Mondelēz International’s SnackFutures Still Going Strong: Incubating Brands and Investing in Start-Ups

Mondelēz International’s SnackFutures Still Going Strong: Incubating Brands and Investing in Start-Ups

The future of food will be defined by those who see the world a little differently. The explosion of entrepreneurs forging a new frontier of choices that address modern day needs for people and the planet. Global CPGs innovating from within, taking cues from the ‘outside,’ investing in, and acquiring start-ups.

That’s why in 2019 Mondelēz International launched SnackFutures, an innovation and venture hub designed to push the boundaries of what’s possible in snacking. Three years later they are still going strong in pursuing their mission to create a snacking world that is good for people, kind to the planet and deliciously fun. Here’s a snapshot of what they’ve been up to.

Investing in Start-Ups With CoLab

CoLab is a start-up engagement program that brings ‘big and small’ together. Mondelēz International provides access to its global network of experts, partners and resources throughout the 12-week curriculum, as well as a $20,000 grant. The inaugural class launched in 2021 and just last week the second cohort was announced – ten entrepreneurs who created their brands with personal, cultural and societal missions.

“CoLab is not just another CPG accelerator program. It’s an immersive, interactive experience that meets emerging brands where they are in their various stages of growth, while also providing Mondelez International with new insights, ideas, capability and investment opportunities,” said Brigette Wolf, Global Head of SnackFutures. “Last year’s class was phenomenal, and we can’t wait to take this new group of emerging snack innovators through the program.”

The CoLab 2022 participants are:

Bunny James Boxes: a gifting service specializing in curating snack and wellness boxes for specialty diets, allergies and food tribes.

Every Body Eat®: clean and crave-able snacks that are free of the top 14 allergens, corn and sugar so every body can eat, together.

GoNanas: a twist on the classic banana bread mix that is allergen friendly – vegan, gluten free, and nut free.

Moonshot: carbon neutral crackers made with regeneratively grown, organic ingredients.

Nunbelievable: a ‘cookie company with a cause’ that matches every purchase with a donation to fight hunger.

Oat Haus: the world’s first oat-based spread created by a founder who ‘retrained’ herself to have fun with food.

Pan’s: a mushroom jerky created out of a family recipe for jerky lovers trying to reduce their meat consumption.

Popcorn for the People: a gourmet popcorn company created with the mission to empower and employ adults with Autism.

Wonder Monday: a low carb, gluten free cheesecake delivering the right nutrition to eat every day.

Yolélé: craveable chips created with fonio, an underutilized but highly sustainable grain from smallholder farms.

Incubating Internal Brands

SnackFutures created and launched a few of its own brands in 2019 which are now in the incubation stage.

Dirt Kitchen Snacks, a line of snackably delicious veggies is expanding its footprint throughout California. Dirt Kitchen Snacks Air Dried Veggies and Nuts and Air Dried Veggie Crisps enable veggie lovers to now bring them anywhere they go. They are available in select stores throughout California as well as online at www.dirtkitchensnacks.com.

CaPao is a plant-based snack made with upcycled cacaofruit, nuts and seeds. It is one of the first brands to receive the Upcycled Food certification which is currently on the package of all CaPao Cacaofruit Bites. CaPao is available in select stores throughout Los Angeles and also on its web site at www.capaofruit.com.

NoCOé is a carbon neutral snack brand launched in France as a climate-friendly aperitif cracker and is expanding throughout the region.

What’s Next

SnackFutures is continuing to unlock and unleash ‘what’s next in the world of snacking and is always seeking new inspirations. For more information on its brands, CoLab and to submit an innovation idea, visit www.snackfutures.com