On January 9, 2025, PepsiCo announced the return of its Greenhouse Accelerator (GHAC) programme in the Asia Pacific region for the third consecutive year. This initiative aims to support early-stage startups focused on sustainability and circular economy practices. The programme offers expert business advisory, mentorship, and collaboration opportunities, with grants of $20,000 for each of the 10 finalists and an additional $100,000 for the winning startup. Over the past two years, GHAC has successfully launched 15 startup pilots and engaged with 95 venture capital firms, highlighting its impact on fostering innovation in sustainable food systems. Ashley Brown, VP of Supply Chain A/NZ and Chief Sustainability Officer at PepsiCo APAC, emphasized the importance of the programme in driving meaningful change in food systems, showcasing the commitment of beverage giants to sustainability [64302120].
This initiative aligns with similar efforts globally, including Cuba's recent funding announcement for circular economy initiatives in Havana, which offers up to $80,000 for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) focusing on managing the paper and cardboard value chain. Applications for this funding are open until January 10, 2025, and selected organizations will benefit from training, technical support, and funding for necessary supplies [4905a322].
Moreover, Ghana has also made strides in promoting circular economies with the inauguration of the Circular Economy Centre Project at Ho Technical University, backed by the European Union with an estimated budget of $6 million. This project aims to transition Ghana from a linear to a circular economy, focusing on critical sectors such as water, food, and agriculture [af52e916]. In Australia, Deakin University has established the Training Centre for Resource Efficient Alloys in a Circular Economy (circAlloy), supported by nearly $5 million from the Australian Research Council, to develop longer-lasting alloys and promote resource efficiency [59161b08].