Building the Future of Brands: Inside the 2025 Greycroft Consumer Brands Summit
Insights

Building the Future of Brands: Inside the 2025 Greycroft Consumer Brands Summit

May 19, 2025

The 2025 Greycroft Consumer Brands Summit brought together leading founders, operators, and investors for two days of practical insights, meaningful conversations, and shared perspective.

Hosted at Rosewood Miramar Beach, our second annual summit focused on what it takes to build durable consumer brands in today’s fast-moving environment, from scaling with authenticity to integrating AI and rethinking distribution strategies.

Through fireside chats, tactical roundtables, and small group sessions, the event reflected Greycroft’s core belief: that strong brands are built on real connection, clear strategy, and a willingness to challenge the status quo.

Authenticity at Scale

Founders shared how they’re staying close to their customers while growing fast. In emotionally-driven categories, trust remains the most valuable asset.

As one speaker put it: "What got you to $10M won't get you to $100M, but the trust you've built with you customers is non-negotiable."

The best brands in the room weren’t chasing trends. They were building from a clear understanding of who they serve and why they matter.

Distribution as a Brand Lever

Distribution strategy came through as a key differentiator, not a back-end function. Whether through immersive retail concepts or high-retention membership programs, the most successful brands are designing every step of the customer journey with intent.

Panelists highlighted the importance of making customers feel seen, regardless of where or how they buy.

Roundtables

Data, with Judgment

Data is everywhere, but great operators know how to filter signal from noise. Several companies shared moments where customer feedback—rather than the dashboard—shaped the right next move.

One founder shared, "The data told us something was off. But fixing it meant stepping back, getting out of spreadsheets, and rebuilding from the ground up."

Knowing when to trust intuition, and when to test, was a recurring theme.

Consumer Brands Panel

The Role of AI Today

AI is starting to make a meaningful impact, especially in creative production, research workflows, and personalized experiences.

Teams spoke about using it to speed up processes, prototype faster, and reach customers more effectively. Still, adoption is thoughtful. The focus isn’t on chasing novelty, but on building tools that save time, improve outcomes, and protect brand integrity.

Floral Arranging

Community in Action

Beyond the panels, guests participated in small group experiences that reflected the creativity and heart behind today’s consumer ecosystem, from a wine tasting with Avaline founders Cameron Diaz and Katherine Power, to vision boarding with tarot, floral arranging for families in need, and a sound bath on the Buddha Lawn.

We were also proud to spotlight Baby2Baby, whose work supporting children living in poverty inspires action and impact. Attendees crafted Mother’s Day bouquets that were delivered to local families, and many signed up to volunteer or donate as part of the Greycroft x Baby2Baby partnership.

To all the speakers, partners, and brands who joined us, thank you. The conversations, ideas, and connections sparked over these two days will shape the months ahead. We can’t wait to keep building together.

Consumer Brands Team

Disclaimer: This publication was prepared solely for informational purposes and should not be viewed as a current or past recommendation or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. The information included herein is based on the opinions of the authors and nothing shall, or is intended to, constitute investment, financial, legal, accounting, or tax advice by the authors or Greycroft. This publication contains forward-looking statements, which are based on beliefs, assumptions and expectations that may change as a result of many possible events or other factors. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and undue reliance should not be placed thereon. Greycroft does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date on which such statements were made. The information in this document, including any charts, graphs, and other visual aids, has been developed internally and/or obtained from third-party sources believed to be reliable; however, Greycroft does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information or undertaken any independent review of such information. Any investments or portfolio companies mentioned, referred to, or described are not representative of all investments in vehicles managed by Greycroft, and there can be no assurance that the investments will be profitable or that other investments made in the future will have similar characteristics or results. A list of investments made by funds managed by Greycroft is available at https://www.greycroft.com/investments/.

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