Kickfurther Expands Access to Inventory Funding for Brands Under $400K in Revenue

Growing a product business has never been about demand alone. It’s also about timing. Founders feel that gap every time a supplier needs payment upfront, while revenue is still weeks or months away. We built Kickfurther to bridge that gap with consignment-based inventory funding that aligns payment to actual sales, not fixed schedules.

Today, we’re making access to that model available to even more emerging brands.

What’s New

Kickfurther is expanding its qualification criteria to support brands with $200,000–$400,000 in trailing twelve-month revenue, as long as they hold purchase orders from national retailers such as Target, Walmart, Costco, Amazon, and others.

This means more early-stage founders can say yes to every opportunity–not just the ones they can afford–with access to inventory funding that doesn’t restrict cash flow.

Why We’re Making This Change

Founders at this stage have proven something important: customers want their product, and now major retailers do too.

What they often don’t have is the working capital to fulfill those large POs without draining cash or taking on personal risk. Traditional financing wasn’t built for this moment:

  • approval is slow
  • payments start immediately
  • and capital is credit-based rather than sales-based

Kickfurther’s model flips that dynamic:

  • We pay your supplier upfront (or fund recent orders) so you can stock up with confidence
  • You pay us back only as the inventory sells, without adding debt to your balance sheet
  • Your working capital stays free for marketing, hiring, or simply stabilizing operations as you grow

Emerging brands with real traction deserve a capital structure that moves at their speed. This update gives them exactly that.

Who Now Qualifies Under the Expanded Criteria

A brand is now eligible if it:

  • Is a US-based company
  • Sells physical products
  • Has at least $200,000 in trailing twelve-month revenue
  • Holds active purchase orders with national retailers (Walmart, Amazon, Target, Costco, etc.)

This update ensures that brands with meaningful retail opportunities are no longer held back by revenue limits.

What This Means for Founders

If you’re building an emerging CPG brand, this expansion means:

You can finally say yes to major purchase orders

Retailers move fast. Cash flow shouldn’t slow you down. Capture every order and unlock volume discounts you may not have been able to reach before.

You don’t have to choose between growth and liquidity

Inventory shouldn’t force you to pull back on marketing, team support, or product development.

You can grow without debt or dilution

Consignment funding keeps your balance sheet clean and your ownership intact.

You get more than capital. You get a partner.

Founders describe Kickfurther as feeling like a “coworking experience,” not a transactional lender. We’re here to help CPG founders grow and succeed—and we’re in it for the long haul.

Why This Matters for the CPG Community

The early-growth stage is where many great brands stall. And it’s not because demand isn’t there; it’s because capital options don’t align with how product businesses actually operate. Long lead times, upfront supplier payments, seasonal shifts, and retailer terms all create friction that traditional financing wasn’t designed for.

Kickfurther’s expansion brings more founders into a model aligned with how their businesses truly work.

Looking Ahead

This is one step in a broader effort to support the full spectrum of CPG builders, from emerging brands proving demand to established operators scaling multi-SKU portfolios. As brands grow, our funding limits and pricing improve with them, creating a long-term partnership that compounds over time.

If your brand now falls within the updated criteria and you’re preparing for your next production run or fulfilling a new retail partnership, we’d love to support you.

Connect with our team to see if Kickfurther’s consignment-based inventory funding is the right fit for your next stage of growth.

How CPG Brands Can Break Into Retail: Top 3 Takeaways From Industry Experts

Expanding into retail isn’t just about having a great product. It’s about understanding how buyers think, navigating operational complexity, and ensuring you have the capital to deliver once the purchase order lands.

In a recent Kickfurther webinar, three seasoned industry experts broke down the end-to-end journey to winning in retail—from getting discovered by buyers to nailing the pitch to funding and fulfilling large POs sustainably.

The conversation featured:

  • Wayne Bennett: SVP of Retail at ECRM & RangeMe, with 30+ years of retail/CPG experience helping brands get discovered
  • Tia Ellis: CEO of Wildflower Insight, who has helped founders sell 150M+ units and trains brands on winning buyer meetings
  • John Donovan: Board Member & Advisor at Kickfurther, a veteran fintech operator helping CPG brands fund and scale their growth

You can watch the full webinar recording here:

Or read on for a summary of the top three takeaways every CPG founder hoping to expand into retail should know.

Get Discovered: Make Sure You’re Truly Retail-Ready

Before you chase buyer meetings, you need to be retail-ready. And that includes operationally, financially, and strategically. Wayne Bennett, SVP of Retail at ECRM/RangeMe, broke it down simply: retailers want four things above all else:

“They want more foot traffic, more shoppers, bigger baskets—and all at less cost.”
— Wayne Bennett, ECRM

To meet that bar, Wayne recommends brands revisit the classic 4 Ps:

  • Product
  • Price
  • Place
  • Promotion

And all with a retail-specific lens.

Retail-readiness checklist from ECRM

Product

  • Shelf-ready packaging
  • Correct barcodes & certifications
  • Shelf life suitable for retailer requirements
  • Manufacturing capacity to scale quickly

 

Price

  • Pricing aligned with category norms
  • Trade spend accounted for
  • Enough margin to support retail economics

 

Place (Distribution Strategy)

  • Clear channel plan
  • Presence (or proof) via marketplaces like Amazon, Walmart.com, or TikTok Shop
  • Ability to ship direct-to-warehouse or DSD

 

Promotion (Your Story)

  • Clear differentiation
  • Compelling RangeMe profile
  • Evidence that consumers already want the product

Wayne emphasized operational preparedness as a key differentiator:

“Can you ship? Can you scale? Can you support the shelf? And most importantly, can you win with the consumer?”
— Wayne Bennett, ECRM

4 ways to Get in Front of Buyers

  1. Use RangeMe to appear in front of hundreds of retailers actively searching for new products
  2. Leverage ECRM category programs for curated 1:1 buyer meetings
  3. Start small to build proof points
  4. Share “snackable” insights—not just product pitches—with buyers to stand out

Being retail-ready is the only way you’ll get a foot in the door and earn that first meeting. And once you have placement in one retail space, it makes future pitches that much easier.

Nail the Buyer Pitch: Show How You Help Them Win

Once you get the buyer meeting, the goal isn’t simply to “present”, it’s to prove that bringing you in will grow their category.

Tia Ellis, Founder of Wildflower Insight knows the buyer mentality well.

“When you strip it all back, the buyer’s job is to grow their category. Your job is to show them how you help them win.”
— Tia Ellis, Wildflower Insight

What Buyers Really Care About

They are not your consumer. They might not taste your beverage, use your skincare, or try your supplement.

They want to know:

  • Why your product is incremental vs. what’s already on shelf
  • Which categories or demographics you pull shoppers from
  • Proof of demand (reviews, social buzz, DTC performance)
  • That you understand operations (shelf life, logistics, LTL vs. FTL, co-man capacity)
  • That you’re a safe bet, not a risk

How to Pitch Like a Pro

Tia advises brands structure their meeting like a strategic conversation as opposed to a monologue. She recommends breaking it down like this:

  1. 10 minutes for the pitch
  2. 5 minutes for rapport building
  3. 5 minutes for Q&A

Key proof points to include:

  • Category trends (“Functional beverages grew X% in the last 2 years…”)
  • Traffic-driving differentiation (“We attract shoppers you’re not currently capturing…”)
  • Social proof (“We’ve done 1.2M views on TikTok and convert 4% organically…”)
  • Current wins (“We’re performing 30% above category in our first regional retailer…”)

Follow-Up Strategy That Works

Another pro-tip Tia shared during that panel is that, instead of begging for attention (“Just following up…”):

“Share a win. Something exciting. Something positive. Make them your cheerleader.”

— Tia Ellis, Wildflower Insight

Exciting brand milestones that buyers might care about include:

  • New product launch
  • Successful week-over-week sales growth
  • Award or press feature
  • New distribution or influencer partnership

And don’t forget the Golden Retail Rule. Grow in this order:

  1. DTC
  2. Local
  3. Regional
  4. National

“You don’t want your first big retailer to be your first big mistake.”
— Tia Ellis, Wildflower Insight

Fund the PO: Build Capital Structure for Sustainable and Controlled Retail Growth

Winning a PO is exciting, but it can break a company if they aren’t financially prepared.

John Donovan, Board Member and Advisor for Kickfurther, has seen many brands underestimate the cash required throughout his career.

“Most founders try to fund growth with the same dollars they use for day-to-day operations. That’s a challenge.”
— John Donovan, Kickfurther

John recommends that after you get the PO, you should do this immediately:

Take a breath and congratulate yourself! Winning a PO from a big retailer is a big deal 🥳

But then map out the cash flow ASAP. Determine:

  • Production costs
  • Lead times
  • Working capital required before sell-through
  • Payment timing (especially for 30/60/90-day retailer terms)
  • Model sell-through scenarios (best, expected, slow)

Avoid overextending and don’t bet the business on one massive rollout.

Controlled Growth vs. Chaotic Growth

John warns that a common mistake is saying yes to everything.

“Growth should be controlled, not chaotic.”
— John Donovan, Kickfurther

Tia offered a really helpful script founders can use to set themselves up for controlled and scalable growth with retail partners: “We’d love to partner with you, but to ensure we perform long-term, can we start with a regional test of your top 20–100 stores?”

Retailers respect this maturity. It shows you’re thinking like a strategic partner, not a desperate vendor.

Have Your Finances Ready Before The Meeting

Having a capital strategy for your retail POs should begin before the meeting starts.

“If you’re presenting to a large retailer, come prepared—have your financing ready before the meeting.”
— Tia Ellis, Wildflower Insight

Consider the type of funding that will help make your financials look their best. For example, consignment inventory funding from Kickfurther is aligned to sales cycles and can give you a competitive edge during pitches to big buyers since it doesn’t impact your balance sheet.

“We tie funding to when the goods actually sell—not when you produce them.”
— John Donovan, Kickfurther

This allows brands to:

  • Accept larger POs
  • Unlock volume pricing tiers
  • Restock faster than competitors
  • Keep working capital free for marketing and hiring

Preparedness Is the 5th P

Throughout the webinar, a new unofficial “P” kept surfacing: Preparedness.

  • Preparedness before you pitch.
  • Preparedness before you accept a PO.
  • Preparedness before you scale nationwide.

If you’re retail-ready, pitch-ready, and capital-ready, you position your brand not only to win shelf space, but to stay on the shelf.

Ready to expand into retail? Reach out to a member of our team and see if you’re eligible for inventory consignment funding with Kickfurther.

Amazon Conversion Rate Optimization: The Best Ways to Maximize Sales

Serious Amazon sellers already know that visibility alone doesn’t equal success. You can rank high for the right keywords, optimize your listings for search, and drive tons of impressions, yet still fall short of the one metric that matters most: conversion rate.

Amazon is highly competitive simply because customers can compare dozens of similar products with a single click, and that’s why conversion rate optimization (CRO) is what separates average sellers from category leaders.

Let’s unpack the strategies, data points, and psychology behind Amazon CRO, and how you can use them to maximize sales and long-term growth.

How Does Amazon Conversion Rate Optimization Work?

At its core, Amazon conversion rate optimization (CRO) is about turning browsers into buyers. It’s the process of refining every element of your product listing, from images and titles to reviews and pricing, to increase the percentage of shoppers who purchase after landing on your page.

Unlike traditional website CRO, Amazon’s system operates within a closed, algorithm-driven ecosystem. That means your conversion rate doesn’t just affect your sales; it directly influences how prominently your product appears in search results. Amazon’s algorithm (often referred to as A9 or A10) measures how efficiently your listing converts impressions into purchases, and then uses that data to decide where your product ranks.

In simple terms:

  • A listing that converts well gets more organic visibility.
  • More visibility brings in more traffic.
  • More traffic drives more conversions.

How To Improve Your Conversion Rate On Amazon

Unlike Google, where the goal is to drive clicks, Amazon’s ecosystem is built entirely around driving sales. Every algorithmic decision from ranking to advertising visibility is influenced by your ability to convert impressions into purchases.

Amazon’s A9 (and newer A10) algorithm rewards listings that convert well. The better your product’s conversion rate, the higher your product ranks for relevant searches, creating a self-reinforcing loop:

Higher conversions → better rankings → more visibility → more conversions.

Now that you know how CRO works, it’s time to put some practical strategies for it into action. Here’s what you can do:

Optimize Your Listing’s “First Impression” Elements

When a shopper lands on your product page, they make a buying decision in seconds. These elements have an outsized impact on that decision:

  • Main Product Image: Your main image must be crisp, high-resolution, and immediately communicative. Avoid clutter. The product should occupy 85% of the frame on a white background. Test variations using Amazon’s A/B testing tool (Manage Your Experiments) to determine which version drives the most clicks and conversions.
  • Title Optimization: Your title boosts discoverability and establishes product relevance. Include primary keywords naturally while maintaining readability. For example: “Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle – 32oz Leakproof Sports Flask with Straw Lid – BPA Free.”
  • Price Anchoring: Pricing influences perceived value. If you’re priced slightly higher than competitors, justify it through clear differentiators in the title or images, such as “premium” or “eco-friendly.”
  • Bullet Points That Sell, Not Just Describe: Bullet points are prime real estate for conversion-driving copy. Each one should address a pain point, present a solution, and reinforce a benefit. For example, instead of: “Made from durable stainless steel”, try: “Built to last. Our double-walled stainless steel keeps your drink cold for 24 hours, so you stay refreshed all day.”

Think of each bullet as a mini advertisement aimed at removing objections and reinforcing value.

Earn (and Protect) Social Proof

Reviews remain one of the strongest conversion levers. A listing with 4.5+ stars and over 50 reviews dramatically outperforms one with fewer than 10. But quantity isn’t enough: sentiment and recency matter too. Encourage legitimate reviews through post-purchase emails and the “Request a Review” button in Seller Central.

Managing negative reviews proactively is just as important, though, as even a single 1-star review can impact your conversion rate. If you find yourself dealing with unfair or policy-violating feedback, it’s essential to understand Amazon’s process for reporting and removing negative reviews to protect your brand reputation.

Leverage Enhanced Brand Content (A+ Content)

A+ Content (for Brand Registered sellers) transforms your product page from a text-heavy listing into a visual experience. Use it to:

  • Tell your brand story
  • Compare your product line with visual charts
  • Use high-quality lifestyle imagery to show real-world use cases
  • Use modules strategically: not to fill space, but to emphasize why your brand is the better choice.
  • Use Data to Guide Optimization Decisions

Data is the lifeblood of conversion optimization. Amazon provides a wealth of insights through Brand Analytics, Business Reports, and Search Query Performance.

Key metrics to monitor include:

  • Unit Session Percentage (USP): Amazon’s version of conversion rate
  • Sessions: How many times customers viewed your listing
  • Buy Box Percentage: The share of time your offer wins the Buy Box
  • Customer Reviews and Feedback Trends: How shoppers perceive your product over time

Use these metrics to pinpoint drop-offs. For example, if your sessions are high but conversions are low, the issue is likely with your listing’s persuasion elements or pricing.

Experiment with A/B Testing

Amazon’s Manage Your Experiments tool allows you to test two versions of your title, main image, or A+ Content simultaneously. Run tests for at least 4 to 6 weeks to reach statistical significance.

Start with the highest-impact variables:

  • Main image
  • Title
  • A+ content layout
  • Price

Even small improvements can compound into massive sales gains over time.

Optimize for Mobile Shoppers

Over 70% of Amazon’s traffic now comes from mobile devices. That means your listing has to be thumb-friendly: scannable, visually engaging, and concise.

  • Front-load critical keywords in titles since mobile truncates text
  • Ensure infographics are readable on smaller screens
  • Keep bullet points short and impactful

A desktop-optimized listing that doesn’t perform well on mobile can silently bleed conversions.

Improve the Post-Purchase Experience

Amazon also tracks performance metrics like return rates, delivery satisfaction, and customer feedback, all of which influence visibility.

To sustain high conversion rates:

  • Use accurate product descriptions to set expectations
  • Monitor and respond to customer questions promptly
  • Follow up with thank-you emails or educational content about the product

Happy customers leave better reviews and are more likely to buy again, which feeds back into your CRO efforts.

Conclusion

Amazon conversion rate optimization is a continuous process of testing, measuring, and refining. The best sellers treat their listings like living assets: always improving copy, imagery, and trust signals based on what the data (and customers) reveal.

Start by tightening your listing fundamentals, protecting your review profile, and using A/B testing to eliminate guesswork. Over time, these improvements create the compounding effect every seller dreams of: a cycle of visibility, trust, and unstoppable sales momentum.

This blog was written by our partner TraceFuse. TraceFuse is the only AI-driven solution that detects negative reviews outside Amazon’s policies and guidelines.

A Win-Win-Win for Growth: Introducing Kickfurther’s New Partner Referral Program

At Kickfurther, we believe partnerships should multiply opportunity, not complicate it.

That’s why we’re excited to announce our new Partner Referral Program, built to reward every level of partner, from agencies to national brokers.

With two earning tracks, you choose what fits best for your business:

  1. Flat Payout Track: Fast, simple, and transparent. Earn up to $12,000 per funded referral
  2. Tiered Revenue Share Track: For high-volume partners who want to share in long-term success. Earn up to 20% of Year 1 revenue as your referred brands grow with guaranteed payouts after onboarding

A structure where everyone wins!

No matter which path you take, every referral is a win for you AND your clients:

  • You get paid when your client gets funded
  • Your clients get flexible, non-dilutive capital that scales with them
  • We all grow together

Kickfurther partners also gain access to exclusive co-marketing opportunities, joint campaigns, and dedicated support to make collaboration seamless.

Ready to grow together?

Get your questions answered and learn more about how to join the program. Book a call with our Partnerships team.

Flexible Funding That Rewards Growth: Meet Kickfurther’s New Pricing Model

Kickfurther’s new pricing is designed to give CPG brands more flexibility, more breathing room, and better cash flow.

We’ve moved away from the old subscription model — where brands paid an upfront annual fee to access the platform — and replaced it with a more flexible model that better aligns with your growth cycle.
How It Works

With our new pricing model, you can now access pay-as-you-use funding, meaning you only pay a small percentage when you use it.

And just like before, you’ll still enjoy benefits like:

  • Payment after sales – You won’t start paying until the inventory is sold
  • Loyalty rewards – Your funding fee goes down the more you work with us

Why It’s Better

For CPG brands, timing is everything. Our new model gives you the runway to scale without straining cash flow.

You’ll still enjoy everything that makes Kickfurther unique — debt-free funding, off-balance sheet treatment, payment after sales, and loyalty rewards — but now with no upfront subscription cost. Plus, if you sell your inventory faster, your Monthly Consignment (Co-Op) fee can go down.

Kickfurther payment structure

Why We Made the Change

This update came directly from customer feedback.

Brands told us they loved Kickfurther’s flexibility but wanted pricing that scaled with their usage. So, that’s exactly what we built.

Now, your costs are more predictable, your payments are better aligned with sales, and your capital stays focused on what drives growth: marketing, product innovation, and distribution.

Because when your cash flow is stronger, your whole business moves faster. And that’s what we’re here to support.

If you have questions or would like to learn more about how to take advantage of this new pricing model where everyone wins, book time to chat with a member of our team.

Which Inventory Funding Option is Right for Your Brand? Take Our 2-Minute Quiz

Finding the right funding for your brand shouldn’t feel like guesswork. And with so many options available these days, it sometimes can.

Whether you’re a food and beverage company looking to scale production, an apparel brand preparing for seasonal inventory, or a health and wellness business expanding into retail, understanding which funding option aligns with your business model can save you time, money, and headaches.

That’s why we created a simple, interactive funding quiz that helps brands like yours discover whether consignment funding, revenue-based financing, or traditional loans make the most sense for your current stage and goals.

Email 3 Find Your Perfect Funding Match

The problem we’re solving

After working with hundreds of CPG brands, we’ve noticed a pattern. Many businesses pursue funding options that don’t align with their cash flow needs, balance sheet goals, or growth stage. Some end up with debt they don’t need. Others miss out on flexible options that could fuel faster growth.

The reality is that there’s no one-size-fits-all funding solution. A $5M food brand scaling into Target has very different needs than a $500K startup launching their first product run. A business with strong margins and quick inventory turns might thrive with consignment funding, while a service-heavy business might need alternative solutions.

What the quiz covers

The 2-minute assessment asks 12 targeted multiple-choice questions about your business, including:

  • Your location and annual revenue
  • Industry and product type
  • Margin profile and inventory turnover
  • Funding amount and cash flow priorities
  • Credit profile and sales channels
  • Current growth stage

Based on your responses, you’ll receive a personalized recommendation that explains:

  • Which funding model best fits your business (consignment, revenue-based, or traditional)
  • Why that option aligns with your specific situation
  • Key features and considerations for your funding path
  • Next steps to move forward

Take the quiz and find your funding match in 2 minutes!

No pressure. Just honest guidance on the funding path that makes sense for your brand.

Whether you’re ready to scale into new retailers, fund a major production run, or simply explore your options, this quiz will point you in the right direction.

Take the quiz now.