Innovation
The role of R&D and innovation in foods and beverages is more critical now than ever before. Think about how your local grocers’ shelves have changed just in the past few years, with innovation leading the way in important new trends:
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Consumer Trends
Natural, Organic,
Non-GMO, Gluten-Free,
Fair Trade Offerings,
Clean Label -
Functionality
Energy, satiety,
digestion, relaxation,
recovery -
Processes
High pressure processing
(HPP), cold brew coffee
and teas, fermentation
(kombuchas) -
New Ingredients
Dairy alternatives: almond,
rice, coconut milk
Vegetable protein
Omega-3’s, Amino acids
Philosophy
We bring experience, clarity and direction to your new product innovation:
Experience
Our food scientists and lab technicians have produced award winning new products. They have a keen understanding of ingredients, flavor and functional trends, natural and organic applications, GRAS and supplement implications, and know how to maximize flavor and sensory appeal in any application.
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Clarity
We begin with the end in mind. We first want to understand your goals and objectives, starting with the consumer target for your new product. We then discuss every element of your concept or product to gain alignment on your consumer value proposition, brand positioning, competitive advantage, retail price goals, packaging and processing options, and margin implications.
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Direction
We understand you are not just creating a product, you are building a business. Our goal is to make sure you are on the right path based on how you want to grow your business – that path may include prototypes to engage investors or focus group research, a small pilot batch run for regional test market, or a full scale production run.
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Our streamlined process gets you from concept to shelf FAST and INFORMED, so you can make the best decisions for your new brand and company.
Engagement
Simply give us a call or submit an online form – we’ll start with a conversation about your project and your goals as a company. We’ll enter into an easy-to-understand agreement, then kick-off the project with a comprehensive Project Briefing with our cross-functional team. Generally within 10-12 business days you will receive your first round of bench samples for review. Concurrently we will research your supply chain, container and processing options.
Insights
Your Project Briefing will bring everyone together on all aspects of the project, as well as identify areas where additional insights may be helpful to the process. Understanding consumer trends is important, understanding your core target consumer is essential. Who are they? Where do they shop? What are they currently purchasing? Gaining consumer insight informs the direction of development to an optimized finished product.
R&D
Our development team includes food scientists, branding and design experts, and sales and marketing professionals. A cross functional team will be assigned to your project based on scope and needs, with a project manager leading the process and providing clear communication throughout. Timelines will be established with clarity on deliverables and milestones. This R&D stage concludes with a final formulation, supply chain, branding, and/or design based on your project needs. A project concludes with a transfer of all Intellectual Property created by Ocean Blue Innovation to you. We make sure you are clear on your next steps as a company, whether that may include full-scale production, investor presentations, buyer meetings, focus groups, or a regional test market.
Product Launch!
Once R&D is complete, we can continue to be a resource for your on-going business needs. Our goal is to ensure you have the best strategy to get your new brand onto store shelves in the most cost-effective and timely manner possible, without sacrificing product quality or integrity.