When PepsiCo’s acquisition of Pioneer Foods in March 2020 was finalized, PepsiCo agreed to a number of Public Interest Commitments, with the overarching goal of driving economic growth. One such commitment was the launching of a Development Fund, with an initial investment of R600 million in order to enhance effective, market-driven programs, co-create innovative solutions alongside key partners and scale the impact through catalytic investments.
Growing inclusive food systems
To transform the South African food system by driving commercialisation of Black Enterprises. We do this by providing innovative and inclusive funding solutions, tailored business support, and improved access to markets.
To address knowledge and skills gaps across the South African food system (e.g., applied agriculture R&D, climate resilient crop development, capacity-building in STEM professions, circular economy business models, nutrition science).
To tackle local development challenges faced by black emerging businesses in the food & beverage value chain and strive for tangible impact that affects large-scale change. We will achieve this by providing competitively priced funding for: