EPG Brand Acceleration is seeking beverage entrepreneurs and up-and-coming products within the alcohol industry for its second-annual Beverage Incubator program. Spirits, wines, beers, RTDs and non-alcohol products are all welcome to enter.
All nominees will receive customized feedback from EPG’s expert team of editors and industry consultants, as well as complimentary data reports.
Four finalists will be selected to present their products to a panel of industry experts at the 2025 Beverage Week in Annapolis in June.
Two winners will gain valuable exposure to all three tiers of the industry with a prize of $100,000 to spend on EPG’s suite of marketing, advertising and sponsorship solutions.
2024 Beverage Incubator Brands:
IVeinte Spirits, Inspiro Tequila
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY
See photos from the first-ever Beverage Incubator live presentations at Beverage Week in Chicago in the gallery below:
Who is Eligible?
In order to enter, brands must be in development or have recently come onto the market (within the last 3 years). They must have sold (or be projected to sell) fewer than 20,000 9-liter cases in the U.S. during 2024.
How do I Enter?
Entries for the 2025 Beverage Incubator can be submitted USING THIS LINK. The entry form includes:
- General product information (MSRP and ABV)
- Business/growth plan
- Marketing materials
- Sample bottle
- $495 entry fee, payable by credit card
What is the Judging Process?
Entries will be judged by EPG’s trade publication editors, data analysts and outside industry experts. All entrants will receive detailed feedback about their business plan and marketing strategy, plus a custom data report from EPG Specialty Information. All entrants may also attend Beverage Week in Annapolis for a discounted registration rate of $495.
Four entries will be chosen to present their product at the 2025 Beverage Week in Annapolis in June in front of a panel of judges representing various tiers and channels in the industry. They will also receive 1 free registration to the conference, and a tasting table in our exhibit hall to provide samples to Beverage Week attendees. AND they’ll receive a free silver-level sponsorship to exhibit their product at Beverage Week 2026.
Two winning brands will be chosen (one by audience vote and one by the judging panel) to enter the EPG Beverage Incubator. They will receive a package of complimentary marketing and advertising from EPG Brand Acceleration valued at $100,000. Winners will also be featured in EPG’s suite of trade publications – Beverage Dynamics, Cheers, StateWays and Beverage Wholesaler.
Additional Entry Rules
Brands must submit all information requested in order to be eligible. Entrant agrees to attend Beverage Week if selected to present. Entrant agrees to participate in a case study interview in early 2026 detailing the brand’s growth during its time in the EPG Beverage Incubator. All entries are final and non-refundable.
Questions?
Contact Beverage Information Group SVP Jeremy Nedelka at jnedelka@epgacceleration.com or 763-383-4413.
