/ About this event
Consumer brands are being built under new rules. Discovery has moved to social, distribution is won on attention rather than shelf space, and capital has grown selective as investment concentrates elsewhere. The brands that endure are the ones that get product, channel, supply chain, and story right at the same time.
Join Sunstone Venture & Innovation Center, SHOPLINE, The Well Network, and partners including Silicon Valley Bank for a morning to afternoon on what it actually takes to build a consumer brand that lasts. Two panels — one with founders who are actively scaling, one with the experts who work across the consumer value chain — alongside a showcase floor featuring 20+ emerging DTC brands.
The Panels Founders Panel — Building From Zero Consumer founders on what actually moved the needle and what they'd do differently: finding early traction, building a brand people repeat-buy, navigating social commerce and creator channels, and the operational realities of manufacturing, inventory, and cash. Join Harley (founder of Thanks! Naturals and former attorney) and Beau (founder of AmorSui and trained chemist) as they share what actually moved the needle for their consumer brands.
Expert and Investor Panel — What It Takes to Scale Experts in the systems behind durable brands: supply chain and landed cost, retail and marketplace expansion, performance and creator marketing, and what investors are underwriting in consumer today. Join us with Jasmine (SVP of Investment Operations at Sunstone Management), Lawrence (Co-Founder at Misfit Venture Partners), Paul (CEO at Butterpie Venture Studio), and Jarret (Managing Partner at Vibrant Consumer) to discover what it really takes to achieve profitable scale and secure venture backing in today’s market.
This event will be concluded with a founder and brand pop-up market as well as a networking session.
Equity Opportunity SHOPLINE is offering up to $50K in equity investment and resources to help established and emerging brands unlock their digital potential as they join the SHOPLINE platform.
Founded in 2013, SHOPLINE offers comprehensive unified commerce solutions for merchants, including e-commerce, social commerce, point-of-sale, and a customer relationship management suite. Trusted by over 700,000+ merchants, SHOPLINE serves esteemed brands such as Z-gallery, Duolingo Asia, Wilson Malaysia, Denby Pottery, and many more worldwide. Headquartered in Singapore, SHOPLINE operates globally with a dedicated team of approximately 2,000 employees.
Thanks to our sponsors at Silicon Valley Bank, The Lew Firm, Ritual Ads, and partners. Starting in October 2026, Silicon Valley Bank will be rebranding to First Citizens Innovation Banking.
Parking Instructions: Enter at Gate 2 (the first left off Allah Road, across from Home Depot). Parking is available onsite for $23.
Accessing the Lab: Follow signage for the Verizon Innovation Lab. The space is located upstairs in Suite 500 Walk along the side of the building parallel to Jefferson Blvd Enter through the double doors Take the stairs up to Suite 500
This event is a part of #LATechWeek, a week of events hosted by VCs and startups to bring together the tech ecosystem. Learn more at www.tech-week.com.
By registering for this event, attendees consent to the use of photographs and video footage taken during the event for promotional and communications purposes.
