PepsiCo Selects Brands for Nutrition Greenhouse Platform
By Brett Dworski on Nov. 12, 2018PURCHASE, N.Y. –PepsiCo has selected the brands that will join its Nutrition Greenhouse program, an initiative designed to accelerate growth and provide mentorship to smaller, emerging companies in the food and beverage market. The brands were chosen based on product uniqueness and scalability of its business models.
Each brand will receive a $20,000 grant and participate in a six-month business optimization program focused on marketing, distribution, manufacturing, supply chain, packaging, label claims and fundraising. At the end of the program, one company will receive an additional $100,000 based on its progress and may continue partnering with PepsiCo.
"Nutrition Greenhouse was created with the intent of supporting change-making startups of the future," said Daniel Grubbs, managing director of Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo’s ventures group. "We are very excited to collaborate with, help grow and learn from these incredible companies. Each finalist is unique in their own way, but one thing they all share is they're mission-driven and purposeful, which is very much aligned with our own Performance with Purpose agenda."
This isn’t PepsiCo’s first rodeo with brand-acceleration programs. In August 2018, the company launched The Hive, another platform meant to develop smaller, emerging brands within its North American portfolio. Brands selected for The Hive included organic oat producer Maker Oats and beverage labels Stubborn Soda and Looza.
Here are the 10 food and beverage brands in PepsiCo’s Nutrition Greenhouse program …
1. Bohana
Boston-based Bohana produces popped water lily seed snacks in three flavors: Himalayan Pink Salt, Wild White Cheddar and Soulful Spice. One 2-ounce bag of the seeds contains 110 to 120 calories and 3 grams of plant-based protein per serving. Bohana’s Water Lily seeds are grown in Bihar, India.
2. Hapi Drinks
Hapi Drinks offers healthy beverages for kids to fight childhood obesity and Type 2 diabetes. Its flagship product, Hapi Water, comes in four flavors: Grape D’vine, Pure Punch, Apple Joy and Strawberry Kiwi. Each variety comes in a 6-ounce stand-up pouch and is sugar-free.
3. IQ Bar
IQ Bar, a snack bar made with healthy fats instead of carbohydrates, comes in three varieties: Cacao Almond Sea Salt, Blueberry Lemon Sunflower and Matcha Chai Hazelnut. The Boston-based brand runs on three core principles: support mental function, promote brain health and delight with deliciousness.
4. Remedy Organics
Englewood Cliffs, N.J.-based Remedy Organics crafts plant-based functional beverages made with superfoods, ayurvedic herbs and botanicals as well as protein and probiotics. Its varieties include Superseed Fuel, Cacao Essentials, Matcha Oxidants, Vanilla Essentials, Cold Brew Energy and Golden Oxidants.
5. Rule Breaker Snacks
Rule Breaker Snacks, Brooklyn, N.Y., manufactures bean-based cookies including Birthday Cake Blondies, Deep Chocolate Brownies, Chocolate Chunk Blondies and P’Nutter Chocolate Chip Blondies. Each cookie is high in protein and fiber and is gluten-free, vegan and non-GMO.
6. Sophie's Kitchen
The only non-snack or beverage company in PepsiCo’s program, Sophie’s Kitchen, Sebastopol, Calif., makes plant-based seafood alternatives that are 100% gluten-free, 100% soy-free, Non-GMO Project verified and kosher. Its products include Crab Cakes, Pastrami Jerky, Fish Fillet and Coconut Shrimp.
7. Too Fit
Fitness brand Too Fit, Fort Worth, Texas, crafts beverage powders for pre- and post-workout protein drinks. The company’s audience ranges from strict-eating athletes to anyone seeking to optimally fuel their body and build a balanced lifestyle, according to the company.
8. Torii Labs
Calabasas, Calif.-based Torii Labs produces plant-based functional beverages aimed to provide consumers with balance and an improved mind-body connection. Its beverages contain a variety of adaptogenic herbs and organic juices. Flavors include Torri Awake, Torri Restore and Torri Unwind.
9. Wildway
Wildway manufactures grain-free granola, grain-free hot cereal and smoothie mixes. The San Antonio-based company’s products sport an outdoor-adventure theme. Items include Coconut Cashew, Vanilla Bean and Banana Nut Granola; Cinnamon Roll and Blueberry Flax cereal; and Recharge and Restore smoothie mixes.
10. YoFiit
The only non-U.S. company in the program, YoFiit makes protein bars and milk substitutes. The Toronto-based company focuses on functional, clean and innovative meal solutions, offering products such as chickpea-based milk, Morning Fibre Bars, Midday Energy Bars and All Day Protein Bars.