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Fueling Innovation with the

Power of Blueberries

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!

Deadline: July 11, 2025

Led by the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) in partnership with VentureFuel, the Blueberry Boost Accelerator propels standout products and companies innovating with blueberries toward accelerated growth.

This 9-week virtual program offers tailored support through dedicated mentorship, strategic guidance, and industry connections equipping participants with the insights, tools, and network needed to accelerate commercialization and drive long-term success.

Program Features

Curated mentor sessions with industry experts
Curated mentor sessions with industry experts
Weekly cohort roundtables and KPI tracking
Weekly cohort roundtables
Hands-on pitch coaching and presentation prep
Hands-on pitch coaching
1:1 business coaching
1:1 business coaching
Networking with industry experts and buyers
Networking with industry experts and buyers
Tailored support in marketing, e-commerce, retail, logistics, and more
Tailored support in marketing,
e-commerce, retail, logistics, and more
Opportunity to exhibit and pitch live at the National Blueberry Conference
Opportunity to exhibit and pitch live at the USHBC Blueberry Convention
Chance to win up to $20,000 in cash prizes
Chance to win up to $20,000 in cash prizes

RSVP to our Upcoming Information Session! 

Interested in learning more about this year's program?

Join us for our virtual info session. Learn more about the program, gain insights into the application process, and hear about how it's built specifically to accelerate products and companies innovating using blueberries as a key ingredient. Meet the program team and have your questions answered during an open Q&A. 


Date:
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Time:
9:00 AM - 9:45 PST 

Meet Your Hosts

Inez Be

Inez Be | Director of Marketing, U.S. Highbush Bluberry Council

Inez Be is the Director of Marketing at the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and North American Blueberry Council. She is a marketing, PR, and communications expert who is passionate about food brands, having developed a career for many years working in food and agriculture, including potatoes, honey, almonds, rice, avocados and, of course, blueberries. Inez is responsible for the strategic execution of USHBC efforts in marketing, advertising and promotions of blueberries via B2C and B2B channels. She works closely with the VP of global marketing and communications and several agency partners to oversee and facilitate the day-to-day brand and marketing activities across consumer, retail/shopper, foodservice, ingredient, health/nutrition and digital areas.
LinkedIn
Beau Bergman

Beau Bergman | Director of Innovation & Partnerships, VentureFuel

With a deep expertise in corporate innovation, venture capital, and startup ecosystems, he brings over a decade of experience leading high-impact programs and scaling operations across multiple sectors. Currently the Director of Innovation & Partnerships at VentureFuel, he leads the strategy and execution of accelerator programs for Fortune 500 clients—including Comcast NBCUniversal and Dick’s Sporting Goods—as well as category-specific initiatives like the Blueberry Boost Accelerator and the Real California Milk Excelerator in the CPG and agriculture sectors.
LinkedIn
Nicole Payne

Nicole Payne | Manager of Innovation & Partnerships, VentureFuel

Nicole began her career at Georgia-Pacific, driving commercialization of new-to-industry technology in the digital print space. From there, she held several roles at Inspire Brands, advancing innovation across multiple domains. Most recently, Nicole pioneered the development and commercialization of new menu, process, and technology innovations across brands like Dunkin', Jimmy Johns, and Buffalo Wild Wings on a global scale.

Nicole studied Chemical Engineering and Business Administration at Auburn University and is a graduate of the Morning Brew Accelerator program. She is passionate about human-centered design and scaling new ideas.
LinkedIn
Have questions? Reach out to us at blueberry@venturefuel.net

Why Blueberries?

Kasey Cronquist

The future of fruit is about versatility and visibility. Can blueberries grab their share of stomach in a crowded industry?

In this episode of VentureFuel Visionaries podcast, Kasey Cronquist, President of US Highbush Blueberry Council and North American Blueberry Council talks about the new Blueberry Boost Accelerator and how innovation is a growth lever to move the industry “beyond the morning” by promoting the great taste, energy, fun and health halo to help find a “home for every berry” and grab their deserved “share of stomach."


Blueberry Boost Accelerator

First-Ever Blueberry Boost Accelerator Seeks Next Generation of Food and Consumer Product Innovation

Folsom, CA (June 2, 2025) — The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC), in partnership with VentureFuel, today announced the launch of the Blueberry Boost Accelerator — a new program designed to discover and support emerging startups that are redefining the future of blueberries. Applications are now open and will be reviewed on a rolling basis through July 11, 2025, at 11:59 pm PT.

Who Should Apply?

We’re seeking products and companies bringing novel and innovative concepts to market that meet the following criteria: 

  • Feature blueberries as a primary ingredient
  • Are currently generating revenue
  • Are reviewed under USDA oversight
  • Have a safe, working product prototype ready for sampling at the USHBC Blueberry Convention.
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Areas of Interest

  • Snacks
  • Frozen
  • Beverages (including alcoholic options)
  • Confectionery
  • Personal care items (e.g., skincare, cosmetics)
  • Wellness/performance
  • Ready-to-eat meals
  • Sauces and dressings
  • Pet products

Click here for more information on using blueberries as an ingredient, or to find a supplier.

Why Apply?

  • Accelerate Your Growth – Receive strategic guidance, expert mentorship, and tailored commercialization support to grow faster and smarter.
  • Boost and Amplify Your Brand – Receive support in developing professional video commercials and sales sheets and gain visibility in press releases and media activities.
  • Expand Your Network – Connect with buyers, investors, retailers, and innovation leaders who can help take your brand to the next level.
  • Refine Your Pitch – Work 1:1 with our team to develop and perfect your pitch in preparation for the live competition at the USHBC Blueberry Convention, Seattle, WA, Oct. 8-10
  • Early Industry Recognition –  Build credibility and expand your network through mentorship and coaching sessions with top industry experts, then showcase your product at the USHBC Blueberry Convention, Seattle, WA, Oct. 8-10, attended by industry leaders and potential partners.
  • Win Up to $20,000 in Prizes – $20,000 for the grand prize winner and $10,000 for the runner-up, awarded at the USHBC Blueberry Convention.
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Program Timeline

June 2, 2025 Applications Open
June 25, 2025 Virtual Program Information Session
July 11, 2025 Applications Close
July 28 - August 8, 2025 Cohort Selection & Onboarding
August 11 - October 6, 2025 Accelerator Program
October 8-10, 2025 Final Pitch Event + Expo at the USHBC Blueberry Convention, Seattle, WA

 

Program Timeline

June 2, 2025

Applications Open

 

June 25, 2025

Virtual Program Information Session

 

July 11, 2025

Applications Close

 

July 28 - August 8, 2025

Cohort Selection & Onboarding

 

August 11 - October 6, 2025

Accelerator Program

 

October 8-10, 2025

Final Pitch Event + Expo at the USHBC Blueberry Convention, Seattle, WA

Meet Your Program Leads

Inez Be
Director of Marketing
U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council Representative
LinkedIn
Beau Bergman
Director of Innovation & Partnerships
VentureFuel
LinkedIn
Nicole Payne
Manager of Innovation & Partnerships
VentureFuel
LinkedIn
Have questions? Reach out to us at blueberry@venturefuel.net
U.S. HIGHBUSH BLUEBERRY COUNCIL NORTH AMERICAN BLUEBERRY COUNCIL

About U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council

Established in 2000, The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) is a federal agriculture research and promotion program with independent oversight from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). USHBC represents blueberry growers and packers in North and South America who market their blueberries in the United States and overseas, and works to promote the growth and well-being of the entire blueberry industry. USHBC was established by blueberry growers and currently has 2,500 growers, packers, exporters and importers. USHBC is committed to providing blueberries that are grown, harvested, packed and shipped in clean, safe environments. Learn more at ushbc.blueberry.org. Visit us at www.blueberry.org

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About VentureFuel

VentureFuel is an independent innovation advisory firm that helps the world's best organizations commercialize innovation to ignite change by working with startups. Its innovation programs help enterprise organizations learn, test, build and invest in emerging technology to solve their biggest problems today and unlock new sources of growth. VentureFuel provides organizations like Hershey's, Comcast, Dick's Sporting Goods, AARP Foundation and the State of California the tools to drive transformative change with less risk, more speed, and greater proximity to the consumer than traditional innovation models. Learn more at: www.venturefuel.net, LinkedIn, X, and Instagram. You can listen to The VentureFuel Visionaries podcast on Apple, Spotify, Simplecast or wherever you get your podcasts.