PepsiCo recently announced the return of its Greenhouse Accelerator (GHAC) programme in the Asia Pacific (Apac) region for the third consecutive year.
The GHAC is a pilot-oriented, mentorship-based programme in the region dedicated to fostering sustainable innovation and supporting startups by providing expert business advisory and collaboration opportunities with PepsiCo.
As a sustainability incubator in APAC, 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 Malaysia through the 2023 and 2024 cohorts, the programme focuses on supporting early-stage startups developing innovations aimed at reducing environmental impact, advancing renewable energy, and promoting sustainable farming practices.
GHAC continues to explore new ideas and test solutions that can drive meaningful change over time.
PepsiCo Apac VP Supply Chain A/NZ and Chief Sustainability Officer Ashley Brown said PepsiCo’s GHAC programme is dedicated to empowering startups with the tools, resources and mentorship required to drive meaningful change and scale innovations across food systems.
“Over the past two years, the programme 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,” he said in a statement.
GHAC will award US$20,000 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 programme.
Since its launch, the programme has established a track record of successful first-of-a-kind pilots leading to further collaboration with PepsiCo and partners, with 2024 winner Alterno being among the standouts.
As the winner of last year’s programme, Alterno is pioneering Asia’s first low-cost thermal energy storage solution for renewable energy.
Alterno’s sand battery technology offers a lower-emission alternative to traditional snack drying methods, with the potential to help PepsiCo reduce energy costs and emissions while demonstrating real-world applications.
“As sustainability rightly grows in importance for investors, consumers, and employees, accelerator programmes like GHAC play a crucial role in helping entrepreneurs meet these expectations and remain competitive.
“Applicants benefit not only from mentorship with seasoned professionals but also from direct collaboration with PepsiCo, a global industry leader that drives the programme and acts as the end user of their innovations,” Brown said.
He added that this provides access to decades of industry expertise, a strong partner network, and valuable insights to refine solutions and shape pilot opportunities.
To apply for the PepsiCo Greenhouse Accelerator 2025 APAC Sustainability Edition, visit greenhouseaccelerator.com/
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