PLANO, TEXAS — Fourteen female founders were named to the latest Stacy’s Rise Project class, a grant and mentoring program for women-owned businesses. The program was established by Stacy’s Pita Chips, a brand owned by the Frito-Lay North America division of PepsiCo, Inc.

Over the past six years, Stacy’s Pita Chips has provided more than $1 million in funding to women entrepreneurs. The winners of the latest class were selected from more than 9,000 applicants. Each will receive a $15,000 grant, mentorship and networking opportunities. Stacy’s Pita Chips partnered with Hello Alice and Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada to support the participants.

“Stacy’s Pita Chips is a brand that believes that when one woman rises, we all rise,” said Rhasheda Boyd, vice president of marketing at Frito-Lay. “Women-owned businesses only receive 2% of venture capital funding, yet businesses founded by women have an average return on investment of two times per dollar invested. Stacy’s is investing in the futures of women-led businesses through the Stacy’s Rise Project.”

The Stacy’s Rise Project Class of 2023 winners are:

Dorielle Price, Hallandale Beach, Fla., co-founder of EasyPeasie, a brand of dried, ground vegetable blends for children

Michelle Razavi, Los Angeles, co-founder of ELAVI, a line of snacks developed by fitness trainers

Essilfua Bartels, Englewood, NJ, founder of EssieSpice, small-batch sauces, dry rubs and condiments made with indigenous spices from Ghana

Jane Barden, Durango, Colo., founder of Farm to Summit, a dehydrated food company focused on reducing food waste

Shelley Elkovich, Portland, Ore., founder of For Bitter For Worse, a line of non-alcoholic cocktails formulated with herbs and botanicals

Diana Rios Jasso, Washington, founder of Jarabe Gourmet Pops, a maker of Mexican-style ice pops

Jacqueline Grady Smith, Somerville, Mass., founder of Not Just Co., a brand of multipurpose sauces and dressings

Rhonda Cammon, Nashville, Tenn., founder of Perfectly Cordial, a line of cocktail and mocktail mixers

Patrice Cunningham, Washington, founder of Tae-Gu-Kimchi, a producer of Napa Cabbage kimchi inspired by a family recipe

Monica Sunny, Marietta, Ga., founder of The Chai Box, a brand of sustainably and ethically sourced chai concentrates and loose-leaf tea blends

Carolyn Simon, Toronto, founder of Choose Life Foods, a maker of plant-based Caribbean-inspired dishes

Elaine Tan Comeau, Coquitlam, BC, founder of Easy Daysies, a line of daily visual schedules for children and adults

Jolene Johnson, Tobique First Nation, NB, founder of Wabanaki Maple, a maker of maple syrup with a twist

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