(Photo | courtesy of Cultivate Bend)
Cultivate Bend launches Cultivate LIVE! 2025, the only growth summit for natural product and consumer packaged goods (CPG) founders, service providers, and industry enthusiasts in Central Oregon. Slated for October 14, 2025 in Bend, this focused gathering brings together 150-200 entrepreneurs, industry veterans, and visionaries for a full day of strategic learning, bold pitches, and powerful networking designed to help early- and scaling brands grow smarter, faster, and more resilient.
Cultivate LIVE! is also part of the High Desert Innovation Week, a region-wide effort (October 13-17) to bring together innovator,s startups, and resources across sectors in Central Oregon. This alignment amplifies the impact of the summit and broadens the reach of attendees and partners alike.
What to Expect at Cultivate LIVE!
- Keynote Speaker – Mark Maggio
Industry pioneer, co-founder of Boulder Canyon, visionary leader behind multiple high-growth CPG brands, and current CEO of Madhava Foods, Mark Maggio will deliver core insights on scaling brands, navigating buy/sell transactions, and thriving in competitive markets. Cultivate Bend - Pitch Slam
Up to five Cultivate Bend member brands will take the stage to present a 5-minute business pitch to a panel of national CPG judges — which includes experts like Bill Capsalis, Sara Schor, Natalie Wieder, and Karmen Olson. Each presenter will receive detailed, live feedback on strategy, branding, product positioning, and business challenges. Cultivate Bend - Community Marketplace
Attendees will sample, taste, and engage with a wide variety of local natural products from Cultivate Bend members. A chance to connect directly with brand stories, product innovations, and potential collaborators. Cultivate Bend - Happy Hour & After-Hours Networking
To cap off the day with an informal Happy Hour, providing speakers, panelists, entrepreneurs, and attendees a relaxed environment to reflect, build relationships, and explore partnership opportunities. Cultivate Bend
Why This Matters
Natural product and CPG founders often face steep barriers: figuring out distribution, refining product stories, scaling production, securing investment, and building systems that avoid guesswork. Cultivate LIVE! is built to meet those needs — not just inspire, but deliver tactical takeaways, real feedback, and connections that move the business forward.
Cultivate Bend’s mission has always centered on strengthening the natural products CPG community in Central Oregon. This summit is the embodiment of that mission: bringing soft benefits (community, inspiration) together with hard results (business growth, merchandising insights, investment readiness).
Who Should Attend
- Early-to-mid stage CPG brand founders seeking clarity on scaling, cost control, and distribution
- Local entrepreneurs in the natural products space ready to pitch, learn, and grow
- Investors, buyers, and service providers who support, equip, or collaborate with growing brands
Registration & Participation
Ticket sales, booth opportunities, and Pitch Slam applications are open now via Eventbrite and the Cultivate Bend website. Interested brands, sponsors, or media should visit cultivatebend.com/cultivate-live to learn more. Member brands have priority for Marketplace booths.
About Cultivate Bend:
Cultivate Bend is the leading local organization dedicated to uplifting natural product and CPG entrepreneurs in Central Oregon. Through community, resources, education, and partnership, it empowers brands to grow resiliently, skip costly missteps, and make meaningful economic impact.
