Press release
Mondelēz International SnackFutures Launches New CoLab Startup Engagement Program
CoLab is a collaborative program for US-based early-stage well-being snack brandsParticipating start-ups will receive a $20,000 grant and participate in a
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[{"type":"text","content":"CoLab is a collaborative program for US-based early-stage well-being snack brandsParticipating start-ups will receive a $20,000 grant and participate in a 12-week growth-centric curriculum led by SnackFuturesCall for submissions is now open at www.snackfutures.com CHICAGO, Feb. 09, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SnackFutures, the Mondelēz International, Inc. (Nasdaq:MDLZ) innovation and venture hub, today announced the launch of CoLab, a new start-up engagement program for early-stage well-being snack brands. CoLab is deliberately designed to be a collaborative effort between entrepreneurs and the Mondelēz International ecosystem to drive mutual growth. SnackFutures will provide participating start-ups with tools, technologies and access to networks and industry expertise, while also gaining insights, capabilities and prospective investment opportunities. It’s also yet another demonstration of SnackFutures’ mission to create a snacking world that is good for people, kind to the planet and deliciously fun by bringing “big and small” together to push the boundaries of what’s possible in well-being snacking. Since SnackFutures launched in 2018, the team has been immersed in the start-up community, traveling around the globe to uncover trends, gain insights, understand entrepreneurs’ business challenges, and fuel the SnackFutures innovation pipeline. The team has also created and launched five well-being brands in the U.S. and Europe including CaPao, Dirt Kitchen Snacks, Millie Gram, NoCoé, and Ruckus and Co, and made minority investments in Uplift Food, Torr and HU – which was recently acquired by Mondelēz International. “SnackFutures is in a unique position of both creating our own brands and investing in start-ups, so we can offer participants empathy and understanding from our own experiences along with the rigor, discipline and insights of global snacking leader,” said Brigette Wolf, Global Head of SnackFutures, Mondelēz International. “It’s even more important for programs like CoLab now as these small brands try to recover and grow out of the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.” CoLab is a 12-week program customized based on each participant’s business challenges and growth priorities with a key emphasis on providing dedicated attention, 1:1 mentorship, workshops and access to Mondelēz International’s leadership, best-in...