Be Daring, Not Chicken with Ross Mackay, Co-Founder & CEO of Daring
Stairway to CEO
· with Ross Mackay
· October 27, 2020
· 59 min
Summary
Ross Mackay, co-founder of Daring, shares the playbook for rapid growth in the CPG food space. Learn how Daring secured nationwide retail distribution and an $8M Series A in its first year by focusing on product innovation, strategic partnerships, and a compelling brand story. This episode is a masterclass in aggressive market entry and fundraising for ambitious food entrepreneurs.
Key takeaways
To achieve rapid retail distribution, focus on differentiating your product through taste, nutrition, and sustainability to appeal to both consumers and retailers.
Develop a compelling brand narrative that highlights your mission and resonates with venture capitalists to attract significant funding, as Daring did with its $8M Series A.
Leverage diverse entrepreneurial experiences, even seemingly unrelated ones like launching a menswear brand or working in branding, to build a unique skillset for navigating the CPG market.
Prioritize product innovation to create high-quality, plant-based alternatives that can compete with traditional products and capture mainstream consumer appeal.
Adopt a 'Be Daring' mindset by taking calculated risks and demonstrating resilience, which is crucial for overcoming challenges in the competitive food industry.
Themes
brand strategyentrepreneurial journeyretail strategyventure capital
Founded in 2018, Daring produces plant-based chicken with a mission to create a more sustainable, delicious, and nutritious option for chicken loving consumers. In just their first year in the US, Daring has already locked in nationwide retail partners, including Sprouts, Gelson's, and Bristol Farms and recently closed an $8 million series A round led by Maveron Ventures. In this episode, Ross shares with us his entrepreneurial journey from dropping out of college, to working at a branding agency in the UK, to launching a menswear brand in the Middle East, to partnering with his friend, Elliott, to build Daring.
Frequently asked about this episode
What does this episode say about brand strategy?
To achieve rapid retail distribution, focus on differentiating your product through taste, nutrition, and sustainability to appeal to both consumers and retailers.
What does this episode say about entrepreneurial journey?
Develop a compelling brand narrative that highlights your mission and resonates with venture capitalists to attract significant funding, as Daring did with its $8M Series A.
What does this episode say about retail strategy?
Leverage diverse entrepreneurial experiences, even seemingly unrelated ones like launching a menswear brand or working in branding, to build a unique skillset for navigating the CPG market.
What does this episode say about venture capital?
Prioritize product innovation to create high-quality, plant-based alternatives that can compete with traditional products and capture mainstream consumer appeal.
What does this episode say about brand strategy?
Adopt a 'Be Daring' mindset by taking calculated risks and demonstrating resilience, which is crucial for overcoming challenges in the competitive food industry.
