Packaging Awards for Startups 2027
PACKAGING AWARDS
FOR STARTUPS &
EMERGING BRANDS.
The credential that retail buyers, investors, and trade media recognize. Built for founder-led brands, challenger CPG, and early-stage portfolios that need the global packaging design industry to take them seriously.
Built for Founders
PROVE THE PACKAGING.
UNLOCK THE NEXT ROUND.
For founder-led CPG brands, packaging is a sales tool, a recruiting tool, and an investor narrative. A DIELINE Award gives early-stage brands a credential their competitors don't have — judged against the best consumer packaging in the world.
The Emerging Brands category was built specifically for new market entrants, indie brands, challenger brands, and early-stage portfolio launches. CPG founders: this category was made for you.
What We Recognize
WHAT YOU CAN ENTER.
Emerging Brands
The flagship startup category. Indie brands, challenger brands, and early-stage portfolio launches across any consumer market.
Food & Beverage Launches
First-product, first-line, or first-portfolio launches in food and beverage.
Beauty & Wellness Launches
Founder-led skincare, body, supplement, and wellness brand launches.
Concept & Pre-Launch
Pre-market and unreleased work — Category 20: Concept & Student is open to in-development packaging.
Limited Editions
Founder seasonal drops, limited runs, and special releases.
Design for Good
Mission-driven startups with packaging engineered for positive impact. Discounted entry rate.
Plastic Free Innovation
Startup material breakthroughs. Presented in partnership with A Plastic Planet.
DIELINE Awards 2027
JUDGED BY
THE WORLD'S BEST.
A global jury of packaging design experts, brand leaders, creative directors, and CPG innovators. Every entry reviewed by specialists in the relevant category.
Meet the Jury →Why Enter
WHY FOUNDERS
ENTER.
Retail Buyer Credential
Retail buyers see a DIELINE Award and recognize the brand has been measured against the best in the world. It speeds up the conversation.
Investor-Facing Proof
A globally recognized packaging design credential is a real signal in investor decks — proof the brand is taken seriously by the industry.
Industry & Press Reach
Featured coverage on DIELINE.com and across DIELINE's 200K+ Instagram audience. Past winners have attracted attention from industry press and packaging/design media including Adweek, PRINT, Brand New, and Packaging World.
Designed for Indie Budgets
Lower entry rates for emerging and concept tiers. Discounted Design for Good entry. Free Designalytics entry.
FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED.
Can founders enter without a design agency?
Yes. Founders, in-house teams, and indie brands can enter their own packaging work directly. No agency partner required.
Is there a startup-specific category?
Yes — Emerging Brands is the dedicated category for new market entrants, indie brands, challenger brands, and early-stage portfolios.
Can pre-launch and concept work be entered?
Yes — Category 20: Concept & Student is open to pre-market and unreleased packaging concepts.
Is there a lower entry rate for early-stage brands?
Concept & Student tiers have the lowest entry rates. Celebration Flash rates are available across Pro, Independent Studio, and Concept tiers through May 31.
ENTER THE
WORLD'S BEST.
Now open through February 2028. Celebration Flash rates available through May 31 across Professional, Independent Studio, and Concept & Student tiers.