New Hope Natural Media's Exclusive Online Community for Entrepreneurs Available Free of Charge at nextaccelerator.com

BALTIMORE, Sept. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- New Hope Natural Media today announced its exclusive online community for natural products entrepreneurs, NEXT Accelerator, is available free of charge at nextaccelerator.com. NEXT Accelerator offers entrepreneurs year-round mentorship, insights, tools, and access to the service providers needed to launch new products and poise their businesses for success.

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Entrepreneurs in the natural products industry face many start-up challenges from supply chain decisions to fundraising concerns, but with effective mentoring they are more likely to succeed. The natural products industry is a vibrant community of entrepreneurs with a tremendous willingness to share and help the industry as a whole. NEXT Accelerator allows start-ups to tap into this knowledge 365-days a year to get the support they need to grow and innovate.

Kristy Lewis, co-founder and CEO, Quinn Popcorn said, "We were very lucky that we found partners that believed in our mission, gave us the courage to move forward and pushed us to overcome road blocks. Our company wouldn't be here today without the support and guidance of mentors, entrepreneurs and other companies in this industry."

"From day one everyone was extremely helpful in offering advice and wisdom," commented Elizabeth Stein, Founder Purely Elizabeth. "I'm touched by this to this day and try to do the same for others."

NEXT Accelerator is a robust community that offers:

• Content and video vignettes from experts and respected resources.
• A Service Provider Directory to find highly proven and trusted resources.
• A Community Forum where entrepreneurs can receive reliable answers to critical business questions.
• The NEXT Accelerator Entrepreneur Training Camp fosters valuable education and in-person networking opportunities at Natural Products Expo East and West.
• The NEXT Accelerator Pitch-Slam, a fun, fast-paced event at Natural Products Expo East and West lets entrepreneurs pitch their natural product idea to a panel of four leading natural products investors and brand builders, and receive immediate suggestions for refining their businesses. Three finalists compete for a prize package of goods and services valued at $25,000 including a free booth at Expo East 2015.

"We are very excited that our online community is resonating with entrepreneurs.  With more than 35 years of expertise in the industry, we know that building a natural products company is no easy task. Our mission is to give entrepreneurs the tools they need to improve their chance for success," said Diana Mercer, NEXT Accelerator Community Manager, New Hope Natural Media.

To join the NEXT Accelerator community free of charge, click here.  To sponsor the NEXT Accelerator community, contact Diana Mercer at [email protected].

9 Square Ventures is the NEXT Accelerator site sponsor.  In addition, 9 Square Ventures, Boulder Brands Innovation Group, Abe's Market Velocity Fund, MetaBrand Corporation and Nutrition Capital Network are NEXT Accelerator Pitch-Slam Competition sponsors.

About New Hope Natural Media
New Hope Natural Media is the leading media resource and information provider for the natural, organic and healthy products industry, with print, in-person/event, and e-business products and services.

CONTACT:
Heather Smith
New Hope Natural Media
(303) 998-9232
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE New Hope Natural Media