Packaging Awards for Startups 2027
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
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
The flagship startup category. Indie brands, challenger brands, and early-stage portfolio launches across any consumer market.
First-product, first-line, or first-portfolio launches in food and beverage.
Founder-led skincare, body, supplement, and wellness brand launches.
Pre-market and unreleased work — Category 20: Concept & Student is open to in-development packaging.
Founder seasonal drops, limited runs, and special releases.
Mission-driven startups with packaging engineered for positive impact. Discounted entry rate.
Startup material breakthroughs. Presented in partnership with A Plastic Planet.
DIELINE Awards 2027
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
Retail buyers see a DIELINE Award and recognize the brand has been measured against the best in the world. It speeds up the conversation.
A globally recognized packaging design credential is a real signal in investor decks — proof the brand is taken seriously by the industry.
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.
Lower entry rates for emerging and concept tiers. Discounted Design for Good entry. Free Designalytics entry.
FAQ
Yes. Founders, in-house teams, and indie brands can enter their own packaging work directly. No agency partner required.
Yes — Emerging Brands is the dedicated category for new market entrants, indie brands, challenger brands, and early-stage portfolios.
Yes — Category 20: Concept & Student is open to pre-market and unreleased packaging concepts.
Concept & Student tiers have the lowest entry rates. Celebration Flash rates are available across Pro, Independent Studio, and Concept tiers through May 31.
Now open through February 2028. Celebration Flash rates available through May 31 across Professional, Independent Studio, and Concept & Student tiers.