PepsiCo Launches Second Greenhouse Accelerator for North America; Applications Due Jan. 6

Last week, PepsiCo officially launched its second Greenhouse Collaborative Accelerator program in North America. The program is a startup incubator to help grow “purpose-driven brands at the forefront of transformative trends that are changing the way consumers eat and drink.”

Ten U.S.- or Canada-based startups will be selected to participate. PepsiCo is specifically looking for companies tackling problems in these categories:

• Plant-based solutions

• Natural ingredients that nurture us

• Energy & mood management

• Enabling healthy consumption in a sustainable way

Each participant will be granted $20,000 in funding and will participate in a 6-month program to accelerate their growth. At the end, one company will receive an additional $100,000 in funding.

The Greenhouse program is specifically targeted toward “businesses or brands [that] integrate purpose into their offering, meeting the needs of current and future consumers, communities, and/or our planet.” Last year’s winner was Hapi Drinks, a “sugar-free kids drink founded with the mission to fight childhood obesity and Type II diabetes.” PepsiCo reports that the 10 companies in the first cohort grew an average of 200%.

Applications are due January 6. More details here.