Our Standout Start-Up Award Finalists and How They’re Making Their Mark – Lion’s Den 2023

We just held our Lion’s Den Start-up entrepreneurship event at the Dublin Food Chain Producer Showcase, where we teamed up with the four Dublin LEO’s. This time, we had two categories: one for the newer brands in business for two years (Start-Up Award) and another for those in the game for two to five years (Excellence Award). There were six finalists who had the task of pitching their product to our panel of three judges. And who stole the show? Born Again Bites and Zingbeer!

The start-up game at Lion’s Den this year was fierce. All the finalists, who’ve been in the business for less than two years, brought their A-game. Born Again Bites, Tae Tea and Fairmental were in the ring, with Born Again Bites winning the title.

Wellness and Flavour Infused Tea

First up, Tae Tea, a healthy tea that can be enjoyed hot or cold. Packed with health perks, changing flavour notes, and beautiful refillable packaging, this sustainable tea is a game-changer. Tara spilled the tea about her packaging glow-up, featuring a baby pink box and a peekaboo slot for the tea bags.

Gut-Loving Veggies

Next up, Fairmental took the show with their fermenting expertise, showcasing the star of the show, “Kraut-chi.” This ferment packed with veggies and chillies, is a gut health superhero, and it’s sourced locally. Val, the chef behind Fairmental, chatted with Andrew afterward, expressing his optimism about the future and the potential for collaboration with other brands.

Yummy By-Product Bites

Finally, our winner, Born Again Bites, stole the show with their sustainability agenda, earning them a €6,000 digital marketing prize. Their peanut and chocolate bites, crafted from the by-product “brewer spent grain,” are not just tasty but also an eco-friendly snack. Dive into our winners article to get the full scoop from Born Again Bites.

In a nutshell, the Lion’s Den Start-Up competition was a showcase of entrepreneurial brilliance. Each finalist brought a unique and valuable flavour to the mix, making the final decision tough for the judges. We’re eagerly anticipating the continued growth and success of Born Again Bites, Tae Tea and Fairmental. Brace yourselves; these start-ups are about to make some serious waves in the industry! 

Check out our other articles on our Judges, Excellence Award finalists and our two winners Born Again Bites and Zingibeer. Find out more about Lion’s Den at lionsden.ie or through our Lion’s Den Instagram and follow our socials – Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter. Also check out our youtube channel where we’re posting all of our interviews from Lion’s Den in full!