PepsiCo unveils finalists for Greenhouse Accelerator’s Juntos Crecemos Edition

PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ: PEP) has unveiled the eight innovative finalists chosen to participate in the second installment of its Greenhouse Accelerator Program: Juntos Crecemos Edition. This initiative aims to nurture high-potential consumer packaged food and beverage brands that embody Hispanic cultural flavors and advocate for sustainability and community engagement.

This year’s cohort features a diverse range of emerging businesses from across the United States, each bringing unique products to the table:

– JAS from Dallas, Texas, offers alcohol-free cocktails enhanced with adaptogens and botanicals, including a standout Paloma Libre.

– JaziLupini based in Rochester, New York, creates plant-based, gluten-free pasta with a focus on low-carb, protein-rich meals.

– Mayawell in Austin, Texas, produces prebiotic sodas using organic agave, combining health benefits with delicious flavors like strawberry ginger with hibiscus.

– Nemi Snacks from Chicago, Illinois, presents crunchy snack sticks made with nopales and vibrant spices.

– Paktli Foods in Cincinnati, Ohio, specializes in super snacks made from organic ingredients like puffed amaranth and quinoa.

– Pricklee from New York, New York, offers hydration beverages made from prickly pear cactus, known for its low sugar content and high electrolyte levels.

– TOAST-IT in Miami, Florida, provides gluten-free Latin American staples such as arepas and pandebono bites.

– ¡Ya Oaxaca! in Austin, Texas, crafts artisanal mole sauces, adobos, and salsas that reflect the rich gastronomic heritage of Oaxaca.

Esperanza Teasdale, Vice President & General Manager of PepsiCo Beverages North America’s Hispanic Business Unit, expressed enthusiasm about the program’s potential impact: “As we embark on the second year of the Greenhouse Accelerator Program: Juntos Crecemos Edition, we’re thrilled to witness the continued evolution of emerging businesses in the food and beverage industry.”

The program kicked off with a launch event at the Frito-Lay headquarters in Plano, Texas, where finalists met their mentors—experts across various fields like research and development, supply chain, and design. These mentors will guide the finalists over a five-month period, culminating in a presentation where one finalist will be selected to receive an additional $100,000 to further their business growth.

Antonio Escalona, Senior Vice President of Emerging Business for PepsiCo Foods North America, highlighted the importance of this initiative: “With access to quality mentorship, resources, and a platform designed for growth, this program not only supports the expansion of these innovative ventures but also brings forth products that meet consumers’ evolving tastes for unique and dynamic offerings.”

This edition of the Greenhouse Accelerator underscores PepsiCo’s commitment to fostering innovation, creating economic opportunity, and supporting local communities as part of its pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) transformation agenda.