PepsiCo, a global food and beverage company, has announced Alternō as the winner of its 2024 Greenhouse Accelerator Program in the Asia-Pacific region. The program, which supports innovative startups focused on sustainability, is part of PepsiCo’s pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) strategy to reduce environmental impact.
Alternō was chosen from 10 finalists for its innovative sand-based battery technology, which can help reduce carbon emissions in agriculture, industry, and residential heating. The company will receive a $100,000 grant to further develop its technology, which has already been tested at a PepsiCo food plant in Vietnam.
“PepsiCo’s mentorship and resources have helped us sharpen our strategy and accelerate our growth,” Hai Ho, co-founder and COO of Alternō, said in a statement. “We look forward to further collaborating with PepsiCo to expand the reach of our solution and contribute to a more sustainable future.”
Another finalist was Takachar, a Filipino startup developing low-cost systems to turn crop and forest residues into valuable products like biofuels and fertilizers. These systems could significantly reduce air pollution caused by biomass burning.
The Greenhouse Accelerator Program offers startups mentorship, funding, and access to PepsiCo’s industry network.
“Through our pep+ strategy, PepsiCo is proud to support visionary entrepreneurs who are helping to build a future where businesses and the planet can thrive,” said Wern-Yuen Tan, CEO, PepsiCo in Asia Pacific. “By fostering collaboration, mentorship, and access to resources, we are helping to scale innovative ideas that seek to address critical environmental and social challenges.”
In just four months, the program has launched several pilots, aiming to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable agriculture and circular supply chains. PepsiCo is exploring a third edition of the program for 2025, continuing its investment in sustainable business solutions across the region.