https://adgully.me/post/4744/pepsico-sabic-and-partners-launch-the-mega-green-accelerator

PepsiCo, SABIC and partners launch the Mega Green Accelerator

The Mega Green Accelerator will be open to startups in the MENA region focusing on circular economy solutions, clean energy transition and climate mitigation technologies, including water and agriculture.The Accelerator is a collaboration between PepsiCo, SABIC, AstroLabs and other strategic partners.Dubai, United Arab Emirates: On the heels of the first week of COP28, PepsiCo, SABIC, AstroLabs and their strategic partners have announced the launch of the Mega Green Accelerator, a new initiative to nurture the next generation of innovators in the region as they develop solutions to both regional and global sustainability challenges. The Middle East is warming almost two times faster than the global average, yet the support and investment for the sustainability innovation ecosystem in the region does not match this urgency. Since 2010, less than 50 new climate technology startups have been founded in the MENA region, compared to nearly 5,000 in Europe and the US. The Mega Green Accelerator aims to reduce this gap, foster regional collaboration and cultivate a network of MENA-based innovators addressing the most pressing sustainability challenges in the region.The priority focus areas for the first round of the Accelerator program include circular economy, clean energy transitions, water and agriculture, some of the most pressing issues for the Middle East. In addition to seed funding and mentorship, the partners will provide participating entrepreneurs access to some of the most prominent business leaders in the region.“Innovators in the MENA region have incredible potential for scaling and are making important strides to develop homegrown solutions to address the unique challenges the region is facing. COP28 is already putting a spotlight on climate innovations coming out of the UAE and the region at large, and PepsiCo is excited to support the next generation of climate leaders through the Mega Green Accelerator. By bridging the gap between entrepreneurs and the networks and resources they need, we are committed to supporting breakthrough start-ups as they scale sustainability solutions, grow their businesses and form critical connections,” said Eugene Willemsen, CEO of PepsiCo, Africa, Middle East, South Asia. In addition to PepsiCo, SABIC and AstroLabs, the Accelerator will leverage its strategic partners’ unique capabilities and expertise to best support participating entrepreneurs. Investment partners Dubai Future District Fund, Venture Souq and Shurooq Partners will provide platforms for investment opportunities, mentorship in raising capital, and networking opportunities. They will also inform startup criteria and participate in the selection process to maximize investment success.Ecosystem partners London Business School Entrepreneurship Club, Berytech, American University of Cairo Venture Lab, the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park and the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection will source applicants through their networks, amplify Accelerator information and communicate progress through their channels. Schneider Electric will support the Accelerator as a prize partner, participating in the final selection of participants. “SABIC is proud to join with PepsiCo and other fellow partners to provide our business expertise, mentorship, resources and platform to help the brightest minds in the region reach their full potential through the Mega Green Accelerator. We believe that such cross-sector partnerships are crucial in effectively tackling complex, critical issues such as climate change. In supporting this initiative, we are not just bettering local economies, but people and planet at the same time,” said Dr.Bob Maughon, SABIC Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer."Our partnership with PepsiCo and SABIC comes at an exciting time - it’s a strategic step in accelerating innovation within the GCC, with a strong focus on sustainability. With the influx of international sustainable and climate-conscious companies, the region is rising as a global testbed for innovation - we will double down on creating an environment where these businesses can scale into the local markets. Our aim is to ensure the GCC not only responds to the current demand for green solutions but also pioneers the advancement of sustainable business practices on a global scale,’’ said Roland Daher, CEO, AstroLabs.The priority focus areas of the Mega Green Accelerator align with PepsiCo’s transformation strategy, pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) and the other partners' sustainability agendas, while further driving collaboration with businesses across the region to catalyze positive impact. In the coming months, PepsiCo and partners will share additional details and application information for the Mega Green Accelerator. To stay updated, follow PepsiCo Positive (pep+) Middle East LinkedIn page and @PepsiCo on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
https://adgully.me/post/4536/mena-start-up-dooda-solutions-receives-100000-grant-from-pepsico

MENA start-up Dooda Solutions receives $100,000 grant from PepsiCo

Dubai, UAE – PepsiCo has announced Lebanon-based start-up Dooda Solutions as the winner of the second iteration of its Greenhouse Accelerator Program: MENA Sustainability Edition, in partnership with the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and Food Tech Valley (FTV). Dooda Solutions was selected from over 180 applicants, following a rigorous multi-stage selection process and six-months of mentorship, and will receive a $100,000 grant, along with a host of other benefits, to scale their sustainable agricultural solution and grow their business.Dooda Solutions, a woman-led earthworm farm, specializes in producing premium-grade vermicompost (organic fertilizers) at commercial scale. Its nutrient-rich vermicompost restores soil health by improving its structure, increasing nutrient availability, and enhancing microbial activity. In the program’s final stages, the team demonstrated a truly innovative and scalable solution with a commitment to pushing the boundaries of sustainable agriculture innovations.The winner was announced at the closing ceremony held at Museum of the Future, following pitches and a product showcase by each start-up. The event drew participation from His Excellency Eng. Mohammed Mousa Alameeri, Assistant Undersecretary for the Food Diversity Sector at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, and L?th Carlson, Executive Director of Museum of the Future. The expert judging panel comprised His Royal Highness Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal Al Saud, Founder and CEO of KBW Ventures; Sheikh Dr. Majid Al Qassimi, Founder & Partner of Soma Mater Management Consultancies; Wael Ismail, Vice President for Corporate Affairs at PepsiCo Africa, Middle East and South Asia; Alanoud Al Hashmi, CEO of SDG GLOBAL & Futurist; and George Shenouda, Africa Lead, Development and Investment at Masdar.The program this year focused on sustainable agriculture in line with PepsiCo’s sustainability strategy, pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). The AgriTech industry in MENA has attracted around $250 million in funding in 2022, instilling confidence in regional start-ups and their innovation potential for sustainable agriculture. The Greenhouse Accelerator Program has created new growth opportunities in this space, helping the startup ecosystem flourish.“At the heart of our nation’s priorities lies the commitment to food security and sustainable agriculture. As we prepare to host the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference, Conference of the Parties (COP28), later this month, we recognize the significance of addressing global challenges through innovation and collaboration. We are prioritizing the acceleration of efforts to achieve the objectives of the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy 2051 through partnerships and solutions that bring a paradigm shift in the agricultural sector and food systems. One such initiative is the Greenhouse Accelerator Program as it provides a stage for entrepreneurs and startups to shed light on their pioneering solutions, driving the cause of sustainability, while fostering innovation. I commend all participants for bringing forth their innovative solutions, and PepsiCo, Food Tech Valley, and all partners involved for their dedication to this initiative. I’m confident that together, we will enhance the resilience and sustainability of the food sector – paving the way for a more sustainable future for all,” said His Excellency Eng. Mohammed Mousa Alameeri, Assistant Undersecretary for the Food Diversity Sector – Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.“Building on the success of the first edition of our MENA Greenhouse Accelerator, this year marked a significant step towards accelerating progress in sustainable agriculture in the region. As part of our commitments to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040 and become net water positive by 2030, we are actively facilitating innovation to drive tangible change at scale. At PepsiCo, we are dedicated to supporting innovators and entrepreneurs who are at the forefront of sustainable solutions. By providing them with a wealth of resources and offering them a platform to showcase their solutions on global stages, such as at COP28, we want to help them thrive. We’re excited about Dooda Solution’s potential to transform the regional agriculture sector and look forward to creating more opportunities for other promising startups that will have a lasting positive impact on society,” said Aamer Sheikh, CEO at PepsiCo Middle East.“It is a huge honour to be recognized by PepsiCo’s Greenhouse Accelerator Program: MENA Sustainability Edition. This journey has been transformative, providing our business with invaluable insights, mentorship, and tools to refine and scale our sustainable agriculture solution. The program’s extensive reach and network have helped us connect with like-minded entrepreneurs, potential partners, and investors who share our vision for sustainable agriculture, not only accelerating our growth but also reinforcing our commitment to driving sustainable change in the MENA region. We are excited about the journey ahead and remain committed to scaling our operations effectively to provide sustainable solutions to all,” said Nada Ghanem, Founder and Managing Director at Dooda Solutions.All start-ups that participated in the program received an initial grant of $20,000 and one-on-one mentorship from PepsiCo and external partners over a six month span, who guided them on everything from research and development to business models, marketing, and fundraising. In addition, six companies selected from both cohorts of the Greenhouse Accelerator Program: MENA Sustainability Edition will be featured in a dedicated showcase at COP28 in Dubai. The move will expand the growing businesses opportunities for growth and strengthen the program’s legacy.For more information on the Greenhouse Accelerator Program, please visit Greenhouse Accelerator Program and follow PepsiCo Middle East on LinkedIn.
https://adgully.me/post/4364/pepsico-introduces-locally-produced-100-recycled-plastic-bottles

PepsiCo introduces locally produced 100% recycled plastic bottles

PepsiCo is introducing 100% recycled plastic bottles for Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, and Pepsi Zero in the UAE. A first in the country, PepsiCo is paving the way for the integration of fully recycled*, locally produced packaging in the Carbonated Soft Drinks (CSDs) category, ahead of COP28 taking place in the UAE.The new bottles generate over 30% less greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to traditional PET bottles, a pivotal step in combating climate change and aiding COP28’s efforts to reduce global emissions. The bottles, excluding the cap and label, are produced from recycled, reprocessed, and repurposed plastic and meet globally certified standards of quality and safety.PepsiCo is also an active partner across the plastics value chain in the UAE, collaborating with various stakeholders to innovate packaging solutions, enhance recycling infrastructure, and foster consumer education about recycling and sustainable alternatives, in addition to advocating for progressive regulatory reforms. In 2022, PepsiCo drove rPET regulatory approvals in 12 countries across Africa, Middle East, and South Asia, and launched 100% recycled bottles* in six countries, including Qatar and Kuwait in the GCC.Aamer Sheikh, CEO of PepsiCo Middle East, said, “More consumers are considering sustainable product options – conscious of environmental impact when deciding what to buy[1]. We’re proud to be the first brand in the CSDs category in the UAE to launch locally produced fully recycled plastic bottles, and thanks to the scale and expertise of Dubai Refreshment Company we’re able to give consumers more choice as to how they enjoy their favorite beverages.We also recognize that this is only one step in the circular economy journey, and more needs to be done to empower consumers to act, for which we’ve established partnerships across the value chain. Improved access to recycling infrastructure and ongoing consumer education plays an important role in shaping positive behavior, and we will continue to prioritize efforts across these areas simultaneously to boost recycling rates as we inch closer to COP28 later this year.”Ahmad Bin Eisa Alserkal, Chairman of Dubai Refreshment PJSC, added, “As the exclusive bottler and distributor of PepsiCo beverages in Dubai, Sharjah, and the Northern Emirates, we’re proud to lead the way in producing fully recycled packaging for CSDs. The UAE is taking important steps towards a more sustainable future, and we’re committed to being an equally contributing partner in this journey alongside PepsiCo. Providing more choice enables more positive decisions, and we encourage consumers to opt for the sustainable packaging, paving a greener path for future generations.”Tarek ElSakka, CEO of Dubai Refreshment PJSC, commented, “We are committed to sustainability in all its forms. We have received the LEAD Platinum Certification per existing Buildings; the highest energy saving Certification from USGBC. DRC has a Wastewater treatment plant to reclaim the production wastage and reuse the water, as well as the Solar power generation plant that generates a third of its energy consumption”.In September this year, PepsiCo, in partnership with Talabat and Yalla Return, launched an innovative recycling solution in local communities in the UAE to shape more environmentally positive behavior and boost recycling rates. Last year, in collaboration with BEEAH, one of the region’s leading environmental management companies, PepsiCo also met its commitment to collect and recycle the equivalent of 100% Aquafina plastic packaging produced in the UAE, a commitment that has been renewed for 2023. PepsiCo also recently became a founding member of the Circular Packaging Association; an initiative established by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce to foster public-private partnership and drive positive action towards a circular economy.As part of the company’s pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) strategy launched in 2021, the company aims to achieve net-zero emissions across its value chain by 2040 and reduce virgin plastic usage by 50% across its global food and beverage portfolio by 2030. PepsiCo has implemented 100% rPET beverage packaging in 26 other markets globally, and at the end of 2022, over 88% of PepsiCo’s packaging was recyclable, compostable, biodegradable, or reusable.
https://adgully.me/post/2750/pepsico-chart-the-growing-influence-of-saudi-women-on-private-sector

PepsiCo chart the growing influence of Saudi women on private sector

Riyadh: As part of its commitment to empowering women across the Kingdom to fulfil their potential, PepsiCo has further developed their partnership with The Atlantic Council by launching the Saudi Women Innovators Fellowship (WIn) program in partnership with the U.S. embassy and Georgetown University.The program is set to continue the journey of empowering Saudi women entrepreneurs, to build scalable businesses. A progressive conversation around the topic of ‘The rising female workforce in Saudi Arabia and its impact on the private sector’, took place in the form of a panel discussion featuring a lineup of leading industry professionals to highlight their efforts in empowering the Saudi female workforce, within their respective organizations.With the labor force participation rate for Saudi women rising, the session explored the vast transformation of the Saudi labor market and the opportunities these changes present, most notably for women in the private sector.H.R.H. Princess Reema Bint Bandar Al Saud Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the United States, shared her thoughts on the subject matter as the virtual keynote speaker for the event and Michael Ratney, U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, had delivered the opening remarks prior to the anticipated panel discussion.PepsiCo was represented by Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Wael Ismail, alongside industry experts and thought leaders Dena Elkhatib — General Counsel, Riyadh Air — and Hattan Ahmed — Entrepreneurship Director at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).The discussion saw an opportunity to showcase the wide range of initiatives, programs and partnerships launched to provide women greater access to the Saudi private sector and labor market and showcase PepsiCo’s work championing female empowerment and entrepreneurship.Wael Ismail, Vice President of Corporate Affairs, PepsiCo AMESA, said: “We are living through a dynamic time in the Kingdom, which is also positively affecting the region at large. We hope this program plays a positive role in further strengthening local and regional exchanges of knowledge, resources, and nurtures practices that will facilitate social, cultural, and economic development.” “Partnering with the Atlantic Council to sponsor the WIn Fellowship Program is a great opportunity for us to fulfill our commitment of empowering Saudi women, as part of our Tamakani flagship initiative. More specifically, the female entrepreneurs, as we support them in leading thriving lives and careers, while playing an active role in contributing to the Saudi Vision 2030’s mandate, of propelling the Kingdom’s economy to social prosperity,” added Wael.Amjad Ahmad, Chairman of EmpowerME at the Atlantic Council's Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, adds “Saudi Arabia is undergoing a major socio-economic transformation under its Vision 2030 agenda, with women's empowerment as a cornerstone. In the past five years, the labor force participation rate of Saudi women has increased by 67%, from 21% in 2017 to 35% in 2022. This trend signals a significant shift in government policies, which are now more supportive of women's labor force participation.”The event reiterated the importance of innovative offerings such as Tamakani, the platform launched by PepsiCo in 2019 to shape an equal, inclusive, and thriving society. It is dedicated to supporting and inspiring generations of women in the Kingdom.The program delivers mentoring and networking opportunities with leading U.S. and MENA experts and business executives. It offers access to a tailored executive education program by Georgetown University, in addition to workshops with leading experts. It also provides a fully sponsored trip to the U.S. for the top five performing participants. The top five WIn Fellows of 2022 are Sumayah Alzamil, Co-founder and CEO at Nugttah; Dr. Rawan Al-Kharboosh, Founder and CEO of AtPoint; Renad Aljefri, CEO of Ad Astra; Meyce Alauddin, Founder and CEO of The Giveaway Co.; and Sara Bin Ladin, Chief Technology Officer at Quantum Platform.With the success of the inaugural cohort that included 33 fellows in 2022, this year, PepsiCo and the Atlantic Council have selected 34 fellows as part of the second cohort — spread across a range of sectors, including information services, entertainment, creative agencies, healthcare, retail, technology, education, and event management — from Saudi Arabia.Based on interviews conducted with the top five WIn fellows of cohort 1, the consensus found was networking to be the favored element of the program, while testimonials from the second cohort, including Rana Taibah, CEO of Prince Sultan Rehabilitation Complex and the CoFounder of Eunoia and Dr. Reem Turky, CEO of Innovation Source est.,  note the unwavering support they have received just from the initial phases of the program. Taibah says “I am honored to have been a part of Win fellowship program and to have had the opportunity to learn from such a talented group of individuals. The event was truly inspiring, and I am grateful for the knowledge and insights that I gained from it. Through this program, I have developed new skills and broadened my perspective, which will undoubtedly have a positive impact on my professional growth and future goals. I highly recommend this fellowship to anyone looking to expand their horizons and make a meaningful contribution to their field.”Programs such as Tamakani have been instrumental in promoting greater diversity and inclusion in Saudi Arabia. With figures showing an increase of more than 38% in female entrepreneurs, companies such as PepsiCo have played an integral role in guiding and nurturing the future generation of Saudi female leaders. The rising female workforce in Saudi Arabia and its impact on the private sector underscores the need for even more productive partnerships and initiatives to empower more female leaders and changemakers.Through Tamakani, PepsiCo aims to empower one million Saudi women by 2030. In keeping with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives, the platform has been built on three main pillars: “Amplifying Voices”, “Facilitating Mentorship” and “Fostering Entrepreneurship”. Since its inception, PepsiCo’s Tamakani initiative has proudly empowered more than one hundred thousand Saudi women.To learn more about the WIn Fellowship and PepsiCo’s partnership with the Atlantic Council, please visit:   Atlantic Council.Testimonials for the five aforementioned WIn fellows from Cohort 1 below:Sumayah Alzamil, Co-founder and CEO at Nugttah, said: “When I joined the WIn Fellowship program, I asked myself what I would gain — and give back in return — by taking part. Meeting likeminded female entrepreneurs was the highlight of my journey. This journey will continue, which means the ecosystem will only continue to grow.”Dr. Rawan Al-Kharboosh, Founder and CEO of AtPoint, said: “The number one success of any venture is built on networking — not only with likeminded women entrepreneurs, but also powerful women from the Middle East that are transforming the region and highlighting women’s potential on a global scale. I am proud to be a participant of the WIn Fellowship program and aim to use it to serve as a champion of female empowerment.”  Renad Aljefri, CEO of Ad Astra, said: “I really wanted to be part of the program. I’ve learnt so much from it, with the diversity of leadership styles on show truly inspiring. If there is one thing that I have taken from the program it is that being different — especially when it comes to approaches to leadership — does not make you incompetent. Through the program, I learnt how to work with others and communicate better. I, like my fellow participants, also benefited a lot from the networking opportunities that we were provided — be it with mentors or guest speakers. I am truly fortunate to have joined the WIn Fellowship program. My message to future entrepreneurs is to follow their passion and knock on all doors.”Meyce Alauddin, Founder and CEO of The Giveaway Co., said: “The WIn Fellowship was instrumental in equipping me with personal, entrepreneurship and leadership tools that I did not possess prior to joining the program. Today, more so than ever, it is important to learn how to problem solve and think outside the box. The program created a welcoming space and encouraging environment to learn and improve these skills.”Sara Bin Ladin, Chief Technology Officer at Quantum Platform, said: “Joining the WIn Fellowship program proved to be an amazing experience. I especially enjoyed the networking component of the program. Networking is crucial. Be it for your mental health, getting that extra push to set you in the right direction, or just to have likeminded people to discuss the challenges you face, networking can really help transform your prospects. The WIn Fellowship helped us — as participants — to find one another and learn how we can grow together, take the next steps forward and make a bigger impact within our respective fields.”
https://adgully.me/post/2464/pepsico-becomes-water-beverages-and-snacks-provider-for-gamers8

PepsiCo becomes water, beverages, and snacks provider for Gamers8

Riyadh:  Gamers8: The Land of Heroes today welcomed PepsiCo as a Main Sponsor to the world’s biggest gaming and esports festival, which will see the global leader in convenient foods and drinks exclusively supply water, beverages, and snacks.PepsiCo brands Aquafina, Pepsi Zero Sugar, Rockstar, and Doritos will all be on offer at Gamers8: The Land of Heroes, which runs from July 6 for eight weeks at Boulevard Riyadh City.PepsiCo is providing an incredible 1.5 million bottles of Aquafina water for Gamers8: The Land of Heroes – all of which are available complimentary to festival goers from the special, cooled fridges dotted around the venue.Ahmed Albishri, Deputy CEO at the Saudi Esports Federation, said: “We are delighted to unveil PepsiCo as a Main Partner for Gamers8: The Land of Heroes this summer, building on the tremendous work achieved between our organizations at Gamers8 last year. The work that goes into putting on live events – particularly ones such as Gamers8 that last an entire summer – should never be underestimated. Food and beverages are a crucial part of that and having a renowned, trusted partner like PepsiCo is essential.”Aamer Sheikh, PepsiCo Middle East CEO said: “We are thrilled to be to once again involved with the world’s biggest gaming and e-sports festival, which takes place right here in the heart of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Building on the tremendous success that the festival witnessed last year, we are looking forward to having festival visitors enjoy their time alongside our snacks and beverages, which go side-by-side with the exhilarating events taking place at Gamers8.”Gamers8: The Land of Heroes has a prize pool of $45 million – triple that of Gamers8 last year. The festival concludes with the Next World Forum, a gaming and esports forum held at the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh at Kingdom Center on August 30-31, that brings together sector leaders and experts from around the world.
https://adgully.me/post/2352/two-jordan-start-ups-selected-for-pepsicos-2023-greenhouse-accelerator-program

Two Jordan start-ups selected for PepsiCo’s 2023 Greenhouse Accelerator Program

Amman: Today, PepsiCo announced that SmartWTI and Smart Green, start-ups from Jordan, have been chosen to participate in the second cohort of its Greenhouse Accelerator Program: MENA Sustainability Edition, focused on sustainable agriculture. Following a rigorous multi-stage selection process, this year’s cohort brought forward innovative ideas across five key criteria: alignment to PepsiCo’s sustainability strategy – PepsiCo Positive (pep+) – strategic synergy with PepsiCo, scalability, relevance to MENA, and breakthrough potential.Sustainable agriculture takes on special meaning in Jordan, which has no oil resources and a scarce water supply. This raises concerns around food security and creates uncertainty in a region that thrives on long-term planning and predictability. PepsiCo’s Greenhouse Accelerator Program intends to unlock innovative and disruptive agricultural solutions in partnership with purpose-driven start-ups from the region that share PepsiCo’s vision for a more sustainable agriculture and water management system.The six shortlisted companies, SmartWTI, Smart Green, Dooda Solutions, NoorNation, RoboCare and YY ReGen, were selected from over 180 applications across 18 countries. Each of the companies brings a unique level of expertise and innovative solution to the table from all aspects of the agriculture value chain from water preservation to soil cultivation.SmartWTI, an IoT/AI solutions provider from Jordan, specializes in designing and manufacturing water management solutions to enable the Internet of Things (IoT). Smart Green, another Jordanian start-up, provides Agri-tech solutions to agribusinesses for Digital Transformation from traditional agriculture to modern agriculture. These startups have the potential to disrupt the sustainable agriculture industry and make a positive, lasting impact on society.Each will receive an initial grant of $20,000 to support their business and help scale up their innovation, along with guided mentorship from regional subject matter professionals, as well as PepsiCo and Food Tech Valley experts. At the end of the six-month program, one winning company will be awarded an additional $100,000 in funding to continue its expansion and have an opportunity to extend its collaboration with PepsiCo to further expedite its growth.Aamer Sheikh, CEO, Middle East – PepsiCo said, “We are delighted to continue our search for pioneering solutions that help us strengthen the resilience of our food system. This year, we have embarked on a search for transformative direct farming innovations that increase agricultural productivity while conserving our precious natural resources for the next generations. I was impressed with the caliber of the participants in the second cohort, and I am confident that together, we can blaze new trails in sustainable agriculture.”Introduced regionally in 2021, last year’s inaugural program of the PepsiCo Greenhouse Accelerator Program: MENA Sustainability Edition, focused on sustainable packaging and recycling. Two start-ups from Jordan were selected among the 10 shortlisted companies. MEHNA, which aims to find and implement sustainable solutions for the industrial sector and eRecycle Hub which proposes to digitize the scrap-trading business.Amina Mari, CEO, Jordan – MEHNA commented, “Our journey with the first edition of PepsiCo’s Accelerator Program was transformative, equipping us with the essential technical, commercial, financial, and legal skills to propel our start-up forward. With their invaluable guidance and mentorship, we have honed our project development process, identified promising markets and partnerships, and pushed the boundaries of innovation to create sustainable and disruptive solutions. We extend our warmest wishes and support to the next cohort of talented entrepreneurs who are setting out to shape a brighter future.”Recently, the Kingdom of Jordan launched a new water strategy for the years 2023-2040, outlining the government's goals and plans to achieve water security. PepsiCo is committed to an accelerated, sustainable growth agenda in Jordan. It has placed focus on achieving water-use efficiency in operations by implementing best-in-class water-use standards across facilities. Through Jordan Ice & Aerated Water, PepsiCo’s bottling partner in Jordan, the company has invested in watershed health to improve overall ecosystem health and biodiversity, installing six water dams (sand and concrete) and one rainwater collection pond to ensure the watershed is replenished.