Applications for sustainability innovators now being accepted for PepsiCo’s third iteration of Greenhouse Accelerator Program

For the third year in a row, PepsiCo, a leader in convenient foods and beverages worldwide, is pleased to announce the return of its Greenhouse Accelerator (GHAC) program in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. The GHAC is a pilot-focused, mentorship-based program in the area that supports startups by offering professional business advice and opportunities for collaboration with PepsiCo. Its goals are to promote sustainable innovation in agriculture, the circular economy, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

GHAC, a preeminent APAC sustainability incubator, reaffirms PepsiCo’s dedication to identifying solutions that advance the circular economy, sustainable agriculture, and climate action.

The program supports early-stage startups creating innovations to reduce environmental impact, advance renewable energy, and promote sustainable farming practices. It has launched 15 pilots in seven markets through the 2023 and 2024 cohorts. GHAC keeps looking into novel concepts and testing solutions that have the potential to eventually bring about significant change.

According to statistics, 39% of SMEs in Asia Pacific are unable to match internal business growth objectives with environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) initiatives. PepsiCo is responding by offering specific advice to assist these SMEs in achieving long-term growth via GHAC.

“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,” said Ashley Brown, VP Supply Chain ANZ & Chief Sustainability Officer, PepsiCo APAC.

Each of the ten finalists will receive a $20,000 grant from GHAC, and the winning startup will receive an additional $100,000 USD. In order to overcome obstacles and spur growth, finalists will also receive comprehensive mentoring from PepsiCo executives and business accelerator specialists.

In order to offer participants individualized feedback and direction throughout the program, GHAC has partnered with GC Ventures, the corporate venture capital division of PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC), and longtime partner Circulate Capital. In 2025, Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam Beverage (SPVB) and Suntory PepsiCo Beverage (Thailand), PepsiCo’s bottling partners, will extend their collaboration throughout Vietnam and Thailand.

With 2024 winner Alterno among the highlights, the program has a history of successful first-of-a-kind pilots since its inception, which have led to additional cooperation with PepsiCo and partners.

Alterno, the program’s winner from the previous year, is leading the way in Asia’s first affordable thermal energy storage solution for renewable energy. With the potential to assist PepsiCo in lowering energy expenses and emissions while showcasing practical uses, Alterno’s sand battery technology presents a viable, less harmful substitute for conventional snack drying techniques.

“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. 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,” Ashley added.