PepsiCo announced the eight finalists chosen to participate in the second year of the Greenhouse Accelerator Program: Juntos Crecemos (Together We Grow) Edition. This edition of Greenhouse Accelerator focuses on elevating high potential consumer packaged food and beverage brands and products inspired by Hispanic flavors and culture that are better for people and the planet.
The eight finalists were assessed for their potential to introduce innovative products to the food and beverage industry, scalability and demonstrated commitment to quality, sustainability, and community engagement. The emerging businesses chosen to participate in this year's cohort are from all across the country, including:
- JAS, Dallas — JAS crafts alcohol-free cocktails with adaptogens, botanicals and real ingredients. Products include the Paloma Libre infused with Ashwagandha alongside a signature 'Mexican pink' hue, JAS embodies its "Be Bold, Be Free" brand message.
- JaziLupini, Rochester, N.Y. — JaziLupini provides plant-based, gluten-free pasta for those seeking a low carb, protein-rich pasta. The products are free from eggs, dairy, nuts, gluten, and soy.
- Mayawell, Austin, Texas — Mayawell offers Mexican-inspired prebiotic sodas sweetened with organic agave and Active Agave inulin, serving as both a prebiotic and low-glycemic sweetener. Flavors include strawberry ginger with hibiscus and pineapple mango with turmeric.
- Nemi Snacks, Chicago — Nemi Snacks offers crunchy sticks made with nopales, seeds and mercado-fresh spices. With five distinct flavors and whole food ingredients, these snacks elevate authentic Mexican flavors.
- Paktli Foods, Cincinnati — Paktli Foods crafts artisan snacks with organic puffed amaranth, quinoa, millet, chocolates, dried fruits and nuts. Inspired by 16th-century Mexican alegrías, these snacks are organic and gluten-free, with vegan and soy-free options.
- Pricklee, New York — Pricklee is a natural hydration beverage made from real prickly pear cactus sourced from Mexico. Packed with electrolytes, antioxidants, and vitamin C, the low sugar formula uses 80% less irrigation than traditional crops.
- Toast-It, Miami — Toast-It offers gluten-free, Latin American staples like arepas and pandebono bites made with authentic ingredients such as yuca root and baked plantains.
- ¡Ya Oaxaca!, Austin, Texas — ¡Ya Oaxaca! crafts artisanal mole sauces, adobos and salsas with premium, natural, non-GMO, gluten-free, and vegan ingredients.
This edition of the Greenhouse Accelerator marks the second year of collaboration with the PepsiCo Ventures Group and PepsiCo Juntos Crecemos, part of pep+ (PepsiCo Positive's) agenda to make a positive impact on people and our planet by fostering innovation, creating economic opportunity and supporting local communities.
"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," said Esperanza Teasdale, vice president and general manager of PepsiCo Beverages North America's Hispanic Business Unit. "Building on the success of last year's program, where the businesses expanded distribution and accelerated revenue in just six months, we're committed to nurturing these eight new ventures toward sustainable success."
The program officially kicked off with a launch event at the Frito-Lay headquarters in Plano, Texas, where the eight finalists were introduced to their mentors, experts in research and development, supply chain and design. The Frito-Lay team will support the finalists during this five-month accelerator program.
At the end of the five-month mentorship journey, each finalist will present their progress, demonstrating how they have successfully implemented the teachings of their mentors to identify solutions to accelerate the growth of their business. The expert selection committee will then choose one of the eight finalists to receive an additional $100,000 to continue their forward progress.
The program, which initially launched in Europe in 2017, is now in its ninth cycle of fostering sustainable entrepreneurial growth.
