Chobani announces third generation of incubator brands

Brands of organic baby food, superfood smoothies and energy teas are among the start-ups selected by Chobani to take part in its third annual brand incubator programme, Chobani Incubator.

Chobani said the nine companies are disrupting and improving high-potential food categories in the US – from new and innovative snack products like simple seed-based bars or peanut butter protein puffs to nutritional foods that can help kids learn to love vegetables.

They include Noka, which makes superfood smoothie blends using on-trend ingredients like flaxseed, maqui berry and camu camu.

Masienda – a manufacturer of clean-label tortillas – is also among the nine brands admitted to the incubator programme.

The brands in full

• 88 Acres (Massachusetts) – crafts nutritious snacks and seed butters made with simple ingredients, all free from the 11 most common allergens.
• Fresh Bellies (New York) – produces organic baby food products made from fruits and vegetables, seasoned with herbs and spices.
• Masienda (California) – makes clean-label tortillas, supporting more than 2,000 smallholder corn farmers in Mexico.
• TeaRiot (California) – makes a range of high-energy RTD tea and juice blends, with naturally occurring L-theanine and no added sugar.
• Noka (California) – makes superfood smoothie packs that deliver balanced nutrition and naturally delicious flavour from organic sources.
• Nona Lim (California) – simple, clean and fresh foods including Asian-inspired soups, noodles, and broths.
• Puffworks (Oregon) – organic peanut butter puffs packed with plant-based protein, and available in three different variants.
• Remedy Organics (New Jersey) – a health and wellness platform targeting health-conscious consumers searching for functional plant-based food and beverages.
• Wildway (Texas) – better-for-you breakfast and snack food company with lines of grain-free granola, grain-free hot cereal and smoothie bowl starter mixes.

Since Chobani Incubator was launched three years ago, food accelerator programmes have become an increasingly common way for brands to obtain both financial and professional support, with many large companies buying into the idea.

Makers of insect snacks and seaweed protein were among the brands included in PepsiCo’s first nutrition incubator last June, a week before the world’s largest food company – Nestlé – announced a new accelerator programme in a bid to support emerging start-ups in the food and agriculture sectors.

Chobani says that start-ups involved in its first incubator class have since seen a 250% increase in distribution and 2.6-times growth in annual revenue.

The programme also had more than 650 applications for the nine spots in this year’s class – a 30% increase from last year.

Chobani Incubator director Jackie Miller said: “The past few years have proven the need, value and strong desire for a food incubator that is solely focused on supporting entrepreneurs who want to challenge the food industry, improve broken systems and bring better food to all people.

“Through this programme, we’ve seen companies double their distribution, expand their teams and launch new products – and we’re just getting started. Hamdi, our founder, hand-picked this class – our largest yet – for their unique ability to transform traditional product categories in the US and we couldn’t be more excited to get started with them.”

The third Chobani Incubator class will run from April 2018 to July 2018, based out of a dedicated space designed for the Incubator at Chobani‘s sales and marketing offices in New York.

As well as support and guidance, participants in Chobani’s original incubator in 2016 were offered the chance to secure a $25,000 grant.