PURCHASE, NY.  — PepsiCo, Inc. is bringing back its Greenhouse Accelerator Program: Juntos Crecemos (Together We Grow) Edition for its second year. The program provides funding and knowledge from PepsiCo experts to help grow their businesses.

“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 and 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.”

The program is part of pep+ (PepsiCo Positive’s) transformation agenda, which aims to foster a more circular and inclusive value chain, according to the company.

The program will focus on Hispanic-owned consumer packaged goods food and beverage startups that are offering better-for-you snacks and beverages for consumers.

PepsiCo said it will choose eight businesses that will receive a $20,000 grant and join its five-month mentorship program. PepsiCo said it will help the winners address business challenges, which may include brand development, scaling technology, business model development, production optimization and go-to-market strategy.

The finalists selected will present their plans throughout the year to address individual business needs, progress and results to an evaluation committee. In November, the committee will award $100,000 to a business that they feel has shown the most success throughout the duration of the program.

Mexican-inspired snack company Chuza was selected as the winner of last year’s program. Chuza, which was founded by Daniel Schwarz in 2021, offers an assortment of spicy fruit and vegetables that are seasoned with Mexican spices.

Since winning last year’s program, Schwarz has been focused on product packaging improvements and working on new product innovations, which 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,” Schwarz said. “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.”

The Greenhouse Accelerator Program began expanding to North America in 2018 and is now in its ninth iteration, according to the company. 

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