Sustainable agriculture in the spotlight at PepsiCo’s second MENA edition of the Greenhouse Accelerator program

Iraq – 27 February 2023 – PepsiCo is inviting startups and entrepreneurs from the MENA region, including Iraq, to apply for the upcoming regional edition of its Greenhouse Accelerator Program. The theme of the upcoming round is sustainable agricultural practices, which closely aligns with PepsiCo’s end-to-end transformation strategy, pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) and its underlying ambitions for Positive Agriculture, as well as aiding in the region’s relief from food insecurity.

As part of the program, PepsiCo along with subject matter experts, will offer technical and strategic mentorship to applicants participating in the program, as well as access to local and regional knowledge networks.

“We understand the crucial role of innovation and sustainability in driving forward our pep+ strategy. With the region heavily reliant on imports, it's essential that we support the passionate changemakers working to make a significant impact through positive agricultural practices. The private sector has an important role to play in addressing the major challenges facing the MENA region, such as food security, arid climate, scarce arable land, and limited water supply, and our goal is to lead by example. Iraq remains a priority market for us, and we are deeply committed to our local partners but also to the communities in which we operate. We look forward to continuing to address food and water security issues in Iraq and helping those who manage these unpredictable situations build a stable future by strengthening their capabilities,” said Aamer Sheikh, CEO – Middle East, PepsiCo.

Through pep+, the company is working to source crops and ingredients in ways that restore the soil and strengthen farming communities, and the Greenhouse Accelerator Program is intended to unlock innovative and disruptive agricultural solutions in partnership with purpose-driven start-ups from the region.

Established and revenue-generating start-ups that are developing business models related to processes, products, and / or technologies and support the management of direct farming operations to reduce the carbon footprint in the agricultural space and enhance food security in the region are invited to apply via the Greenhouse Accelerator Program Website before the deadline of 10^th April 2023.

The participants that are chosen for the six-month program, will be challenged to demonstrate collaboration and measurable progress, based on a mutually developed action plan. They will receive support in the form of a $20,000 cash grant, one-on-one mentorship via access to experts from PepsiCo and partners, market activation and access to networks, and business opportunities. When the program ends, one winning company will be selected and awarded an additional $100,000 in funding to continue its expansion, and a potential opportunity to extend its partnership with PepsiCo to further expedite its growth.

The first MENA edition’s theme was sustainable packaging and recycling, and the winner was Nadeera, a social enterprise that leverages technology to promote waste sorting at source. Through its ‘Yalla Return’ product, Nadeera drives a trash-for-cash model, providing cash rewards based on the quantity of recyclables consumers turn in.

Throughout 2022, Iraqi smallholder farmers affected by conflict, displacement and climate change benefited from a $250,000 grant dispensed by PepsiCo in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) to build a stronger, more sustainable potato supply chain.

For more information on the Greenhouse Accelerator Program or to apply, please visit: Greenhouse Accelerator Program website or the PepsiCo Positive (pep+) Middle East LinkedIn page.