We ignite
business growth.
Experienced CPG innovation experts focused on launching brands & accelerating growth.
Project Leadership
Fractional Resources
Unparalleled Agility
Our mission is to help food & beverage companies uncover breakthrough opportunities, unlock value and propel their brands to new heights. We thrive on cutting through ambiguity and delivering immediate impact for clients with a results-driven approach.
Inadequate Resources & Capability Gaps
Limited Budget & Fear of Failure
Lack of Innovation / Stage Gate Process
Innovation Roadblocks May Be Stalling Your Growth
Unlock Your Potential With Our Range Of Services
We shine a light on untapped opportunities and accelerate growth through customized, strategic solutions.
Investigate
Learn & Analyze
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Market & Trend Assessment
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Competitive Analysis
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White Space Identification
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Need State Mapping
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Platform Development
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Qualitative Research
Innovate
Design & Develop
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Ideation & Brainstorming
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Co-Creation Sessions
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Idea Screening
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Concept Writing
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Concept Validation
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Portfolio & Pipeline Roadmaps
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Package Structure & Design
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Brand Naming & Positioning
Ignite
Plan & Implement
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Size of Prize Forecasting
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P&L Development
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Holistic Go-To-Market Plan
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Marketing Activation Strategy
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Product Development Mgt
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Graphics Design Management
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Co-Manufacturing Search
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Scale Up & Commercialization
Innovation Capabilities
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Capabilities Evaluation
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Organizational Design
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Work Surge or Gap Fill Projects
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Team Development & Coaching
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Stage Gate Process Design
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Training & Workshops
Our Shining Track Record
We take pride in successfully creating iconic brands and launching more than 400 new products across a wide range of CPG categories.
Illuminating Case Studies
Some examples of how we've helped brands sparkle
Setting Strategic Direction During Leadership Transition
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Targeted Pet Care engaged Illuminate Growth Partners to develop strategic relaunch options for one of our brands at a time when we were recruiting for an open VP of Marketing role. Illuminate quickly stepped in to guide us through its process to evaluate and develop differentiated relaunch scenarios. They conducted an in-depth evaluation of our brand, providing us with roadmap options for consideration and growth.
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Their deliverables included a thorough consumer landscape analysis, new umbrella brand positioning, product line extensions, and three testable concepts with support materials that define and differentiate them. They facilitated collaborative brainstorming sessions that led to the creation of an optimized brand architecture, setting the stage for a successful relaunch.
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Thanks to Illuminate’s work, we now have a clear path for sustainable growth in a highly competitive market. I highly recommend Illuminate Growth Partners to any company looking for innovative and hands-on marketing support.
Matt Miller, CEO
Targeted PetCare
New innovation process = faster development and quicker to market
Challenge: Company not able to execute innovation cohesively or quickly due to few innovation processes and unstructured new product pipeline strategy
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Created and instituted customized stage-gate process
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Led ideation and testing of new products and line extension concepts with 5 proceeding to launch
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Developed product & packaging strategies for short & long-term pipelines over 2 yrs
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Developed, designed packaging and launched new products in 4 months
Created a breakthrough RTD Beverage category & products for Gen Z
Challenge: How does an established brand tap into the fast-growing experiential snacking trend with young consumers?
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Led strategy, testing, concepting and development of a new brand from Del Monte Foods that would resonate with Gen Z and younger Millennials
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Created brand positioning and name, winning flavor combinations, award-winning package design & structure to mimic the boba shop experience
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Go-to-market plan achieved 3x velocity expectations; with demand outstripping supply in the first 6 months
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Developed 3-year product pipeline & growth plan
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On track to be Del Monte’s most successful innovation launch
Launched transformative foodtech brand with innovative products
Challenge: Foodtech startup seeking to establish brand in ground-breaking protein-based sweetener category.
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Created Oobli™ Chocolate Bars and Oobli™ Sweet Iced Teas - developed formulas, package structure and design
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Secured multiple new co-manufacturing facilities
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Established supply chain & procurement practices
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Led sweet protein ingredient application with international food & beverage brands
Introduced a new brand and treats category; achieved $180M in 2 years
Challenge: How to tap into the humanistic-pet relationship with new and exciting dog treats
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Identified trends, consumer segments, and strategized “white space” for new human-oriented platforms and products for dog treat category
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Established new category and brand from concept to launch
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Co-led launch team to introduce Milo’s Kitchen Dog Treat brand with cross functional team of R&D, Sales
Our Team
You're in good hands with project teams led by Mario, Kim & Kristine.
Ryan Trammel
VP Financial Planning Analysis
Kinder's
“Mario has the unique ability to build brands & develop products that not only tap into unmet consumer needs but also with an eye on P&L stewardship."
Larry Wu
Entrepreneur; Innovation Director
Innerstave
“The word partner is a great description of Kim. She is the first person I turn to for driving results and when I need input on a brand or consumer-focused strategy.”
Jack Hartley
VP of Healthy Snacking
Del Monte Foods
“Kristine is incredibly strategic & collaborative, and was instrumental in building our innovation strategy and pipeline while streamlining our internal processes & tools to be more agile.”