Nemi Snacks, a SweetGrass Trading Company vendor, has been selected as one of eight participants in the 2024 PepsiCo Greenhouse Accelerator Program: Juntos Crecemos (Together We Grow) Edition. This program focuses on high-potential consumer packaged food and beverage brands inspired by Hispanic flavors and culture that are “better for people and the planet.”
The finalists were chosen for their potential to introduce innovative products, scalability, and commitment to quality, sustainability, and community engagement. Nemi Snacks, a woman-owned company based in Chicago, produces vegan, grain-free crunchy snack sticks made with nopales (prickly pear cactus paddles), seeds, and spices. SweetGrass Trading Co. offers their products in two flavors: Churro Cinnamon and Pickled Jalapeno.
“Being part of the Greenhouse Accelerator Program Juntos Crecemos is an honor, a gift, and a responsibility I don’t take for granted,” Regina Trillo, founder of Nemi Snacks, said. “Not long ago, I second-guessed starting this business due to lack of experience. This opportunity bridges the gap between idea and execution, providing the information and tools to succeed and helping to create an industry that truly reflects today’s society.”
According to the Greenhouse Accelerator website, “the collaborative accelerator program is designed to nurture the growth of emerging and sustainable brands in the food and beverage sector.”
Each finalist will receive a $20,000 grant and be paired with a PepsiCo mentor for the five-month accelerator program. During this time, they will present their progress, showcasing how they’ve implemented their mentors’ insights to accelerate their business growth. At the end of the program, a selection committee will choose one of the eight finalists to receive an additional $100,000 grant.