Founder Feature: Ariel Altman and Ronny Berger of Figa Foods
The Startup CPG Podcast
Startup CPG
4.9 • 642 Ratings
🗓️ 1 August 2025
⏱️ 47 minutes
🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Editor Caitlin Bricker speaks with Ariel Altman and Ronny Berger, co-founders of Figa Foods, a company introducing cupuaçu—a Brazilian superfruit seed—as a sustainable and innovative alternative to traditional chocolate. Ariel and Ronny share their journey of discovering cupuaçu, building a supply chain from Brazil, and navigating the challenges of bringing a novel ingredient to the U.S. market.
They also explore the global cocoa crisis, the environmental benefits of cupuaçu, and how Figa Foods is positioned to offer a meaningful alternative in the confectionery space. Additionally, Ariel and Ronny reflect on their experiences as co-founders and life partners, offering valuable insights for first-time entrepreneurs in the CPG industry.
Listen in to learn how Figa Foods is carving out a new category in confectionery—rooted in sustainability, transparency, and global inspiration.
Listen in as they share about:
- Product Overview
- Cupuaçu as a Superfood
- Supply Chain and Farmer Partnerships
- Challenges in Product Development
- Business and Personal Partnership
- Cocoa Crisis
- Launch and Market Response
- Future Vision & Advice for Founders
Episode Links:
Website: https://figafoods.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariel-altman-396b922b/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronnyberger/Â
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Show Links:
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- Episode music by Super Fantastics
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Transcript
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| 1:47.5 | We really tried to just speak to as many people as we could that we knew in Brazil. |
| 1:56.5 | We got connected to researchers and chocolate like executives and chefs and lawyers and like chocolate makers. And everyone that we spoke to basically said, good luck, you're never going to make this taste good, |
| 2:03.1 | and you're never going to figure out the supply chain. And it wasn't until we met our chocolate |
| 2:08.8 | maker. And I'll never forget the first conversation that we had with her, she was like, |
| 2:13.0 | this is the future of chocolate. I've always wanted to work with Kupuu. We're going to make this |
... |
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