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July 13, 2025, 4:59 am UTC

Killik Hot Sauce Co 83-4671857 | Government Grant Application

Killik Hot Sauce Co | Application Preview

 

Killik Hot Sauce Co. is applying for government grants to fund the establishment of their own production facility. Recently, the company has expanded its reach by partnering with Sysco, enabling distribution across all 50 states. They are also in negotiations with various grocery store chains to promote their fermented hot sauce.

The founder, Michael Killik, has an inspiring background as a veteran and a father of four daughters. After facing significant health challenges, including a stroke and a heart attack, he transitioned from teaching middle school science to restaurant management. His personal journey led him to create a healthier hot sauce, as he discovered that traditional recipes were often high in sodium, which he believed contributed to his health issues. This motivated him to develop a hot sauce that was not only delicious but also better for those with dietary concerns.

Killik Hot Sauce distinguishes itself in a crowded market through its unique fermented formula, which is vegan, low in sodium, and gluten-free. The company believes it has an advantage over conventional hot sauces, positioning itself as a healthier choice without relying on gimmicks or flashy branding, drawing inspiration instead from classic brands like Tabasco.

Overall, the application emphasizes the company's innovative products and their commitment to health, making a strong case for the need and potential impact of the funding.

  • General Information

    Business Registration Number: 83-4671857

    Location: Cleveland, OH, United States

    Length of Operation: 1-5

    Number of Employees: 1-10 Employees

    Annual Gross Income: $100k to $250k

    Annual Gross Expense: Less than $100k

    Open to Loans: NO

  • Funding Usage

    Our own production facility

  • Business Plan

    Again, we have just been picked up by Sysco which makes us a National company that will be available is all 50 states. Besides that we are in talks with other grocery store chains to carry our fermented hot sauce. Killik Hot Sauce Company is owned and operated by Michael Killik: veteran, father of four daughters, stroke, and heart attack survivor. In his previous life, he taught middle school science, which is what gave him the passion to discover the scientific process of fermentation! After his stroke 15 years ago, he had to make a career change into restaurant management, where his passion for food blended with his passion for science. The last straw, per se, was when he had a heart attack in the same week as his father. He survived his father didn’t. After surviving the heart attack, Michael decided he had to change his way of life but loved hot sauce! He researched that most hot sauces have very high sodium levels and that this could’ve been a contributing factor to his heart attack. Having been dabbling in his own hot sauce making, he found that what he was creating was a better tasting, better looking, and much healthier hot sauce! With this belief that he was doing better for people struggling with their diet like he was, he started Killik Hot Sauce Company!

  • Self Identified Competition

    Because we are fermented we are pretty unique. Also we are vegan, low sodium, and gluten free. We are a healthy hot sauce and because of that we feel besides competing with all the other hot sauces, and there are hundreds of them, that we have no real competition! But we look toward Tobasco for inspiration. No gimmicks, no silly names, no dumb cartoons, just classic taste and branding. We are unique, and we are the right hot sauce at the right time! Being that we are fermented, vegan, low sodium (1%), gluten free, and Chef driven, we appeal to all ages and health conditions.

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