The firm recently announced the 10 startup finallists for GHAC APAC, covering a wide range of disciplines from waste management solutions and upcycling methodologies to green hydrogen systems.
PepsiCo Greenhouse Accelerator APAC 2025 Finallists
- Calyx.eco (Australia) - AI-powered platform to drive business sustainability
- Endua (Australia) - Green hydrogen sustainable energy solutions
- Beijing AIForce Technology Co. Ltd. (China) - AI-powered farm machinery
- Beijing Phabuilder Biotechnology Co. Ltd. (China) - Bio-based manufacturing, biodegradeable PHA plastics
- Guangdong Databeyond Technology Co. Ltd. (China) - AI-powered waste-sorting
- Service Enviro SCAD Inc. (China) - Upcycling of organic waste
- Shanghai Electric Group Co. Ltd. Central Academe (China) - Zero-carbon steam solution for sustainable energy
- Bali Waste Cycle (CV Bakti Bumi Berseri) (Indonesia) - Upcycling plastic waste to renewable energy and other products
- Circular Unite (Singapore) - AI-driven waste management solutions
- DEEGOLABs Inc (South Korea) - AI-powered mobile PET recycling solution
According to PepsiCo APAC Chief Sustainability Officer Ashley Brown, PepsiCo sees the GHAC as a ‘win-win’ solution for both the company as well as the start-ups involved in the programme.
“The GHAC is a strategic extension of our business priorities in Asia Pacific. It enables us to work alongside startups to test, adapt, and scale innovations that drive both sustainability outcomes and commercial value,” he told FoodNavigator-Asia.
“In a region as dynamic and complex as APAC, agility and local relevance are essential. GHAC strengthens our ability to tap into emerging ecosystems, pilot technologies tailored to local needs, and pressure-test solutions faster and more cost-effectively than traditional models would allow.
“GHAC [helps us to] builds a pipeline of innovations that can strengthen our supply chains, enhance resource efficiency, and unlock new growth opportunities — aligning directly with our long-term PepsiCo Positive ambitions.
“Importantly, it’s a win-win: Start-ups gain resources and access to commercialisation pathways, while we gain early insight into technologies and models that can future-proof our operations in APAC and beyond.”
Indeed, PepsiCo has seen several core case studies of these ‘win-win’ situations already being realised with the winners of its past two GHAC cohorts in APAC, and is hopeful that this will continue with this year’s GHAC as well.
“One example we’re particularly encouraged by is our work with Powered Carbon, the winner from the 2023 GHAC – they employ CO₂ to cultivate bacteria for soil enhancers.
“As one of the world’s largest producers of potato-based snacks, PepsiCo can integrate Powered Carbon’s CO₂-based soil enhancers into our operations to increase yields with a lower-carbon product, [and GHAC has enabled] this innovation to be tested on potatoes at Shandong and Guangdong farms in China.
“Another partnership is with Alternō, winner of the 2024 edition. With PepsiCo’s mentorship, Alternō developed a sand-based thermal energy storage system, which was piloted at our co-manufacturing food plant in Vietnam.
“Early application of the sand battery has shown its capability of applying heat to food processes with the potential to reduce both natural gas and utility costs.
“Building on this progress, we’re exploring further collaboration with partners like Suntory PepsiCo in Thailand and Vietnam and embedding GHAC insights into how we approach technology investments, supplier engagement, and operational planning.”
Each finallist will each receive a US$20,000 grant and gain access to PepsiCo’s global ecosystem of experts and go-to-market resources, as well as tailored mentorship and learning modules from PepsiCo executives.
At the end of the programme, the winning start-up will be awarded an additional US$100,000 to scale its innovation further.
Big plans moving forward
Based on these successful past examples, Brown is optimistic that more fruitful partnerships are still to be found from within the APAC region.
“Successes like these are helping shape how we approach future investments in sustainable infrastructure across the APAC region,” he said.
“It’s a strong proof point that sustainability-led innovation can deliver both environmental and business outcomes — and a model we aim to replicate and scale where feasible.
“The 2025 cohort will continue this trajectory — focusing on scalable solutions in climate, circularity, and sustainability that align closely with our regional business priorities.”
