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Mondelēz's SnackFutures venture hub has announced the nine snacking start-ups selected for its inaugural CoLab accelerator programme. According to Mondelēz, each of the selected 'better-for-you' snack brands will participate in a 12-week programme that aims to accelerate the growth of healthy snacking brands, with all participants receiving a $20,000 grant. SnackFutures will reportedly provide the participating start-ups with tools, technologies and access to networks and industry expertise to stimulate their growth. Meanwhile, Mondelēz will gain insights and prospective investment opportunities from the programme. The 2021 CoLab accelerator programme will begin in June 2021 with a number of virtual programmes. The selected 2021 CoLab accelerator in full:

• Better Bites Bakery: A producer of allergen-free bakery products founded by Leah Lopez to provide choices for her son who had life-threatening food allergies.

• Chasin’ Dreams Farm: A popped sorghum snack start-up founded by Sydney Chasin, which aims to bring more options and flavours to gluten-free snacking.

• Elite Sweets: Maker of keto-friendly doughnuts founded by Amir and Amin Bahari, who wanted to create low-calorie versions of their favourite snack.

• Love Corn: A producer of crunchy corn snacks made with non-GMO ingredients that was founded by family members Jamie, Gavin & Missy McCloskey.

• Numa: A 'better-for-you confectionery brand created by Jane Xie and Joyce Zhu, to introduce healthier versions of their favourite childhood candies from Asia.

• NuSkool: A low-sugar snacking platform co-founded by Joe Christensen and Kevin Healy after seeing friends and family members struggle with obesity and heart disease.

• Snacklins: A producer of plant-based crisps, including plant-based 'pork rinds' founded by former radio personality and chef Samy Kobrosly.

• Sourse: A vitamin-infused confectionery brand founded Jenne Moore and Andrew Remlinger to make supplements more accessible.

• 12 Tides: A kelp-based snacks brand founded by Pat Schnettler and Lindsey Palmer to create 'ocean-friendly' and nutritious snacking options.

Brigette Wolf, global head of SnackFutures at Mondelēz International, said: “We couldn’t have asked for a better representation of what the future of snacking holds. “The founders are so inspiring and passionate about what they are doing. Working with them as part of the CoLab program is going to move the needle on their brands, support our innovation agenda, and ultimately help deliver on consumers’ desire for people and planet-friendly snacking.”