Named a World Changing Idea by Fast Company, Renewal Mill is an award-winning, next-generation ingredient company that fights climate change and global food loss by upcycling byproducts from food manufacturing into premium ingredients and products.

In this episode you’ll learn how Caroline’s been driving growth through LinkedIn as her primary channel, innovative ways to get startup capital and specific slack channels anyone in the food industry should join.

The Birth of Renewal Mill Renewal Mill's journey started with an organic juice company where co-founder Claire Schlemme was shocked by the amount of pulp waste produced daily. Determined to keep the nutrition in the supply chain, she looked for ways to upcycle that waste. Renewal Mill's process now turns those byproducts into new, valuable ingredients, keeping the food cycle alive rather than adding to the waste problem.

From Side Project to Award-Winning Company Although the company was founded in 2016, it wasn’t until 2018, after going through Techstars, that Renewal Mill really took off. Caroline and Claire both brought unique perspectives to the business—Claire had firsthand experience with food waste, while Caroline had a background in nutrition, marketing, and policy work. Their combined skills helped them build one of the few women-led businesses making waves in food technology.

Caroline’s LinkedIn Strategy for Growth Caroline Cotto has used LinkedIn as her secret weapon to grow the brand. While many companies spend heavily on social media ads, Caroline relies on her personal LinkedIn page to generate traffic and awareness for Renewal Mill. She believes that LinkedIn is all about consistency and authenticity. She frequently posts about her work and connects with people she meets at events—whether in-person or virtual. This approach has helped Renewal Mill build strong relationships and create organic growth without breaking the bank on marketing.

Her advice? It’s not just about the content you post—it’s about how you market that content. Caroline ensures that her posts stay at the top of her network’s feed by keeping things interesting and relevant. She also emphasizes the power of networking, noting that building connections through LinkedIn is a game-changer for growing a business.

Cold Calling, Trade Shows, and Scrappy Marketing Beyond LinkedIn, Renewal Mill’s early marketing efforts were grounded in good old-fashioned cold calling and participating in every event and trade show they could find. Caroline was scrappy about getting in front of people, whether through accelerator programs or pitching at every competition available. Even when they didn’t win, the exposure helped spread the word about their innovative products.

A Community-Focused Approach Caroline credits much of her success to the community of like-minded people she’s built around Renewal Mill. From participating in Slack groups like Startup CPG to joining food tech newsletters, she’s made sure to stay connected to others in the industry. She encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to find their tribe, test their ideas with friends and family, and take advantage of the many communities and resources available for female founders.

Upcycling for the Future As Caroline points out, it’s an exciting time to be in the upcycled food space. Food waste is a massive issue, and more consumers are becoming conscious of their impact on the planet. Renewal Mill is perfectly positioned to lead the charge in turning food waste into high-quality ingredients that make a difference.

Final Thoughts: Just Go for It Caroline’s key advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple: just do it. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you need, whether it’s advice, funding, or opportunities. Women, in particular, should feel empowered to ask for help and seek out communities where they can thrive. There’s a wealth of resources available, from accelerator programs to pitch competitions, and it’s all about putting yourself out there.

By focusing on upcycling, building a strong network, and using platforms like LinkedIn to drive growth, Caroline and Renewal Mill are making a lasting impact—on both the environment and the business world.