PepsiCo has announced the winner of its fifth annual Greenhouse Accelerator program is LifeNome, a precision health AI company that leverages data to provide personalised, science-based health and wellness insights and analytics.
With renewed consumer interest in personal health and wellness due to the pandemic, PepsiCo focused this year’s Greenhouse Accelerator program on finding emerging, disruptive tech-driven solutions that address consumer needs. This includes those in personalised nutrition and functional foods and supplements.
There are ten participants in the six-month, mentor-guided experience.
“PepsiCo continues to gain incredible value from our work with start-ups as we focus on AI, data and new technologies to become even more consumer-centric,” PepsiCo Ventures Group managing director Daniel Grubbs said.
“Over the years, the Greenhouse program has evolved to support the innovators and entrepreneurs that appeal to changing consumer needs—and none became more apparent than the focus on personal health and wellness brought on by the pandemic.”
Each of the Greenhouse Accelerator program finalists were awarded a $20,000 grant, and as this year’s winner LifeNome will receive an additional $100,000 grant.
During their time in the program, LifeNome rebranded and launched 9Moons, an AI-powered tool that provides OB-GYN and nutritionist-backed advice on pregnancy nutrition from pre-conception through post-delivery.
“The world of health and wellness is changing rapidly thanks to emerging technologies,” PepsiCo SVP, R&D and chief medical officer Antonio Tataranni said.
“With this year’s program focusing on disruptive technologies and sciences, we’ve seen a fascinating glimpse of where consumers are headed and how technology will further enable innovation in health and wellness.
“I’m inspired by all ten finalists and am excited to apply our learnings from the program as we continue to advance our thinking in this space.”
LifeNome was chosen by a committee of PepsiCo leaders based on its mission to create personalised solutions for consumers, overall engagement in the program and the launch of 9Moons.
“The guidance and collaboration from our PepsiCo mentors were critical in the development and launch of 9Moons,” LifeNome co-founder and CEO Ali Mostashari said.
“Leveraging their expertise in branding, go-to-market strategy, demand planning and scientific validation helped us quickly bring 9Moons to the market to meet the needs of expecting and new mothers. We are thrilled to be recognised for bringing science-based personalisation to pregnancy nutrition.”
PepsiCo originally launched the Greenhouse Accelerator program in Europe in 2017, expanding the program to North America in 2018. It awarded Hapi Drinks, a sugar-free kids drinks company founded with the mission to fight childhood obesity, as the winning brand in 2019 and female-owned sweet potato puff snack maker Spudsy as the winner in 2020.
For more details on the PepsiCo Greenhouse Accelerator program, visit www.greenhouseaccelerator.com.