PepsiCo unveils its ten Nutrition Greenhouse accelerator finalists

PepsiCo has revealed the ten food and beverage brands that will join its first Nutrition Greenhouse accelerator programme in North America.

The ten finalists produce innovative products such as chickpea milk, plant-based seafood and popped water lily seeds.

The programme follows the launch of PepsiCo’s Nutrition Greenhouse in Europe, which is now in its second year.

The accelerator hopes to discover and support emerging brands in the food and beverage sector.

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Under the accelerator programme, each of the participating startups will receive US$20,000 in grant funding and will participate in a six-month business optimisation programme.

They will also receive personalised mentorship from experts at some of PepsiCo's leading and emerging brands, including Quaker, Naked and Off the Eaten Path.

The startups will receive support and guidance on areas ranging from marketing, distribution, manufacturing, supply chain, packaging, label claims, and fundraising, for example.

The ten startups involved in the accelerator programme include: Bohana, who makes high-protein snacks with popper water lily seeds; Hapi Drinks, a sugar-free kids drink that hopes to tackle childhood obesity; IQ BAR, a nutrition bar for cognitive health; Remedy Organics, a plant-based functional beverage brand as well as Rule Breaker Snacks, which makes innovative bean-based snacks.

Other finalists in the accelerator include: Sophie's Kitchen, which makes plant-based seafood alternatives; Too FIT, which creates nutritional supplements; Torii Labs, a plant-based functional beverage brand; Wildway, a better-for-you breakfast and snack company; as well as YoFiit, a plant-based meal solution company.

"Nutrition Greenhouse was created with the intent of supporting change-making startups of the future," said Daniel Grubbs, Managing Director, PepsiCo Ventures Group.

"We are very excited to collaborate with, help grow and learn from these incredible companies. Each finalist is unique in their own way, but one thing they all share is they're mission-driven and purposeful, which is very much aligned with our own Performance with Purpose agenda."

 At the end of the program, a single company will be awarded an additional US$100,000 to continue its expansion.