Watch: PepsiCo Venture Group’s Strategy on Snacking

Although over a century old, PepsiCo is still seeking fresh opportunities through its Venture Group, which invests in and supports early stage businesses. Recent PepsciCo acquisitions include better-for-you fruit and veggie chip brand Bare Snacks and chia-focused snack brand Health Warrior. Its venture group, however, invests in early stage brands as well as partners with PepsiCo’s Nutrition Greenhouse, a mentorship program that assists brands in their earlier stages, and the Hive, an accelerator that helps brands mature.

During a panel at NOSH Live Summer 2019 June 11 in New York City, Daniel Grubbs, managing director of PepsiCo Ventures Group, brought attendees behind the scenes of the Venture Group’s M&A strategy and why brands should consider investment from strategics. While there’s no “typical deal,” the company often becomes involved at an early stage as a minority investor, with a possible path toward full acquisition, Grubbs told the audience. For more insights on how the snack and beverage giant lends a helping hand to new brands, see the video above.