Launch Your Brand Forward
BCB Brooklyn Brand Accelerator
Pitch Competition
Presented By:
WHAT IS THE BRAND ACCELERATOR PITCH COMPETITION?
The BCB Brooklyn Brand Accelerator Pitch Competition presented by Women of the Vine & Spirits®, is more than a live pitch — it’s a strategic platform designed to spotlight emerging beverage brands and connect them with the industry leaders, decision-makers, and resources that can fuel your next stage of growth.
Participants get the chance to pitch directly to an expert panel of judges and gain access to an exclusive package of mentorship, consulting, distribution support, legal guidance, PR services, and industry memberships — all curated to help brands accelerate their business trajectory.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
The competition is open to 2026 BCB Brooklyn exhibiting brands meeting one or more of the following:
- Emerging Brands Pavilion exhibitor at BCB Brooklyn (or)
- First-time exhibitor at BCB Brooklyn (or)
- Companies with less than 5 years in business
SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN!
Submissions for the 2026 Brand Accelerator Pitch Competition are NOW OPEN!
Showcase your beverage brand to industry voices and take your place among the next generation of innovators.
Submission Deadline: May 6, 2026
COMPETITION TIMELINE
Submission
Period
March 30 – May 6
Review
Period
May 7 - May 27
Finalists
Announced
May 28
Competition & Winner
Announcement
June 10
WHAT TO EXPECT ON COMPETITION DAY?
Finalists will deliver a 5-minute pitch to a distinguished panel of judges and be evaluated on:
Market Viability
What potential does your brand have?
Creativity
How innovative and original is your concept?
Brand Story
What makes your story compelling and inspiring?
Presentation
Your ability to pitch clearly and effectively.
Taste
After all, it’s all about the product.
THE PRIZING PACKAGE
Developed and delivered by Women of the Vine & Spirits® in collaboration with their network of dedicated Corporate Members the winner receives an unparalleled suite of professional services and access — including mentorship, consulting, PR services, distribution support, legal guidance, and industry memberships from leading partners in the beverage space.
BCB Brooklyn
Credit toward participation in the 2027 BCB Brooklyn show.
Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS)
Complimentary Craft Membership.
MHW
Credit towards importation, distribution, or BrandArc development services.
Women of the Vine & Spirits®
Complimentary Associate Corporate Membership to global membership organization.
Barnes Beverage Group
Three-hour strategic advisory session designed to ensure your brand is built on a strong legal and operational foundation. This working session will focus on the critical legal and structural considerations for early-stage beverage alcohol brands, including corporate formation and governance (with an eye toward investment readiness), launch and distribution planning, and essential brand protections such as trademark strategy, labeling, and regulatory compliance.
Barrel & Bloom Agency
Focused strategic growth engagement designed to help strengthen route to market strategy within the U.S. This engagement will equip the winning brand with practical tools and strategic clarity to accelerate growth in both hospitality and retail channels. Including: Three Strategic Growth Sessions; Route-to-Market & Distributor Readiness Review; and Strategic Growth Summary & Action Plan.
Double Forte
PR Services to include overall assessment of brand positioning in category, including recommendation for engaging media and influencer audiences; An outlined media outreach strategy; One trade press release**; and two rounds of media follow-up and coordination with team for any sample requests by the media.
*For a fee, the winner can pay for distribution of the press release over a PR wire service to be managed by Double Forte.
WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU SHINE
BCB Brooklyn and Women of the Vine & Spirits® believe in the power of community and innovation. This competition is part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the next generation of beverage leaders and industry changemakers.
Sponsor: Reed Exhibitions, a division of RELX Inc. and Women of the Vine & Spirits