PepsiCo invites businesses to apply for its
mentorship program and a chance to receive up to $120,000 in business grants
PURCHASE, N.Y., March 6,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:
PEP) announced the return of its Greenhouse Accelerator Program:
Juntos Crecemos (Together We Grow) Edition – a collaborative
program that provides funding and pairs breakthrough start-ups with
PepsiCo experts to help grow their businesses. For the second
consecutive year, this edition of Greenhouse Accelerator will focus
on elevating high-potential Hispanic-owned CPG food and beverage
startups that demonstrate the promise of transforming the industry
with snacks and beverages that are better for people and the
planet.
According to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC),
Latino businesses generate $800
billion for the U.S. economy yearly1,
but they have the potential to generate much more if provided
greater access to business-critical resources. Programs like the
Greenhouse Accelerator Program are providing businesses with the
training and access to capital needed to continue to strengthen the
U.S. economy.
Starting today, aspiring food and beverage businesses engaged in
the creation or sale of consumer goods on a national scale can
submit their applications for the Greenhouse Accelerator: Juntos
Crecemos Edition program. This initiative is part of pep+
(PepsiCo Positive)'s transformation agenda, aiming to foster a more
circular and inclusive value chain. To apply, visit
https://greenhouseaccelerator.com/juntos-crecemos-applications/.
PepsiCo will choose eight promising businesses from the
applicant pool to receive a $20,000
grant and join the five-month mentorship program to address their
specific business challenges, including brand development, scaling
technology, business model development, product optimization and
go-to-market strategy.
"We are so excited to launch year two of the program to be a
catalyst of growth for emerging Hispanic-owned ventures in the food
and beverage industry," said Esperanza
Teasdale, Vice President & General Manager, Hispanic
Business Unit, PepsiCo Beverages North America. "Last year's
program was a reciprocal exchange of learning. Mentors provided
mentees with invaluable business advice, and the mentees provided a
thoughtful approach to their respective businesses and the industry
at large. This cross-pollination of ideas and perspectives is what
helps drive innovation within PepsiCo."
Throughout the year, the finalists will present plans to address
their individual business obstacles, progress and tangible results
to an expert evaluation committee. In November, the committee will
award a $100,000 grand prize to the
most promising business to continue its expansion along with the
possibility of working with PepsiCo and Juntos Crecemos.
"The success resulting from programs like this one showcases the
power of the U.S. Hispanic entrepreneur," said Antonio Escalona, Senior Vice President &
General Manager, Hispanic Business Unit, PepsiCo Foods North
America. "Embracing the spirit of innovation, our commitment at
PepsiCo is rooted in meeting the dynamic demands of today's
evolving consumers. We hope to give these Hispanic-owned start-ups
the resources needed to shape the future of food and beverage with
creativity, ingenuity and relentless dedication."
Daniel Schwarz, winner of the
inaugural mentorship program and Founder & CEO of
Mexican-inspired snack company CHUZA, used the grant and expertise
he gained to raise product awareness and inspire brand love around
the world through expanded branding and marketing efforts. Since
November 2023, Daniel has been
focused on product packaging improvements and working on new
product innovations that he hopes to introduce later this year.
"I cannot thank PepsiCo enough for the financial and strategic
support that I received through the first-ever Juntos
Crecemos Edition of the PepsiCo Greenhouse Accelerator
Program," said Daniel Schwarz,
Founder and CEO of Chuza. "I encourage all Hispanic business owners
in the food and beverage sector to apply for this program and take
advantage of all it has to offer because it can help transform your
businesses to make an impact in the industry."
Daniel and other finalists from last year's cohort will attend
Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim,
CA, the leading trade show in the natural, organic and
healthy product industry, on March 14
to share their testimonies about the program during a one-hour
informational session alongside PepsiCo leaders.
Since expanding to North
America in 2018, the Greenhouse Accelerator Program is now
in its ninth iteration, supporting entrepreneurial growth and
uplifting a wide range of suppliers with one fundamental goal: to
foster the growth of entrepreneurs.
To learn more about the program and how to apply, visit:
https://greenhouseaccelerator.com/juntos-crecemos/. Applications
close May 6.
About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion
times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the
world. PepsiCo generated more than $91
billion in net revenue in 2023, driven by a complementary
beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay's,
Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and
SodaStream. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of
enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that
generate more than $1 billion each in
estimated annual retail sales.
Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in
Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo
Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that
puts sustainability and human capital at the center of how we will
create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries
and inspiring positive change for planet and people. For more
information, visit www.pepsico.com, and follow on X (Twitter),
Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @PepsiCo.
1 U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
2020 Annual Report
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SOURCE PepsiCo, Inc.