PepsiCo’s 2025 Greenhouse Accelerator Cohort Features Strong A/NZ Representation as Startups Drive Scalable Sustainability Solutions Across Food, Energy, and Waste in APAC

PepsiCo has announced the 10 startup finalists for the third edition of its Greenhouse Accelerator Program in Asia Pacific — a bold initiative to fast-track innovation across sustainable agriculture, the circular economy, and climate action.

The finalists include two Australian startups. Calyx.eco, a Sydney-based startup providing data driven insights into the environmental impacts of the supply chain for food and beverage companies, and Endua, a Brisbane-based startup developing the on-site production of green hydrogen.

“This grant will really help us scale up our efforts to empower food and beverage businesses to be more sustainable. With the grant, we can continue to offer more companies with tangible insights into how supply chains can be improved to lower its environmental impact,” said Calyx.eco Chief Executive Officer, Lauren Branson.

The finalists will benefit from expert mentorship, access to PepsiCo’s networks, and the opportunity to pilot their solutions in real-world market conditions, helping scale commercially viable innovations that can strengthen resilience and sustainability across the food and beverage value chain.

“We’re on a mission to make hydrogen power more accessible across Australia. But it’s no small feat, and grants like this really help us to continue to grow and provide self-sufficient, sustainable and cost-effective energy across Australian industries,” said Endua Chief Executive Officer, Paul Sernia (PHD).

Startups from Australia and New Zealand were well represented among applicants, with 45 applications in circular economy, sustainable agriculture and climate – the second highest number of applications in the APAC region and highest per capita.

GHAC has grown into a key platform for advancing sustainable innovation across Asia Pacific. Each edition sharpens its focus on regional priorities — from promoting regenerative farming practices and increasing soil efficiency to scaling low-carbon solutions in packaging and logistics. What sets the program apart is its partnership-driven model, enabling entrepreneurs to refine their solutions alongside PepsiCo experts, pilot in real-world settings, and explore practical pathways to scale within the food and beverage value chain.

“Now in its third edition, the Greenhouse Accelerator is becoming a powerful platform for surfacing promising ideas that respond to some of the most urgent sustainability challenges in Asia Pacific,” said Anne Tse, Chief Executive Officer, PepsiCo Asia Pacific (APAC). “From climate resilience to circular packaging and smarter agriculture, we’re seeing bold thinking that is both locally grounded and globally relevant. We’re excited to back these early-stage innovators and learn from them as we explore ways to scale practical solutions across our value chain. Each edition strengthens our ecosystem of changemakers, and we look forward to what this year’s finalists will unlock—not just during the program but well beyond it.”

Meet the 2025 Greenhouse Accelerator APAC Finalists (Details in Appendix 1.0 below):

Calyx.eco (Australia)
Endua (Australia)
Beijing AIForce Technology Co. Ltd. (China)
Beijing Phabuilder Biotechnology Co. Ltd. (China)
Guangdong Databeyond Technology Co. Ltd. (China)
Service Enviro SCAD Inc. (China)
Shanghai Electric Group Co. Ltd. Central Academe (China)
Bali Waste Cycle (CV Bakti Bumi Berseri) (Indonesia)
Circular Unite (Singapore)
DEEGOLABs Inc (South Korea)

Despite their varied focus areas — from waste management and agriculture to renewable packaging and clean energy — this year’s startups are united by a shared commitment to innovation and system-level change. The 2025 cohort demonstrates how emerging technologies — including AI-powered lifecycle assessments, precision agriculture, mobile recycling, and molten salt energy storage — are being applied to reduce environmental footprint and improve sustainability outcomes across traditional systems. These startups are building practical, scalable tools that reduce environmental pressure and help accelerate resource-efficient progress across sectors like food, energy, and waste.

Many of this year’s finalists also hope to tackle social and economic challenges through inclusive job creation and community empowerment. Hailing from Australia, China, Indonesia, Singapore, and South Korea, the finalists will each receive a AUD 31,542 grant and gain access to PepsiCo’s global ecosystem of experts and go-to-market resources. Finalists will also benefit from tailored mentorship and learning modules from PepsiCo executives and leading business acceleration specialists to help overcome growth challenges, refine business strategies, and scale up their market-ready solutions. At the end of the program, the winning startup will be awarded an additional AUD157,000 to scale its innovation further.

Since its launch, GHAC has awarded over AUD 1.5 million in grants, launched 16 pilots across APAC, and contributed to pilots and innovation partnerships that have taken place across more than 11 manufacturing sites and farms. Globally, the Greenhouse Accelerator has supported 112 companies and engaged more than 200 mentors. Approximately 80 per cent of participating startups have successfully secured additional incremental funding following the program, underscoring its impact in accelerating sustainable innovation. Standouts include 2024 and 2023 program winners Alternō and Powered Carbon, along with finalists X-Centric and Enwise, who are partnering with PepsiCo beyond the accelerator program.

PepsiCo recognises that the long-term success of its business is closely tied to the health of the planet, resilient food systems, and thriving communities. Over the past two years, GHAC has expanded its innovation ecosystem — welcoming new strategic partners and deepening its reach across the region. As a collaborative platform, the program brings together entrepreneurs, corporations, and communities to scale solutions that drive meaningful environmental and commercial impact. This edition is made possible with the support of partners, including Suntory PepsiCo Beverages Thailand, Suntory PepsiCo Beverages Vietnam, GC Ventures, Circulate Capital, CM Venture Capital, GRC Sino GreenFund, and Plug and Play — extending the program’s role in shaping a growing regional network of innovators.

For more information about PepsiCo’s Greenhouse Accelerator, visit the website https://greenhouseaccelerator.com/, LinkedIn, or X.

About PepsiCo

PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated nearly $92 billion in net revenue in 2024, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the center of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for the planet and people. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com and follow on X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @PepsiCo.

Appendix 1

Country	Company	Focus	Description of Solution	Startup Leadership & Quote
Australia	Calyx.eco	Climate	Calyx.eco enables businesses to achieve scalable, data-driven sustainability with the world’s first AI-powered Rapid LCA platform—delivering real-time, ingredient-level impact insights to drive climate action and supply chain transparency.	Lauren Branson, Chief Executive Officer, Calyx.eco “We’re thrilled to be a finalist—it’s a powerful validation of the work we’re doing to transform food systems through sustainability intelligence. What excites us most is the opportunity to collaborate with PepsiCo and its partners to tackle one of the food industry’s most urgent challenges: how to build resilient, sustainable supply chains at scale. The Greenhouse Accelerator is a rare platform that brings innovation and impact together and it gives us the chance to accelerate our regional expansion, pilot our technology with real suppliers, and show how high-definition impact data can unlock measurable improvements across business objectives. We’re here to move fast, go deep, and create real change—alongside one of the most ambitious food companies in the world.”
Australia	Endua	Climate	Endua delivers modular, on-site Green hydrogen solutions powered by next-generation PEM electrolysis—enabling scalable, cost-effective energy independence for industries across APAC.	Paul Sernia, Chief Executive Officer, Endua “We are excited for the opportunity to connect with and look to establish a pilot within the PepsiCo supply chain. Hydrogen is a versatile carrier of clean energy and we are looking forward to understanding the Pepsi business better, and seeing where hydrogen can add value as a zero-emission alternative to fossil fuels.”
China	Beijing AIForce Technology Co. Ltd.	Sustainable Agriculture	AIForce Technology is China’s leading agricultural robotics innovator, pioneering zero-emission, AI-powered farm machinery like the VOLTOR electric tractor to revolutionise intelligent, autonomous, and sustainable farming at scale.	Dr Han Wei, Chief Executive Officer, Beijing AIForce Technology Co. Ltd. “Being a finalist in the program is most exciting because it allows us to leverage PepsiCo’s global resource network and learn from its advanced agricultural sustainability philosophy, enhancing our understanding of sustainable agriculture and food supply chain synergy while broadening our global business perspective. Additionally, it accelerates the validation of our smart electric tractor’s carbon reduction value within the food supply chain. By collaborating with PepsiCo to create a “Zero-Carbon Smart Farm” benchmark, we aim to directly address market scalability needs, strengthen our technical commercialisation capabilities, and deliver replicable solutions for global agricultural green transformation. This platform not only tests the practical value of our product but also serves as a pivotal opportunity to transition our team from technology innovators to ecosystem builders in the industry.”
China	Beijing Phabuilder Biotechnology Co. Ltd	Circular Economy	PhaBuilder leads bio-based manufacturing, pioneering biodegradable PHA plastics through next-gen fermentation technology to drive the circular economy.	Ouyang Pengfei, Chief Executive Officer, Beijing Phabuilder Biotechnology Co. Ltd “We are thrilled by the opportunity to collaborate with PepsiCo, a global leader driving sustainability in the food and beverage industry. The program’s focus on scaling climate solutions aligns perfectly with Phabuilder’s mission to replace conventional plastics with biodegradable PHA. We’re excited to leverage PepsiCo’s expertise, mentorship, and network to accelerate our technology’s adoption across high-impact sectors like packaging. This partnership could build a pioneer trial for the market that PHA, as a candidate, to improve sustainability in the PKG area, will be applicable and will contribute value to brand owners globally.”
China	Guangdong Databeyond Technology Co. Ltd.	Circular Economy	DATABEYOND is China’s leading AI-powered waste-sorting pioneer, combining advanced visual recognition with big data to deliver intelligent, high-precision recycling solutions across 30+ countries.	Monica Mo, Chief Executive Officer, Guangdong Databeyond Technology Co. Ltd. “Firstly, I am pleasantly surprised and delighted to have successfully entered PepsiCo’s Greenhouse Accelerator Program. What excites me the most is being able to discuss sustainable development projects with mentors from industry giant PepsiCo. Especially as a Chinese company, I see this opportunity as a window that will help us understand the situations of countries throughout the Asia Pacific region so that our technology and products can further adapt to the market.”
China	Service Enviro SCAD Inc.	Sustainable Agriculture	SCAD is an industrial-scale solution that transforms organic waste into clean, nutrient-rich resources in just 30 minutes, enabling sustainable agriculture, energy recovery, and soil restoration without chemicals or pollution.	Songwen Xu, Chief Executive Officer, Service Enviro SCAD Inc. “We are thrilled to be a finalist in the Greenhouse Accelerator Program, which gives us a unique opportunity to work with PepsiCo to shape a brighter, more sustainable future. As a startup, the chance to move from innovation to widespread adoption is truly a dream come true, and we are excited by the potential for our joint development. This platform will allow me to expand our vision and significantly impact the environmental sector. I look forward to working with the talented team to make the vision of sustainable agriculture a reality.”
China	Shanghai Electric Group Co. Ltd. Central Academe	Climate	Shanghai Electric’s single-tank molten salt energy storage system offers a cost-effective, zero-carbon steam solution for industrial and commercial users.	Dr. Zhang Yanmei, Professor, Team Leader & Senior Engineer, Shanghai Electric Group Co. Ltd. Central Academe “Being a finalist in the Greenhouse Accelerator Program excites me immensely. Firstly, it’s an honour to be recognised among a pool of outstanding participants, validating my efforts and innovative ideas. Secondly, the chance to interact with industry experts and learn from them is exciting. Thirdly, the program’s support, offering essential funds and tech help for business growth, is very appealing. I hope the exposure from being a finalist will greatly boost my project’s success, build a strong brand, and attract industry stakeholders.”
Indonesia	Bali Waste Cycle (CV Bakti Bumi Berseri)	Circular Economy	Bali Waste Cycle and its partners operate a closed-loop circular economy that transforms plastic waste into renewable energy and upcycled products—delivering traceable, sustainable solutions with social impact.	Olivia Anastasia Padang, Founder & Director, CV Bakti Bumi Berseri (Bali Waste Cycle) “This program offers the mentorship, network, and resources needed to refine our strategy and develop the BWC LVP Regeneration Hub. I am excited to gain industry insights, access invaluable resources, and explore innovative solutions that enhance transparency, inclusivity, and circularity in waste management. Together, we can refine our approach, scale effectively, and drive impactful change in low-value plastic regeneration. I also look forward to strengthening our model, integrating cutting-edge solutions, and proving that low-value plastics can be transformed into valuable resources. This is an opportunity to set a new standard for sustainability while creating lasting social and environmental impact.”
Singapore	Circular Unite	Circular Economy	Circular Unite empowers businesses to decarbonise with AI-driven waste management solutions and a waste-to-resource marketplace—enabling real-time optimisation, impact tracking, and circular innovation.	Emmanual Tay, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, Circular Unite “Being a finalist in the Greenhouse Accelerator Program is an exciting opportunity to collaborate with PepsiCo, industry experts, and sustainability leaders to scale our AI-powered waste management solutions. We are thrilled to showcase how data-driven insights, automation, and marketplace connectivity can transform packaging waste recovery, enabling a waste and recycling digital passport. This program provides us with invaluable resources, mentorship, and industry validation to accelerate our impact in the FMCG and food & beverage sectors. Most importantly, it brings us one step closer to building a truly circular economy, where waste is not discarded but repurposed into valuable resources for a sustainable future.”
South Korea	DEEGOLABs	Circular Economy	Deegolabs’ AI-powered mobile PET recycling solution combines smart sorting and onboard shredding to cut logistics and boost recycling efficiency, tackling urban waste with scalable, ESG-aligned innovation.	Ho Yang, Chief Executive Officer, DEEGOLABs “Being selected as a finalist in the Greenhouse Accelerator Program is a tremendous opportunity for us to validate and expand our AI-powered recycling solution. What excites us most is the chance to run a proof-of-concept (PoC) project in the Asia-Pacific region, where we see significant potential for scalable impact. Collaborating with PepsiCo’s experts and mentors will help us refine our technology and align it with real-world needs. We look forward to demonstrating the value of our solution and co-creating a circular economy across the region with PepsiCo.”

Annex

Our selection committee chose finalists based on the following criteria:

A clear go-to-market strategy and plan for sustained in-market execution
Post-prototype product or solution that is ready for a pilot phase with a multinational corporation or company
Uniqueness in the market
Balanced gender and ethnic diversity
Clear and active social responsibility mission
Aligned with PepsiCo’s pep+ Sustainability Strategy
Scalable business model (APAC and global)
Disruptive, breakthrough, purpose-driven solution or innovation focused on climate solutions, circular economy, sustainable agriculture and/or agrotech technology

Our Ecosystem

	Suntory PepsiCo Beverages Thailand, Suntory PepsiCo Beverages Vietnam
	GC Ventures
	Circulate Capital
	CM Venture Capital
	GRC Sino GreenFund
	Plug & Play

INDEPENDENT NEWS IS IMPORTANT.

Enjoy reading Eco Voice? Please help us by purchasing a GIFT Voucher or send one to a friend and encourage people to purchase trees or seeds via The Native Shop – www.nativeshop.com.au