CHICAGO — The Kraft Heinz Co. has revealed the five start-ups selected for the second Springboard incubator program class. Launched in March 2018, the Springboard platform is dedicated to scaling and accelerating food and beverage brands.
All five brands chosen for the second round fall within at least one of the Springboard growth pillars, Kraft Heinz said, which include natural and organic, specialty and craft, health and performance, and experiential brands.
“We had an incredibly competitive group of applicants,” said Kelly Reinke, Springboard incubator lead. “All five companies in our second incubator class offer delicious products that cater to the better-for-you offerings consumers are demanding. Springboard exists to help shape the future of food, and we are confident our next class does just that.”
The incubator class will take place over the next 16 weeks in Chicago, where the selected start-ups will participate in a program composed of “learning, funding, infrastructure access and mentorship,” Springboard said. The start-ups will have access to pilot plants and culinary kitchens at the Kraft Heinz Innovation Center in Glenview, Ill. They also will receive $50,000 funding and a chance to earn up to $50,000 more during the program.
Participants in Springboard’s first incubator program class, which began in May 2018, included Ayoba-Yo, Cleveland Kraut, Kumana, Poppilu and Quevos.
The five start-ups chosen for Springboard’s second incubator program are:
• Blake’s Seed Based, manufacturer of snack and protein bars made with seeds. The products are gluten-free, non-G.M.O., vegan and free of peanuts, tree nuts, soy, milk and eggs. Blake’s Seed Based snack bars come in raspberry, pineapple and chocolate chip varieties. Blake’s Seed Based protein bars contain 15 grams of pea protein and are available in chocolate mint and mango lemon flavors.
• BRAMI, maker of snacking lupini beans that are marinated in savory seasonings and packaged fresh. The shelf-stable snacks are never baked, dried or fried, contain seven grams of plant protein per serving and are Non-GMO Project verified. Varieties include sea salt and vinegar, chili and lime, garlic and rosemary, and hot chili pepper.
• Ka-Pop! Ancient inGRAINed Snack Co., which offers ancient grain popped chips that are gluten-free, non-G.M.O. and vegan. The sorghum-based snacks are available in four flavors: dairy-free cheddar, rosemary garlic, salt and vinegar, and olive oil and sea salt.
• Origin Almond, maker of cold-pressed almond juice extracted via cold-press technology. Each variety is made with sprouted almonds, superfoods and adaptogens and contains no added sugars. Origin Almond juice comes in five varieties: lemon ginger, Thai coconut piña colada, ginger turmeric, green juice and lemon chai spice.
• Tiny Giants, a plant-based snack brand that makes yogurt alternatives for children. Packed with probiotics, the coconut-based yogurt alternatives come in berry, mango coconut and vanilla banana flavors. All varieties are U.S.D.A.-certified organic, gluten-free and kosher.