CoLab x Startup CPG

Jackie Haney is the Program Manager & Capability Lead for SnackFutures – Mondelēz International’s innovation and venture hub, which launched in 2018 as part of the global snack leader’s growth agenda. Jackie lead the development and launch of SnackFutures’s start-up engagement program, CoLab, designed to support early-stage well-being brands and identify potential investment opportunities. CoLab has teamed up with Startup CPG to find brands for the next session.

CoLab: What is It?

SnackFutures is the Mondelēz International innovation and venture hub, deliberately designed to push the boundaries in snacking by capitalizing on consumer trends and emerging growth opportunities in well-being snacks around the world. The SnackFutures mission is to create well-being snacks that are good for people, kind to the planet and deliciously fun.

CoLab was designed to be a collaborative effort between entrepreneurs and the Mondelēz International ecosystem to drive mutual growth. SnackFutures provides the participating startups with tools, technologies and access to networks and industry expertise, while gaining insights, capabilities, and prospective investment opportunities.

The CoLab cohort will participate in a 12-week program is customized based each startup’s business challenges and priorities with a key emphasis on hands-on interaction, individual attention, mentorship and workshops. The curriculum will be a combination of virtual sessions and in-person activities. In addition to the in-depth experience, participants will also receive a $20,000 grant. WATCH this video to for more details on the program.

Apply Now for 2022

Applications for the CoLab 2022 program are open now through December at www.snackfutures.com, and the program begins in April of 2022. To apply, start-ups must be based in the U.S., generating at least $500,000 in revenue, have high growth potential, align with the Mondelēz International innovation priorities and can benefit from working with the company. The second year of our CoLab startup engagement program will focus specifically on mission-driven brands that can demonstrate their commitment to having a positive impact on social, environmental and human well-being.

Hear What Class of 2021 Learned

“Through speaking with all these people [connections at Mondelēz International], our world and opportunities got so much bigger.” – Sydney Chasin, Chasin’ Dreams Farms
“CoLab allowed me the opportunity to pause and really evaluate my business as a whole. The SnackFutures team truly listened to the needs of each brand which resulted in a diverse, impactful curriculum. Through this experience I have been blessed with personalized mentorship, roadmaps to success, and the best part inspiration!” – Leah Lopez, Better Bites Bakery