P*DE*Q earned Best of Show today in the Valley Entrepreneur Showcase, a business-pitch competition at the 10th annual Central Valley Venture Forum at the Clovis Veterans Memorial District Auditorium.

The forum is an opportunity for venture capitalists, investment bankers, angel investors, leading start-ups, valuation experts, corporate executives and community leaders to discuss economic and financial opportunities related to the Central Valley.

P*DE*Q manufactures and distributes tapioca-based cheese bread, inspired by a popular Brazilian snack called pão de queijo. Positioned as an easy-to-prepare snack, P*DE*Q is gluten free. Product is sold frozen, either as raw dough or already baked. There are five flavors available: original (cheddar/parmesan), jalapeño, bacon, carrot raisin and chocolate. The product is packaged for the retail market and for the food service market.

“On behalf of P*DE*Q, I’m so proud to have earned Best of Show,” said Flavia Takahashi-Flores, a 2005 Fresno State graduate and founder and CEO of P*DE*Q. “The Central Valley Venture Forum gave us an opportunity to showcase our business to potential investors, partners and clients. It was a great way to continue growing our brand in the Central Valley and beyond.”

 

The Central Valley Venture Forum is a partnership between the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Fresno State and the Central Valley Fund.

Keynote speakers at the event were Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin and Dr. Pamela Marrone, CEO and Founder of Marrone Bio Innovations.

For more information, contact Jeff Macon, showcase chair, at 559.347.3903 or jeffmacon@csufresno.edu, or Betsy Hays at 559.916.6844 or betsyhays@gmail.com