Course (CEE202P)

CEE 202P: Consumer Products Accelerator – Building and Scaling a Consumer Products Company 

Every Winter Quarter, SCIDR offers CEE 202P, a hands-on accelerator course for students interested in launching and scaling consumer product companies. From the coffee we drink to the sneakers we wear, consumer products shape our daily lives—yet building a successful Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) startup is deceptively challenging. While some companies have achieved remarkable exits and reshaped cultural trends in areas such as organic food, clean beauty, and sustainable packaging, most startups struggle to achieve product-market fit and gain traction.

This course supports students on their entrepreneurial journey, equipping them with the tools to critically evaluate their products, brands, and business models. Each week features guest speakers from across the CPG ecosystem—including exited founders, Series A entrepreneurs, national retail buyers, and venture investors—providing firsthand insights into building, scaling, and innovating in the consumer products space. Students engage directly with these leaders, exploring their lessons learned and visions for the future of consumer products.

Past Courses from SCIDR:

• CEE 102F: Food, Design and Sustainability (Last offered: Spring 2023)

• CEE 213: Human-Centered Sustainability: Startups and Investment (Last offered: Spring 2024)