Mom-owned food brand joins a 25-business cohort to explore how artificial intelligence can support smarter marketing, stronger operations, and responsible retail growth.
LOS ANGELES, July 21, 2026 - Zen Stax, the mom-owned creator of premium pour-and-flip pancake batter crafted with clean ingredients and superfoods, today announced its selection for the Vision Lab AI Accelerator for Small Business, part of the West Valley/Los Angeles AI Accelerator initiative.
Zen Stax was selected from a competitive applicant pool to join a cohort of 25 Los Angeles small businesses. The immersive six-week hybrid program runs from July 22 through August 26, 2026, and is designed to help entrepreneurs use artificial intelligence to improve productivity, strengthen their businesses, and compete in a rapidly changing economy.
The accelerator is powered by the City of Los Angeles and El Proyecto del Barrio, Inc. in partnership with REBRANDX. Community partners include Vision Lab, Harbor YouthSource Center, and Councilmember Bob Blumenfield.
Throughout the program, participants will receive hands-on instruction in AI essentials, brand strategy, storytelling and content creation, AI-powered marketing, automation and operations, and emerging business-building tools. The experience will culminate in a live “Dolphin Tank” pitch finale on August 26.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
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25 |
6 |
7/22 |
8/26 |
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Los Angeles small businesses selected |
Weeks of practical AI training |
Program kickoff date |
Live pitch finale |
Zen Stax plans to apply the program’s lessons across several areas of the business, including consumer education, recipe and product storytelling, retailer support, internal processes, content development, and scalable sales and marketing systems.
The company’s participation also reflects a broader opportunity for small consumer brands. While larger companies often have dedicated departments for marketing, analytics, operations, and technology, emerging brands are frequently built by founders and small teams managing all of those responsibilities at once. Practical AI tools can help level that playing field by reducing repetitive work and enabling founders to focus more attention on product quality, relationships, creativity, and long-term growth.
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AI + ALOHA Smarter systems. More time for people, products, and connection. |
“Zen Stax was born from a very human need: as a busy mom, I wanted to make healthier, more joyful family meals easier. As we grow, I want to make sure technology helps us deliver on that original mission. For us, the future is not AI instead of aloha. It is AI helping us spread more aloha.”
Sari Megan Kern
ABOUT ZEN STAX
Founded by Sari Megan Kern, a mom of three, Zen Stax creates premium, gourmet pourable pancake batter designed to make meaningful family moments easier. Its batters combine convenience and indulgence with clean ingredients, powerful superfoods, plant-based recipes, and gluten-free options. Guided by a commitment to health, sustainability, family, and aloha, Zen Stax is creating delicious moments one pancake at a time.
MEDIA CONTACT
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Sari Megan Kern |
[email protected] |