Austin.
• Naturally New York: Naturally Network affiliate serving the New York metro natural CPG founder community with analogous programming, sponsorships, and member benefits.
• Naturally Boulder: The founding affiliate of the Naturally Network and the organizational model for Naturally Austin. Operates the same community/membership/sponsorship structure for natural CPG entrepreneurs in Boulder, Colorado.
• Naturally Chicago: Naturally Network affiliate serving Chicago's natural CPG ecosystem; comparable in mission, structure, and programming to Naturally Austin.
• Naturally Bay Area: Naturally Network affiliate serving the San Francisco Bay Area natural products CPG community with the same membership, programming, and partnership model as Naturally Austin.
• Naturally San Diego: Naturally Network affiliate operating the same community/membership/fellowship-style programs for natural product entrepreneurs in the San Diego region.

Emerging players

• Good Food Foundation: Nonprofit supporting artisan food producers through awards, retail connections, and educational programming; overlaps with Naturally Austin in supporting mission-driven CPG founders with retail access.

Broad incumbents

• Specialty Food Association: Long-standing national trade association for the specialty food industry, running Fancy Food Shows, member services, and education. Operates at broader national scale but with thematic overlap in serving natural/specialty CPG brands.
• Good Food Institute: Established national nonprofit focused on accelerating alternative protein and food innovation. Comparable as a mission-driven nonprofit ecosystem-builder for food/CPG founders, though with a narrower category focus.

Others

• SKU (Sustainable Kitchens University): Nation's first CPG accelerator and a direct programming partner on the M/O Fellowship and M/O Track. Functions as an adjacent accelerator/enabler rather than a competing community organization.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Naturally Austin