PepsiCo releases names of Nutrition Greenhouse programme participants

PepsiCo has revealed the names of ten food and beverage start-up brands that will be part of its first Nutrition Greenhouse programme in North America.

The programme has been designed to accelerate the brands’ growth with personalised mentorship from established companies such as Quaker, Naked, KeVita, Stacy’s, Red Rock Deli and Off the Eaten Path.

PepsiCo Ventures Group managing director Daniel Grubbs said: “Nutrition Greenhouse was created with the intent of supporting change-making startups of the future.

“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.”

The ten start-ups that are part of the programme are Bohana, a company that reinvented an ancient snack with popped water lily seed, Rule Breaker Snacks, a producer of bean-based treats, and Hapi Drinks, which offers sugar-free children’s drinks.

Other participants include nutrition bar manufacturer IQ BAR, plant-based beverages producer Remedy Organics, vegan seafood alternative company Sophie’s Kitchen, breakfast and snack food business Wildway, and YoFiit, which focuses on functional, clean and innovative vegan meals.

Too FIT, a lifestyle brand which offers nutritional supplements, and Torii Labs, a health product company are also participating in the programme.

Each of the ten start-ups will receive a grant of $20,000 and participate in a six-month business optimisation programme.

PepsiCo mentors will collaborate with the start-ups on areas including marketing, distribution, manufacturing and supply chain, as well as helping participants address other challenges related to growing their business.

One start-up will win an additional $100,000 following the six-month programme based on the companies success.

The winning company will also have the opportunity to continue partnering with PepsiCo.