Blueberry Boost Accelerator | VentureFuel

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.

As the head of VentureFuel's innovation team and consulting practice, Pritam builds bold collaborations between industry giants and breakthrough startups. With a background in Open Innovation, his work identifies and shapes next generation technologies, helping clients seize white space opportunities, and turn innovation centers into drivers of growth. He’s a materials engineer by training, a systems thinker by instinct, and a trusted partner to C-suite leaders & startup founders alike, hleping them bet on what’s next, collaborate and grow.

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, Monterey, Calif., Sep 22-25.
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, 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.

After taking home the $20,000 grand prize, Pluff has focused on scaling its high-protein, blueberry-powered whipped mousse dessert. With a product that delivers strong nutrition credentials—20g of protein and low sugar—Pluff entered the accelerator with retail ambitions and has since been actively working toward distribution and production scale. (USHBC)

Post-program, the company has continued refining its go-to-market strategy, using insights from the accelerator to advance retail conversations and position itself within the fast-growing functional dessert category.

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."

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

About VentureFuel

VentureFuel is an independent innovation advisory firm that helps established organizations commercialize what’s next, now by turning startup innovation into measurable business growth. Through their "Build. Buy. Partner." approach, they accelerate R&D, de-risk M&A, and rapidly validate new technologies in-market. VentureFuel helps organizations like Hershey's, Comcast, Dick's Sporting Goods, AARP Foundation and U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council with end-to-end innovation engines that deliver faster execution, reduced internal lift, and stronger results than traditional innovation models. Learn more at venturefuel.net, LinkedIn, X, and Instagram, and listen to The VentureFuel Visionaries podcast wherever you get your podcasts.