WITH the growing demand for innovative solutions, PepsiCo’s Greenhouse Accelerator in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region addresses challenges in the food and beverage industry. Since its launch in 2023, the accelerator has become a key part of PepsiCo’s sustainability strategy (pep+), embedding environmentally conscious practices.
By collaborating with startups focused on climate action, regenerative agriculture and waste reduction, the program turns ideas into practical solutions, advancing technologies and business models for a more resilient food system.
In a recent interview, Alan Choi, APAC’s senior vice president and chief financial officer (CFO), stressed that the accelerator provides more than financial support. “It’s really about partnerships,” Choi explained, highlighting how PepsiCo connects startups with industry experts, mentorship and early-stage testing opportunities — ensuring great ideas can scale effectively.
Startups gain valuable expertise across marketing, finance, operations and legal, helping them sharpen their business strategies. From day one, PepsiCo integrates these solutions into its operations, ensuring they are practical for real-world applications and poised for rapid scaling.
Seven out of ten startups launched pilots within PepsiCo’s operations in 2024, showcasing the program’s ability to unlock tangible business opportunities. Altern, the 2024 winner, developed a thermal energy storage system using sand batteries to reduce carbon emissions across agriculture, industry and residential heating. The technology was piloted at PepsiCo’s food plant in Vietnam, initially focusing on pellet drying, with plans to expand into oil heating.
“Winning PepsiCo’s APAC Greenhouse Accelerator Program 2024 is a pivotal moment for our startup,” said Hai Ho, co-founder and chief operating officer of Altern. “PepsiCo’s mentorship and resources have helped us sharpen our strategy and accelerate our growth. We look forward to further collaborating with PepsiCo to expand the reach of our solution and contribute to a more sustainable future.”
Takachar, a startup operating in both India and the Philippines, exemplifies the accelerator’s focus on accessibility. Their technology converts crop and forest residues into biochar, a sustainable fertilizer, turning waste into value. “They work with small farmers,” Choi shared.
Choi explained that PepsiCo facilitated a pilot on farms in India, helping Takachar expand its reach while supporting innovative solutions across diverse markets. “If we can make these pilots successful in one market, we have the potential to scale them across our global network,” Choi elaborated.
Support for alumni continues after the program. TURN, a 2023 finalist, partnered with Gatorade to provide reusable cups across Australian Football League clubs, aiming to replace 200,000 single-use cups annually.
Adiona, a startup providing real-time data visibility for delivery operations, is now in a second-phase pilot, actively analyzing PepsiCo’s delivery data and proposing efficiency enhancements at its Tingalpa plant. These improvements can potentially shorten travel distances and, in turn, reduce CO2 emissions.
Powered Carbon, the 2023 winner, has increased its income sixfold and expanded operations to supply low-carbon bio-fertilizers to PepsiCo’s potato farms in China. While financial support — $20,000 per participant and a $100,000 prize for the grand winner — plays a role, Choi emphasized that mentorship, networking and scaling opportunities are the real drivers of impact. Applications doubled from 100 in 2023 to 200 in 2024, reflecting growing interest in the program.
The Greenhouse Accelerator is central to PepsiCo’s broader sustainability strategy. “Sustainability and our pep+ strategy are fundamental to our business,” Choi stressed, highlighting efforts to address climate change, water scarcity, and plastic waste. He described the accelerator as a “critical part of our sustainability strategy,” built around collaboration and innovation to transform the food system. Choi anticipates an even greater impact as new startups join across the APAC region.
“There’s a real entrepreneurial and collaborative spirit here — startups are eager to work with us and pilot their solutions,” Choi added. It operates on the principle that teamwork and innovative thinking are essential for solving today’s challenges. Each new startup reflects PepsiCo’s continued focus on sustainability, working toward a future where businesses, communities, and the planet can grow together.
“What stands out for me in this region is the diversity of startups and their focus on solutions that work in emerging markets,” Choi pointed out.
Looking ahead, PepsiCo is exploring new editions of the accelerator for 2025, aiming to uncover more innovative solutions that can scale across APAC and beyond. By collaborating with these innovators, PepsiCo continues to support the development of solutions aligned with its sustainability goals and long-term vision.
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