PepsiCo Juntos Crecemos Program

The PepsiCo Juntos Crecemos program is a component of PepsiCo's broader $50 million comprehensive support for small businesses in the food and beverage industry over five years. The assistance offered encompasses various forms of support, including grants, business coaching programs, tailored marketing assistance, access to capital, and operational guidance. These resources are designed to foster both short-term relief and long-term growth, empowering businesses to make immediate improvements while laying the groundwork for sustained success. To be eligible, the applicant (you!) must be the woman owner or co-owner of a small business in the food and beverage industry, including a restaurant, bodega, carnicería, food truck and/or catering service.

Applications are now open through September 27, 2024 at 6PM ET. For a full list of eligibility criteria, please see the Terms and Conditions. Got questions? See FAQs.

What kind of businesses are eligible apply for this grant and Boost Camp?

Women-owned small businesses in the food and beverage industry, including restaurants, bodegas, carnicerías, food trucks, and catering services, are eligible to apply.

What is the Boost Camp?

The Boost Camp, in collaboration Pepscio, is a virtual 12-week accelerator designed to fuel your small business growth. This exclusive program offers a mix of learning formats, including weekly educational guides, monthly expert speaker sessions, and live Q&A sessions. All sessions focus on crucial topics for your business growth. Sessions typically last one hour in the early afternoon Eastern Time, but the final schedule may be adjusted. Make sure to indicate your potential commitment in application question 2. Mark your calendars - if you’re selected, the first session kicks off in January 2025.

How are recipients selected?

There are twenty (20) $10,000 grants available for this round of applications. All eligible applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Clarity and feasibility of plan for proposed use of funds
• Demonstrated need for funds and coaching to achieve a business goal
• Demonstrated commitment to community

Grant recipients will be selected after several rounds of reviews and scoring conducted by a panel of judges consisting of Hello Alice, PepsiCo and/or their designees. For tips on how to craft a strong application, please refer to these Hello Alice resources: Write a Winning Grant Application (guide) and Pro-Tips Workshop (video).

What is the application deadline? When will you notify grant recipients?

The application period starts August 20, 2024 at 9:00 am Eastern Time and ends September 27, 2024 at 6:00 pm Eastern Time. PepsiCo and Hello Alice teams will be announcing the recipients of the grant in November 2024.

Are sole proprietors eligible for the grant?

Yes! Even if your business is just you today, you are welcome to apply.

BELOW IS THE APPLICATION TEMPLATE - YOU MUST COMPLETE ONLINE THROUGH HELLO ALICE>.

Ideal Candidate

You are an ambitious woman entrepreneur in the food and beverage industry. You know who you are, your audience, and the positive impact you make. You're ready to conquer your next significant milestone, and you're prepared to leverage this grant and coaching to achieve it.

1.

Are you the woman owner or co-owner of the business for which you are applying for this program today? *

Select from optionsYesNo

2.

If chosen as a grant recipient, is the owner of this business willing to participate in the virtual Boost Camp Coaching Program starting in January 2025? *

Yes

No

Tell us who you are!

3.

What is your first and last name? *

4.

What is your email address? Please provide the email directly connected to the individual applying, rather than an admin or general info email address, to avoid missing important communications.  *

5.

What is the best phone number to reach you if your application moves forward? *

6.

What is your gender identification? *

This information enables us to improve our products and services by providing personalized content.

Female

Male

Gender non-conforming

Prefer not to say

Other

7.

What race(s) do you identify as? Select all that apply. *

This information enables us to improve our products and services by providing personalized content.

Asian

Black

Hispanic or Latin/a/x

Middle Eastern

Native or Indigenous

Pacific Islander

White

Multi-Racial

Prefer not to say

8.

Do you identify as LGBTQ+? *

Select from optionsYesNoPrefer not to say

This information enables us to improve our products and services by providing personalized content.

9.

Do you consider yourself to be an individual with a disability or disabilities? *

Select from optionsYesNoPrefer not to say

This information enables us to improve our products and services by providing personalized content.

10.

Do you have any military affiliation? *

This information enables us to improve our products and services by providing personalized content.

Active Duty

Military Family Member

Military Spouse

Veteran

None

Prefer not to say

11.

What is your age range?

Select from options18-2930-3940-4950-5960-6970+Prefer not to say

12.

What was your path to business ownership?

Select from optionsInherited my family businessExpanded my hobby into a businessPurchased my business from someone elseIdea from a pitch competition or acceleratorFounded as a studentOther

13.

What kinds of business-related activities have you participated in? Select all that apply. *

Hello Alice Boost Camp

Hello Alice Virtual or In-person Event

Accelerator

Incubator

Business Networking Event

Other

None of the above

14.

If you have participated in any of the above, please describe your experience and any outcomes or learnings. Max 150 words or 1000 characters. *

• 0 / 1000

And what you do!

15.

What is the name of your business? *

16.

What is your business's website? *

17.

What is your business's Facebook page?

18.

What is your business's Instagram handle?

19.

What is your business's LinkedIn page?

20.

What year was your company founded? *

Select from options202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001Prior to 2000

21.

What is your 9-digit Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)? Please enter without any dashes. *

22.

Please select your company’s industry: *

Select from optionsFood and Beverage Services/RestaurantsOther

23.

Which of the following best describes your business? *

Select from optionsRestaurantBodegaCarniceríaFood TruckCatering ServiceOther

24.

If other, please specify: 

What is your business mailing address?

25.

Street address

26.

City *

27.

State *

Select from optionsALAKAZARCACOCTDED.C.FLGAHIIDILINIAKSKYLAMEMDMAMIMNMSMOMTNENVNHNJNMNYNCNDOHOKORPAPRRISCSDTNTXUTVTVAWAWVWIWY

28.

Zip Code *

29.

My business is a: *

Select from optionsNon-profit, 501(c)(3)Sole ProprietorshipPartnershipLimited Liability Company (LLC)C-CorporationS-CorporationUnincorporatedOther

30.

Is your business certified by any of the following?

National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)

Small Business Administration (such as 8a, WOSB or EDWOSB)

System for Awards Management (SAM)

SupplierGATEWAY Enhanced Digital Certification (EDC)

State or City Government Certifying Agency (such as local MBE, SBE, DBE)

Other

None of the above

31.

How would you describe your business? What are the products and/or services you offer? Max 150 words. *

• 0 / 900

32.

Including yourself, how many employees does your business have? *

Select from options1 (Just Me)2 to 1011 to 2526 to 5051+

33.

What percentage of your team is from a historically underrepresented group, including but not limited to womxn, people of color, military-affiliated, persons with disabilities, or LGBTQ+? *

Select from options0%1 - 25%26 - 50%51 - 75%76 - 99%100%

34.

What was your annual gross revenue for the previous calendar year? *

Select from optionsPre-revenueLess than $25k$25k - $50k$51k - $100k$101k - $250k$251k - $500k$501k - $1M$1.1M - $5M$5M+

35.

What is your expected annual gross revenue for this calendar year? *

Select from optionsPre-revenueLess than $25k$25k - $50k$51k - $100k$101k - $250k$251k - $500k$501k - $1M$1.1M - $5M$5.1M+

Let's learn more about your challenges as a small business owner, and how we can help you:

36.

Have you been turned down for a business loan from a traditional bank in the last 5 years? (This will not impact your eligibility to be considered for the grant.)

Yes

No

Prefer Not to Say

N/A - I have not applied for a traditional bank loan

37.

What are your current sources of funding? Select all that apply. *

Bootstrapping

Loans or Other Debt

Friends and Family

Angel Investors

Crowdfunding

Grants

Venture Capital

Other

None of the above

38.

How would you articulate your current business outlook?

My business is steady and I am confident we will stay afloat.

My business is struggling but I am confident we will stay afloat.

I am unsure of whether or not my business will be able to remain open.

I am concerned my business will go under.

39.

What is your top business goal in the next 5 years?

Select from optionsLaunch My BusinessBuild My BrandCreate a Strategic PlanManage My FinancesHire a TeamDevelop a ProductAcquire CustomersGrow a FollowingMonetize My BusinessRaise CapitalPivot My BusinessExit My Business

40.

What is the biggest obstacle or challenge that your business faces? *

Select from optionsGrowing my businessFinding a network to support meHiring a teamRaising capital/Finding a loanMarketing my business/Building awarenessAcquiring customersFinding partnersDeveloping a product or serviceAccess to mentorshipDay-to-day operationsCustomer feedback

41.

Please elaborate on your biggest obstacle or challenge in two sentences or less. *

• 0 / 1000

42.

Have you taken the Business Health Score™ assessment? *

Yes

No

43.

If you selected “Yes” for the previous question, what component of the Business Health Score™ assessment do you need most help with? *

Select from optionsManagement PracticesFinancial PerformanceCredit HistoryN/A - I have not taken the Business Health Score™ assessment

Your business and the community:

44.

How do you make a positive impact on the community through your core business? Select all that apply.

Create jobs for underserved communities

Pay employees a living wage or above

Offer paid time off for employees

Offer creative employee benefits

Integrate social impact as core part of business

Utilize sustainable solutions in business operations

Support local suppliers and vendors

45.

In addition to your core business proposition, does your company do anything more for the community? Select all that apply.

Donate funds to community causes or organizations

Donate goods and/or services to community causes or organizations

Raise awareness for a social mission

Host volunteer days of service with employees

Host community gatherings

Other

None of the above

46.

Does your business engage in sustainability practices? Select all that apply.

Offer remote work

Provide public transit commuter benefits

Reduce, reuse, recycle

Compost

Use sustainable products or packaging

Make energy-efficient upgrades

Buy carbon offsets

Other

None of the above

The most important part!

This is your opportunity to share with us everything else we need to know in order to make this funding decision. For the narrative responses, you have 300 words per question - use them! Help us understand and connect with you and your business. Read each question carefully and do your best to answer them fully. If you haven't done so yet, consider taking some time to watch this Pro-Tips Workshop to help you get started!

47.

Tell us about you and your entrepreneurship journey. Why did you want to become an entrepreneur and start a business? Please be as specific as possible. Max 300 words or 1900 characters. *

• 0 / 1900

48.

If selected as a grant recipient, which of the following do you plan to use this grant primarily for? *

Select from optionsGeneral operating expenses (utilities, rent, permits/licenses, cost of goods)Sourcing or expanding inventoryDeveloping a new product or serviceHiring new employeesPayroll for existing employeesMarketing/advertisingOther

49.

Which areas of your business do you believe would benefit most from participation in the Boost Camp? *

Select from optionsAccess to capitalBusiness growth and strategySkill development and mentorshipFinancial managementMarketing and brand recognitionOperations and logisticsTechnology and digital toolsNetworking and relationship buildingHuman resources and team managementOther

50.

Describe the impact of this opportunity on your business. How will the Boost Camp and funding contribute to reaching your company's next major milestone, and what is that milestone? Please be as specific as possible. Max 300 words or 1900 characters. *

• 0 / 1900

51.

How does your business connect with and support your community? Please be as specific as possible. Max 300 words or 1900 characters. *

• 0 / 1900

52.

We want to hear what makes you proud of your business. What’s your biggest accomplishment to date? *

• 0 / 1900

The final clicks...

53.

Please declare if you and/or your company have any conflict of interest. Conflicts of interests are not limited to but may include a company employee’s family member being employed by Pepsico or a Pepsico employee being financially invested in your company. *

Yes

No

54.

If you selected "Yes" to conflict of interest, please explain. (If "No," please enter "N/A.") *

55.

How did you hear about the PepsiCo Juntos Crecemos Program?

Select from optionsHello Alice CommunicationPepsiCo communicationMedia articleGoogle searchSocial mediaEntrepreneur support organizationsEconomic development agencies and organizationsChambers of CommerceWord of mouthOther

By clicking "Submit", I agree that I am sharing my application with PepsiCo, that PepsiCo may contact me by using the contact information above, and that I have read and agree to Hello Alice's Privacy Policy and this program's Terms and Conditions. I also understand that if I am selected as a grant recipient, I may be asked to participate in marketing activities, and that I may be contacted at a later date to share how I invested the grant and its impact on my business.