From Idea to 75 Stores: Chikka Chikka’s Rise in the Hudson Valley
In 2024, the founders of Chikka Chikka came to the Hudson Valley Venture Hub with a bold vision and a big question: how do you scale a compelling product idea? Chikka Chikka is a functional snack made primarily from maple-roasted fennel seeds, packaged in beautiful pocket-sized tins.They had a strong concept but needed to increase production to meet growing demand of their nascent business.
That’s where the Hudson Valley Venture Hub stepped in.
The Hudson Valley Venture Hub specializes in connecting early-stage founders with the tools, people, and partners that can move their ideas from concept to market. For Chikka Chikka, that meant finding a way to produce and distribute their product efficiently without having to build a full-scale operation from scratch.
The Hudson Valley Venture Hub introduced them to Mid Hudson Works—a powerhouse in local manufacturing, fulfillment, logistics, and shipping. Whether it's food products or electronics, Mid Hudson Works helps companies turn ideas into inventory and get them out the door. For the Chikka Chikka team, this connection was transformational.
By outsourcing production and logistics to Mid Hudson Works, the Chikka Chikka founders were free to do what they do best: sell. And the results speak for themselves. In just a few short months, Chikka Chikka products have landed in 75 stores and counting—an incredible feat for any early-stage brand.
“We want to enjoy this journey, so our approach is to work with partners who are kind and care about what they do. We are super thankful that Eliza introduced us to the folks at Mid Hudson Works, an organization that is allowing us to grow and is also aligned with our values.’
Their success is a powerful reminder of the value of regional collaboration and the strength of the Hudson Valley startup ecosystem. When entrepreneurs are surrounded by the right support system—makers, mentors, manufacturers—they can grow faster and smarter.
The Hudson Valley Venture Hub is proud to have played a role in helping Chikka Chikka scale, and can't wait to see where they go next.
