Kraft Heinz Announces Second Incubator Program Class

PITTSBURGH & CHICAGO– Springboard, a platform launched by Kraft Heinz in 2016 to nurture, scale and accelerate growth of disruptive brands, announced its second Incubator Program class. The program was created to help nurture and develop the next generation of food and beverage brands, while staying close to entrepreneurs, new ideas and consumer trends. The second Incubator class continues the vision and includes Blake’s Seed Based, BRAMI, Ka-Pop! Ancient inGRAINed Snack Co, Origin Almond and Tiny Giants.

All Incubator teams fall strongly within at least one of the Springboard committed growth pillars: Natural & Organic, Specialty & Craft, Health & Performance and Experiential brands. Over the course of the next 16 weeks, the selected startups will participate in a dynamic program composed of learning, funding, infrastructure access and mentorship in Chicago, Illinois.

Springboard is also announcing the application period for the third incubator class is open now until June 14 for the fall program which will take place August 5 through November 22.

Blake’s Seed Based

Growing up with a deathly nut-allergy founder, Blake Sorensen, was frustrated with the lack of allergen-free snack options on the market. So, he began to make bars in his kitchen, using seeds instead of nuts. Blake quickly realized people with and without food allergies enjoyed them. Blake’s Seed Based mission is to make see- based, top 8 allergen-free snacks accessible to everyone. Blake’s Seed Based products are not only delicious and safe for most eat, but they also donate a bar to a school in need for every box purchased. All great reasons to try Blake’s today! Visit https://www.blakesseedbased.com/.

BRAMI

In their Brooklyn test-kitchen, BRAMI reimagined lupini beans, a fresh legume snack beloved in the Mediterranean since Ancient Roman times. BRAMI beans are packed with plant protein and fiber with a fraction of the calories, carbs, fat and sugar of other snacks, so you can satisfy your hunger without compromising your diet. Marinated and packaged fresh out of the pickling barrel, BRAMI offers one of the few shelf-stable snacks that is not baked, dried or fried and something totally differentiated to the growing functional snack category. Visit https://bramisnacks.com/.

Ka-Pop! Ancient inGRAINed Snack Co

Ka-Pop! Ancient inGRAINed Snack Co has the mission to always be tasty, nutritious and satisfying. Founder Dustin, was tired of compromising taste for boring, empty, better for you snacks, so he created his own. Ka-Pop! is delicious and powered by ancient grains to bring fun and nutrition together. Ka-pop! wants you to save your snack time from boring “good for you” snacks that do not deliver on taste and to replace those empty calories with protein, fiber, omega-3s, potassium and vitamins. Take that regular snacks, and try Ka-Pop! Visit https://kapopsnacks.com/

Origin Almond

Origin Almond believes the first step to better health is the reduction of excess sugars, especially the hidden sugars found in perceived healthy foods such as fruit juices. Founder Jake Deleon, had a unique solution: Juice almonds instead of sugary fruits. Origin Almond uses cold-press technology to extract the liquid essence of almonds. This Cold-Pressed Almond Juice offers the fresh and lightly sweetened taste of premium fruit juices minus the excess sugar and carbs. Each flavor contains as low as 1 g of sugar per bottle and is infused with a rainbow of superfoods and adaptogens to provide added functional benefits. Love juice again with Origin Almond and see why almonds make for better juice! Origin Almond is a certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE). Visit https://www.originalmond.com/

Tiny Giants

Danielle Calabrese, mom of two and CPG entrepreneur, enlisted help from friend and Chef, Gregg Drusinsky to create a delicious and sustainable plant based snack brand for future-forward kids and parents. Together, they built a fun and empowering brand to fuel the superheroes of tomorrow. Their first product is a plant based yogurt that is certified organic and non GMO with no added sweeteners. Tiny Giants believes that healthy bellies equals happy kids and they are on a mission to change the way kids snack. Visit https://tinygiantsfood.com/#shopify-section-1534600654784

“We had an incredibly competitive group of applicants. All five companies in our second Incubator class offer delicious products that cater to the better-for-you offerings consumers are demanding,” said Kelly Reinke, Springboard Incubator lead. “Springboard exists to help shape the future of food, and we are confident our next class does just that.”

Springboard will be participating in Expo West, in Hall E booth 5576, where you can find the first and second incubator classes sampling along with Primal Kitchen.

For additional information on Springboard and to apply to the Springboard Incubator, visit pringboardbrands.com

About The Kraft Heinz Company

The Kraft Heinz Company is one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world. A globally trusted producer of delicious foods, The Kraft Heinz Company provides high quality, great taste and nutrition for all eating occasions whether at home, in restaurants or on the go. The Company’s iconic brands include Kraft, Heinz, ABC, Capri Sun, Classico, Jell-O, Kool-Aid, Lunchables, Maxwell House, Ore-Ida, Oscar Mayer, Philadelphia, Planters, Plasmon, Quero, Smart Ones and Velveeta. The Kraft Heinz Company is dedicated to the sustainable health of our people, our planet and our company. For more information, visit www.kraftheinzcompany.com.