The PepsiCo Greenhouse Accelerator (GHAC) program is making its return in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region for the third consecutive year.
The GHAC is a pilot-oriented, mentorship-based program dedicated to fostering sustainable innovation in agriculture, circular economy and greenhouse gas emissions reduction, supporting startups by providing expert business advisory and collaboration opportunities with PepsiCo.
GHAC reinforces PepsiCo’s commitment to finding solutions that contribute to progress in circular economy, sustainable agriculture, and climate action. With 15 pilots initiated in seven markets including ANZ through the 2023 and 2024 cohorts, the program focuses on supporting early-stage startups developing innovations aimed at reducing environmental impact, advancing renewable energy, and promoting sustainable farming practices.
PepsiCo vice president of supply chain – ANZ and chief sustainability officer – APAC, Ashley Brown said, “PepsiCo’s Greenhouse Accelerator Program is dedicated to empowering startups with the tools, resources and mentorship required to drive meaningful change and scale innovations across our food systems.
“Over the past two years, the program has successfully launched 15 startup pilots across APAC with PepsiCo and partners, and engaged with 95 venture capital firms and institutions, reinforcing our focus on fostering a robust sustainability ecosystem.”
GHAC will award US$20,000 in grants to each of the 10 finalists, with an additional US$100,000 granted to the winning startup. Finalists will also receive wrap-around mentorship from PepsiCo executives and business accelerator experts to help overcome challenges and catalyse growth. This year, GHAC has teamed up with GC Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC) and long-term collaborator Circulate Capital to provide tailored feedback and guidance to participants throughout the program.
“As sustainability rightly grows in importance for investors, consumers, and employees, accelerator programs like GHAC play a crucial role in helping entrepreneurs meet these expectations and remain competitive,” Brown added.
“Applicants benefit not only from mentorship with seasoned professionals but also from direct collaboration with PepsiCo, a global industry leader that drives the program and acts as the end user of their innovations. This provides access to decades of industry expertise, a strong partner network, and valuable insights to refine solutions and shape pilot opportunities.”