Having launched last year (2017), the initiative looks to “support food entrepreneurs through a collaborative mentor-guided business acceleration program.”
Brands must focus on helping people lead healthier lives, with particular areas of interest listed as: nutrition, performance, lifestyle and purpose.
Each successful applicant will receive a €20,000 grant as well as an invite to PepsiCo’s 6-month business optimisation programme, where they will work with PepsiCo mentors to develop all aspects of their brand.
At the end of the programme, one company will be awarded a further €100,000 grant.
This year’s 10 finalists are as below:
- A1C Foods - Ran Hirsch & Mariela Glandt (Israel)
Low-carbohydrate food products using a formula designed to lower the glycemic index without use of artificial sweeteners.
- Agrasys - Veronica Guerra (Barcelona)
Company behind Tritordeum - a Mediterranean cereal made from durum wheat and a wild barley, with nutritional and agronomic benefits suitable for a wide range of cereal-based foods and beverages.
- Gryö - Julia Berdugo (Paris)
Organic snacks made with alternative proteins.
- Le Petit Beret - Fathi Benni (France)
Non-alcoholic wine produced without fermentation, preservatives or sulphites.
- Nibble Protein - Erin Moroney (London)
High protein, gluten and dairy free bites made with less sugar and suitable for vegan and diabetic diets.
- Revolicious - Jessica Barac (London)
Ready-to-eat dairy and gluten free smoothie bowls, made with a 100% natural ingredient base.
- Rokit Pods - Scott Markham (Oxfordshire)
Organic, vegan-friendly drinks capsules compatible with a range of well-known coffee machines.
- The Sprouted Grain Company - Nili Badanowski (Israel)
Nutrient-dense, easy-to-digest whole grains, legumes, flours, nuts and seeds,
- WellDrinks - Alexander Kamcharov (Bulgaria)
A new brand of functional beverages, made by combining hydrolyzed collagen with vitamins and minerals.
- Yofix - Steve Grun (Israel)
Vegan and soy-free fermented dairy alternatives.