Reimagined frozen foods on trend in next Cultivate program
Seedlab Australia has announced the next wave of FMCG businesses joining its 12th round of the Cultivate program, with 13 ambitious founders selected to take part in the five-month retail-readiness accelerator beginning 28 October 2025.
The Cultivate 12 cohort reflects a fresh mix of solo founders and established small businesses, including four that already supply Woolworths. From functional wellness and flavour-forward food to ritual-based self-care, these brands are reimagining how products can connect comfort, culture and practicality. Think premium frozen dumplings for weeknight ease, smoked BBQ meats that turn backyard cooking into a social ritual and caffeine-free coffee designed for mindful mornings.
According to Seedlab COO Kenna MacTavish, this round signals a shift from functional wellness branding to deeper, more sensory storytelling.
“We’re seeing a wave of founders who want to bring pleasure back to the everyday, whether that’s through a morning coffee, a skincare routine or a Sunday BBQ. There’s an indulgence to this cohort that feels grounded and grown-up. They’re not preaching wellness; they’re designing products that feel good, taste good, and make sense in real, everyday life,” MacTavish said.
One of the strongest trends emerging from Cultivate 12 is the reimagining of frozen food.
From Chur Bol BBQ’s slow-smoked meats to Dumpling Cheers’ authentic Chinese street-style dumplings and Gut Comfort’s gut-friendly frozen treats, this cohort is challenging long-held perceptions about frozen being ‘less than’.
“The freezer aisle is having its redemption moment. For a long time, Australians equated frozen with compromise. But with cost-of-living pressures reshaping how people cook and shop, frozen is now where quality meets convenience. These brands aren’t cutting corners; they’re freezing craftsmanship,” MacTavish said.
The Cultivate 12 founders represent a mix of regional and trans-Tasman entrepreneurs, spanning New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and New Zealand. Many are solo operators entering the next stage of their retail journey, seeking not only commercial tools but a sense of shared momentum.
Over the next five months, they’ll take part in bespoke Seedlab workshops in cost and margin analysis, packaging design, logistics and consumer activation, all built around practical, real-world scaling.
“It’s not just about sharpening business strategy. For many of these founders, Cultivate is the first time they’ve had peers who get it, people juggling production runs, parenting and pitch decks at the same time. That community is as valuable as the tools and frameworks they get,” MacTavish added.
Cultivate 12 features Australian and New Zealand names, including Bondi Beach Balm, Byron Bay Chilli Company, L’Authentique, Not Coffee, The Four Saucemen and Wholly Shrink!.
The program leads into Seedlab’s annual EXPO 2026, where founders will present their brands directly to buyers and category managers.
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