Food Entrepreneur PURCHASE, NY. — Eight finalists have been chosen for PepsiCo. Inc.’s second annual Greenhouse Accelerator Program: Juntos Crecemos (Together We Grow) Edition. The finalists were chosen based on brands and products innovating in Hispanic flavors and culture.

Brands also were chosen based on the potential to introduce innovative products in the food and beverage industry, scalability and commitment to quality, sustainability and community engagement.

The program began with a launch event at the Frito-Lay headquarters in Plano, Texas. The finalists were introduced to mentors, who will support them during the five month program.

In November, finalists present progress made in how they have implemented what they learned from mentors.

One finalist will be chosen by a committee who will receive an additional $100,000.

This year’s cohorts included:

  • Jas: an alcohol-free cocktail formulated with adaptogens and botanicals.
  • JaziLupini: a maker of plant-based, gluten-free pasta formulated from lupin flour and inspired by Latin American cuisine.
  • Maywell: a prebiotic soda brand sweetened with organic agave and Active Agave inulin.
  • Nemi: a crunchy snack made from nopales, seeds and mercado-fresh spices.
  • Paktli: an artisan snack made with organic puffed amaranth, quinoa, millet, chocolates, dried fruits and nuts inspired by 16th century Mexican alegrias.
  • Pricklee: a hydration beverage formulated from prickly pear cactus that features electrolytes, antioxidants and vitamin C.
  • Toast-It: gluten-free Latin American staples featuring arepas and pandebono bites made from yuca root and baked plantains.
  • ¡Ya Oaxaca!: a maker of artisanal mole sauces abodos and salsas that are natural, Non-GMO, gluten-free and vegan. 
“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.”


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