Feeling stuck on how to boost sales?
You're not alone. Many food and beverage founders grapple with questions like:
Should we launch new products?
Is it time to explore new sales channels?
Or should we focus on maximising current stockists?
Our Accelerator helps you find the right answers for your unique business.
Running an emerging business means wearing all the hats - and it can leave you overwhelmed and stuck in the day-to-day.
Maybe you’ve hit a ceiling with your current setup…
Marketing spend isn’t delivering results…
You’re chasing shiny new tactics that don’t move the needle…
And paying yourself properly feels out of reach.
That’s exactly why we created the Accelerator Programme - designed to help founders like you regain clarity, focus, and momentum to grow with confidence.
About the Accelerator Programme
What You'll Get:
A 12-month growth plan tailored to your business to increase sales.
Insights, advice and support from industry experts to help unlock additional sales opportunities.
A supportive community walking the same path to share ideas, experience, and collaborate
Next cohort starts 9th June 2025.
How it Works
Programme Format
Next cohort starts 9th June 2025
Live online group programme held over 12 weeks -
classes are capped at 20 participants.12 x weekly training modules released every Monday
60-90 min live Q&A session - weekly
1 Hour Live Masterclasses - fortnightly
60 min Live virtual networking - monthly
Plus access to the Rise Growth Hub Online Academy that includes more video trainings, expert masterclasses, templates and tools to keep you on track to achieve your growth plan.
Programme Investment
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$997 NZD + GST per month (x 3 months)
OR one payment of $2849 + GST
Funding Support - NZ based businesses
This program is registered with the Regional Business Partner Network.
Book a call to find out if you may be entitled to co-funding.
Turn your big, bold ambitions into reality.
Whether it’s expanding your reach locally or internationally, growing and scaling with confidence, or building a scalable foundation for long-term success.
Why it works
The food and beverage industry is unique, and so are its challenges. This programme equips you with the tools, strategies, and connections to transform your vision into tangible results.
Join the next cohort starting June 2025 and take the next big step toward growing and scaling your business.
Learn more about their wins in the Accelerator
Off the back of a successful launch into specialty retailer Farro, Eugene the co-founder of Node Hydration joined the program to expand his reach and grow sales in retail.
Allie, founder of Butterluxe Co had reached a ceiling with farmers markets and joined the program to support a NPD launch into retail to deliver more sales (and therefore growth) for her business.
Julia, co-founder of Bee & Flow Manuka joined the program with a range of NPD to expand from health shops into retail. Recently named as a ‘Breakthrough Brand’ at the Foodprenuers Festival, Julia is in negotiations with buyers in retail chains across ANZ.
Pip, founder of Little Pips real fruit syrups joined the program without a plan feeling like she had a scattergun approach to growing her business. Armed with a focused marketing strategy, she is increasing sales and all important unit economics.
Perzen the co-founder of Dolly Mumma joined the programme as she felt she’d hit a ceiling with farmers markets & D2C channels. She developed a plan to target speciality retail & gained distribution in Moore Wilson.
Shaun, founder of Firebird Energy, joined the program after a successful launch into vending machines & D2C, with a goal of expanding his reach in mainstream grocery & convenience. Now stocked in Foodstuffs and Woolworths, Shaun is eye
Our Proven Framework
Build a Clear, Confident Plan to Scale
The Accelerator Programme helps food & beverage founders move beyond overwhelm with a proven 4-phase framework. You’ll gain the strategy, systems, and support you need to grow sustainably—without second-guessing every decision.
Here’s what’s inside:
Weekly Support Designed for Founders
Weekly live training with Rebecca and industry experts
Personalised coaching and feedback
Access to expert networks and a supportive founder community
Live Q&A sessions and masterclasses
Rise Growth Hub Academy access: templates, tools, and bonus trainings
Alumni WhatsApp group for ongoing connection
Monthly virtual networking with like-minded founders
The Rise Growth Lab Blueprint
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Phase 1: Direction & Systems
Set a clear destination and the systems to get there.
Define what commercial success looks like in 12 months
Align your vision with practical, measurable goals
Build systems for daily improvement and long-term growth
✔ Outcome: A compelling growth plan backed by your values and profit goals.
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Phase 2: Market & Business Analysis
Make informed decisions based on real insights.
Conduct market analysis (consumer, category, channel, competitors)
Evaluate your business’s internal capability, performance and resources
Develop a SWOT to prioritise opportunities and mitigate risks
✔ Outcome: Identify the key levers for growth that align with your goals.
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Phase 3: Develop Your Growth Roadmap
Focus your energy on what works.
Use the Ansoff Matrix to evaluate growth opportunities
Build your marketing strategy (audience, positioning, tactics)
Make confident, focused decisions on what to pursue
✔ Outcome: A clear, focused roadmap with high-impact growth strategies.
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Phase 4: Execute with Impact
Turn your strategy into action with momentum.
Plan your channel strategy, product scale-up, and communications
Understand your people, capital, and export needs
Create real connection with your consumers
✔ Outcome: Stay on track and accountable with a focused action plan.
Who is the Accelerator for?
Revenue-generating founders ready to scale with structure, expert guidance, and a supportive community!
Hi, I’m Rebecca Brook
My passion lies in empowering emerging consumer-goods businesses to thrive and scale, both domestically and beyond.
With over two decades of experience in launching and growing FMCG and CPG brands globally, including roles with Fonterra, Premier Foods, and Nestle, I bring invaluable expertise to the table.
Over the last six years, I have worked closely with emerging consumer-goods businesses, guiding them to the next level and enhancing their growth trajectory.
You can learn more about my experience here and on LinkedIn.
Now, through Rise Growth Lab and my partnership with industry experts like NZFIN, Kelly Smith and Stickybeak, I’m excited to be able to provide my proven growth framework to more Food & Beverage entrepreneurs.
As the NZ Food Innovation Network we are developing New Zealand’s food & beverage industry
The New Zealand Food Innovation Network is a national network of open-access food and beverage production facilities. We’re here to help innovative, ambitious food businesses scale up and commercialise new products. From research and development, through to manufacturing, we support you with expertise and access to a diverse suite of manufacturing equipment.
From conception to consumption, we’re your catalyst for growth and success.
Our Partners
A group programme grounded in the reality of the food and beverage world, that delivers practical and structured solutions to profitably grow your business.
Take your business to the next level in 3 easy steps:
1. Register your interest in future cohorts to be the first to hear when doors open and grab an earlybird offer when you sign up for our June programme
2. Undertake the weekly training and Q&A sessions to create your personalised 12 month growth plan and then;
3. Tap into your exclusive access to industry experts & community, personalised coaching and an online resource and training hub to keep you on track and accountable to achieve your growth plan.
FAQs
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Revenue generating - proof of concept via a test market is the earliest stage for this programme.
Team of <5. You are likely wearing many hats working in the business as well as on the business.
High growth aspirations for the next 12-24 months
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The accelerator is an approved service with the Regional Business Partner network meaning you may qualify for co-funding for this programme. Please reach out to us to learn more
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To deliver a high-quality, high value programme, the number of participants in each cohort will be strictly limited with a maximum of 20.
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There may well be other founders in similar categories but if there is a specific competitor you would not want to be in the same cohort as then please let us know. We use breakout groups throughout the programme so in the past we have ensured if there are brands targeting similar consumers then we can split out interactions and conversations via the breakout rooms. That said, it isn’t a concern for others, just do let us know if this is something you’re concerned about.
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Absolutely! From the Accelerator you will be invited to join the Rise Growth Seekers Community.
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We have three cohorts planned for 2025. Feb, May and September intakes.
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The Food & Beverage Accelerator stands out by offering a structured approach and personalised coaching specifically tailored to the food and beverage industry.
Unlike other programs, our approach is deeply rooted in Food & Beverage industry expertise and focuses on developing a clear growth and scale-up strategy before getting into tactics.
This ensures that your business activities are always aligned with long-term goals.
This programme is also channel agnostic meaning that you may operate in D2C, specialty retail, grocery, foodservice etc. We ensure your channel strategy is focused on meeting your consumers where and when they are needing your solution.
Our programme adapts to your unique needs, providing continuous support through training, coaching, access to a network of industry experts and community, as well as practical tools to help you overcome challenges and take advantage of opportunities.
With the Food & Beverage Accelerator, you’re not just participating in an accelerator - you’re gaining a committed growth partner & community dedicated to taking your business to the next level.
We believe it is the most comprehensive food & beverage accelerator in the country.
“Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together”
- James Cash Penney, founder of JC Penney