Greenhouse programme launched by PepsiCo in North America

PepsiCo has announced the launch of its second Greenhouse programme in North America for the food and beverage industry.

The company launches its initial programme in Europe in 2017 and expanded it to North America last year.

PepsiCo has designed its 2020 Greenhouse programme to support upcoming entrepreneurs and brands in the industry. The company seeks to partner with brands that are changing the way consumers eat and drink.

PepsiCo Corporate Strategy executive vice-president and chief venturing officer Jim Andrew said: “As part of our vision to be the ‘Global Leader in Convenient Foods and Beverages by Winning with Purpose’, we are integrating purpose into the core of our business and our brands.

“Since its inception, the PepsiCo Greenhouse programme has been a great source of ideation, talent development and agility, while also providing an opportunity to collaborate with like-minded, mission-driven entrepreneurs as they develop and scale their innovative ideas that look to improve the way we shop and eat, offer new choices to consumers and solve the needs of our communities.”

As part of the initiative, Pepsico has issued an open call looking for ten start-ups based in the US or Canada. The call will remain open until 6 January.

The selected start-ups will each receive $20,000 in funding and participate in a business optimisation programme. This aims to accelerate start-up growth for a period of six months.

The programme includes personalised mentorship with PepsiCo experts from some of its emerging brands, such as Stacy’s, IMAG!NE and KeVita. It aims to help address critical early stage business operations such as strategic planning, corporate structuring and fundraising.

Additionally, it will provide guidance on brand optimisation, product development, supply chain management, customer acquisition and distribution.

One start-up will be awarded another $100,000 in funding to continue its expansion, towards the end of the programme. It will also have the opportunity to continue partnering with PepsiCo to advance its growth.

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