Innovation Spotlight: LÄRABAR Founder Lara Merriken joins for Keynote and Summit highlights!
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 13 hours ago
At Tom Tom’s 2026 Innovation Summit, you’ll hear from visionaries like Lara Merriken, the founder of LÄRABAR, who turned a kitchen experiment into a nationally recognized brand. What began as a homemade snack, helped spark the clean-label movement and reshaped how millions think about food.
Driven by a desire to create food aligned with her own health and values, Lara built a company rooted in simplicity, transparency, and purpose. As LÄRABAR grew rapidly and was ultimately acquired by General Mills in 2008 for a reported $55M, she navigated the complex challenge of scaling a mission-driven brand while staying true to its founding principles.
At Tom Tom, Lara will share what it really takes to build a values-driven company in a high-growth world. From navigating rapid scale to staying grounded through acquisition, her experience offers rare insight into the tension between purpose and performance.
Today, Lara’s work extends beyond business into leadership, wellness, and conscious living; rethinking innovation not as disruption for its own sake, but as a brave choice to build healthier systems with intention.
Don’t forget, the 2026 Innovation Summit is 2-Days of ideas and connection where the next era of entrepreneurship and ideas takes shape. Convening founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders, we’ll rally around bold projects that turn ambition into community impact.
AI & Data, Life Sciences, Enterprise Innovators Showcases
The Summit will spotlight the people and companies shaping the future of Virginia’s economy — from high-growth startups and emerging technologies to small businesses and community-driven innovation.
A New Track Catalyzing Funders & Founders
A standout of the 2026 Innovation Summit, the is Investor Connect Track brings together angel groups, family offices, institutional investors, accelerators, and ecosystem leaders for boutique learning sessions and curated networking.
