State Grant — $300k Popcorn Marketing

Overview

Doodla Farms received a $300,000 state grant designated for popcorn marketing. The grant was confirmed as received on the day of this call. This funding provides meaningful financial relief given the pressure Doodla Farms is facing from a warehouse project they cannot cancel without incurring ~$400k in penalties.

Asymmetric will label its invoices to Doodla Farms as "popcorn marketing" so that the charges qualify for grant reimbursement.

Key Details

• Grant amount: $300,000 (state-issued)
• Purpose: Popcorn marketing — covers bags, marketing services, and related expenses
• Invoice labeling: Mark will categorize Asymmetric invoices (e.g., $3,000–$4,000/mo) as "popcorn marketing" to ensure reimbursability
• Additional use: Grant funds will also go toward new packaging (bags and materials)

Related: Packaging Redesign

Discussed in the same conversation, the grant will partially fund a packaging overhaul:

• Problem: Current zip-seal bags are faulty — bags arrive so full that once opened, they cannot be resealed
• Solution: Redesign bags to be longer, removing the zip-seal entirely and leaving enough material at the top for a twist-tie closure
• Expected outcome: Resolves the majority of customer packaging complaints

Lucy (Doodla Farms) is already in conversation with Jen about what the new bags will look like.

Financial Context

• Doodla Farms is locked into a warehouse construction project; canceling now would trigger ~$400k in penalties
• The $300k grant offsets some of this pressure and provides cash flow for ongoing marketing and operational expenses
• Asymmetric invoices funded through the grant help ensure continued payment on the account

Action Items

• [ ] Mark to label future Doodla Farms invoices as "popcorn marketing" for grant reimbursement
• [ ] Monitor packaging redesign progress with Lucy and Jen

Related

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