Albertsons Companies Announces
Winners of the 2026 Innovation Launchpad Competition
Albertsons Companies is proud to announce the winners of our 2026 Albertsons
Companies Innovation Launchpad, the company’s fourth annual competition designed to spotlight emerging and
innovative brands across food, beverage and pet care.
Since its debut in 2022, more than 2,700 brands have entered the Innovation Launchpad
and the months-long program has become a powerful platform for entrepreneurs to connect directly with Albertsons
Companies’ merchandising teams, opening doors to national exposure, cash awards and other prizes, and potential
distribution across our family of stores. This year’s competition continued that momentum, drawing hundreds of
applications from brands eager to bring the next generation of products to customers nationwide.
A National Stage for Emerging Brands
The 2026 Albertsons Companies Innovation Launchpad invited brands focused on
fast-growing and consumer-driven areas such as functional beverages, hydration, low sugar and low carb products,
protein solutions, fiber-enhanced offerings, global flavors and healthy snacking. Companies with strong
direct-to-consumer strategies and active influencer engagement were especially encouraged to apply.
From the applicant pool that entered starting in November 2025, 60 brands were
selected earlier this year to present their products to a panel of Albertsons Companies leaders at the Launchpad
event on March 3. Finalists showcased their innovations live at the event held the day before the Natural
Products Expo West kicked off in Anaheim, California. Albertsons Companies judges evaluated each brand’s product
quality, differentiation and growth potential.
Celebrating the 2026 Innovation Launchpad Winners
Our top three 2026 winners accepted their prize checks at the event and will receive
other prizes valued at more than $400,000 in total. This combination of cash awards with industry services is
designed to help accelerate these emerging brands’ own growth and scale. Winning brands may also be considered
for distribution across Albertsons Companies’ banners nationwide.
Winners accepted their checks at the event with Mark Laryea, president,
Merchandising, and Demetri Pantazes, group vice president, National Merchandising, Center Store.
|
🏆 Grand Prize Winner
1st Place
|
|
|
|
Albertsons Cos. Mark Laryea, Joe Rotondo and Drew DiSpirito from
Smearcase, and Albertsons Cos. Demetri Pantazes.
|
|
Smearcase
A high-protein ice cream, powered by cottage cheese with 40+ grams of
protein, half the fat and calories of normal ice cream, nothing artificial, and boosted with
collagen.
|
| |
|
|
2nd Place Winner
|
|
|
|
Ilay Karateke from BEZI during the 2026 Launchpad event.
|
|
BEZI
A healthier alternative to dips and cream cheese, it delivers the
same protein as cream cheese or hummus with 30-40% less fat and calories thanks its cultured
dairy dip labneh.
|
| |
|
|
3rd Place Winner
|
|
|
|
Albertsons Cos. Mark Laryea, Sara Loewel and Jesse Clurman and Lauren
H. from Croots, and Albertsons Cos. Demetri Pantazes.
|
|
Croots
A snack food rooted in artisan sourdough, made with bold flavors and
real ingredients, built for obsession-level crunch.
|
Hear from our winners.
Supporting Innovation Across Our Stores
Each year, the Albertsons Companies Innovation Launchpad brings together some of
America’s best, on-trend, emerging brands. They’re judged by our panel of experts from across our national and
division teams representing product purchasing decision-makers and business leaders responsible for bringing
innovative products to our family of store banners which includes Albertsons, Safeway, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, ACME,
Pavilions, United, Andronico’s, Kings Food Markets, Balducci’s Market, Market Street and Haggen.
By connecting innovative brands with our merchants and customers, the Innovation
Launchpad reflects Albertsons Companies’ ongoing commitment to bringing differentiated, high-quality products to
our shelves, raising the bar and supporting entrepreneurs shaping the future of food.
Share this story on LinkedIn and on
Instagram.