PepsiCo: Greenhouse Accelerator Driving Sustainability Goals

The food and beverage industry faces significant challenges in the current state of the market, including rising energy costs, supply chain disruptions, labour shortages, and increasing regulatory pressures on sustainability.
Additionally, shifting consumer preferences towards healthier, more sustainable products is forcing the food and beverage industry to adapt quickly.
To combat these challenges, PepsiCo has chosen eight food and beverage start-ups for its Greenhouse Accelerator Program: Juntos Crecemos Edition. The programme, which aligns with PepsiCo’s 'performance with purpose' mission, focuses on sustainable growth and positive societal impact, with successful firms to be granted US$20,000 to develop innovative business solutions and participate in a five-month mentorship programme. Successful organisations will have the chance to secure an additional US$100,000 prize.
What does PepsiCo’s Greenhouse Accelerator Program aim to achieve?
PepsiCo's Greenhouse Accelerator Program is a collaborative initiative designed to nurture and support innovative start-ups in the food and beverage industry.
The programme focuses on identifying and accelerating the growth of emerging sustainable brands, particularly those working on breakthrough innovations in areas such as circular economy, sustainable agriculture, and climate action.
Key features of the programme include:
Financial support: Selected start-ups receive an initial grant of US$20,000, with the opportunity for one winner to secure an additional US$100,000.
Mentorship: Participants engage in a five to six-month mentorship programme, gaining access to PepsiCo executives and experts across various functions such as R&D, nutrition science, supply chain management, and business development.
Business development: The programme offers personalised support in areas like product optimisation, procurement, customer acquisition, and go-to-market strategies.
Regional focus: The Greenhouse Accelerator has been implemented across multiple regions, including the United States, Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa (ESSA), and Asia Pacific (APAC).
Sustainability emphasis: The programme aligns with PepsiCo's broader sustainability goals and its 'pep+' (PepsiCo Positive) transformation agenda, focusing on innovations that support environmental sustainability and wellness.
The programme also allows PepsiCo to stay abreast of emerging trends and potentially identify acquisition targets. By collaborating with agile start-ups, PepsiCo seeks to enhance its own sustainability practices, improve supply chain efficiency, and develop products that meet evolving consumer demands for healthier, more sustainable options.
Why is PepsiCo investing in start-ups for its Greenhouse Accelerator Program?
By investing in these start-ups, PepsiCo aims to foster innovation in the food and beverage industry while addressing pressing challenges related to sustainability and consumer health.
By partnering with these start-ups, PepsiCo seeks to enhance its agricultural practices, supply chain efficiency, and sustainability efforts.
The programme offers mentorship, funding, and access to PepsiCo's network, accelerating the growth of participating start-ups while potentially benefiting from their cutting-edge solutions.
This approach enables PepsiCo to stay ahead of industry trends, particularly in health and wellness, and develop innovative products that meet changing consumer demands.
The selected companies include:
JAS (Dallas): Produces alcohol-free cocktails infused with adaptogens and botanicals, featuring vibrant flavours like Paloma Libre with Ashwagandha.
JaziLupini (Rochester): Offers plant-based, gluten-free pasta inspired by Latin American cuisine, rich in protein and low in carbs.
Mayawell (Austin): Creates Mexican-inspired prebiotic sodas sweetened with organic agave and Active Agave™ inulin, offering unique flavour combinations.
Nemi (Chicago): Makes crunchy snack sticks using nopales, seeds, and fresh market spices, highlighting authentic Mexican flavours.
PAKTLI (Cincinnati): Crafts artisanal snacks using organic puffed grains, chocolates, dried fruits, and nuts, inspired by traditional Mexican alegrías.
Pricklee (New York): Produces a natural hydration drink made from prickly pear cactus, rich in electrolytes and antioxidants.
TOAST-IT (Miami): Offers gluten-free Latin American staples like arepas and pandebono bites, ready to toast.
¡Ya Oaxaca! (Austin): Creates artisanal mole sauces, adobos, and salsas using premium, natural ingredients, celebrating Oaxacan culinary heritage.
Antonio Escalona, Senior Vice President of Emerging Business for PepsiCo Foods North America, says: "With access to quality mentorship, resources and a platform designed for growth, this programme not only supports the expansion of these innovative ventures but also brings forth products that meet consumers' evolving tastes for unique and dynamic offerings, driving forward both their success and industry innovation as a whole."
Daniel Grubbs, Global Chief Venturing & Investment Officer and Head of PepsiCo Ventures Group adds: "By leveraging the deep expertise within our organisation, including the invaluable guidance from our PepsiCo mentors, we are helping to identify and foster the success of these great entrepreneurs and companies."
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