Next round of SIGCUBATOR opens for food and beverage innovation

27-Jan-2022 - Last updated on 27-Jan-2022 at 10:59 GMT

One start-up business that applied to SIG’s SIGCUBATOR program in an earlier round is The Good Pea Co based in the UK. Pic: SIG

SIG has announced the fourth version of its SIGCUBATOR accelerator program food and drink start-ups and small businesses to help launch their products.

SIG said while many entrepreneurial start-ups are driving industry innovation and value creation, some don’t have the volume to produce big batches with co-packers or the expertise and financial ability to invest in their own production plant, which is what the program is intended to address.

One start-up business who applied to SIGCUBATOR in an earlier round is The Good Pea Co based in the UK, which was sponsored by SIG to have its pea-based milks test-filled in SIG’s unique carton bottle combidome 1,000ml at co-packer Framptons. Framptons will now be the co-manufacturer of The Good Pea Co as the company gets ready to launch its two new SKUs: Original and Barista.

Suhani Bhudia, co-founder of The Good Pea Co, said, “Thanks to SIG and the huge support from its SIGCUBATOR program, especially the initial cost-free test filling in SIG’s combidome carton bottle, we are now ready to launch our two new healthy and sustainable plant drinks to market with co-packer Framptons. SIG’s sponsorship will enable The Good Pea Co to produce samples for potential retailer listings and boost brand awareness at vegan festivals and pop ups.

“SIGCUBATOR has been a game changer for us, as we went from cooking up pea recipes in our own kitchens at home to launching our first commercially scalable products with Framptons. I would highly recommend submitting your idea to SIG’s SIGCUBATOR program, as the result could be so pivotal for your business too.”

SIGCUBATOR takes start-up ideas on a ‘consumer-centric’ journey, from testing prototypes in SIG’s test centre in Germany, through to a launch to market. SIG said it gives advice, consumer-focused insights, and access to its global network within the food and beverage industry.

Anna Rabanus, global category manager at SIG, said, “The team at SIG is excited to begin 2022 by offering more start-ups invaluable help with getting their innovate product ideas to market. It’s been incredible to see how our SIGCUBATOR program has helped small companies over the past three years, from GROUNDED in the UK with its plant-based drinks in SIG’s combidome carton bottle, to Tiptoh in Belgium with its range of pea protein-based drinks in our combiblocMidi 1,000ml carton pack.

“GROUNDED, for example, are now producing in the UK and have recently launched with online retailer Ocado in the UK. Watch this space for upcoming launches from The Good Pea Co and Bear Paw Drinks, who has already won an award for one of its plant-based coffee creamers. We can’t wait to see what new ideas are out there and then to start engaging with these start-ups to foster successful future partnerships.”

Food and drink start-ups can apply at www.sigcubator.com. The deadline is February 28.