GlobeNewswire Inc | Feb 9, 2021 09:00AM EST

February 09, 2021

-- CoLab is a collaborative program for US-based early-stage well-being snack brands -- Participating start-ups will receive a $20,000 grant and participate in a 12-week growth-centric curriculum led by SnackFutures -- Call for submissions is now open at www.snackfutures.com

CHICAGO, Feb. 09, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SnackFutures, the Mondelz International, Inc. (Nasdaq:MDLZ) innovation and venture hub, today announced the launch of CoLab, a new start-up engagement program for early-stage well-being snack brands.

CoLab is deliberately designed to be a collaborative effort between entrepreneurs and the Mondelz International ecosystem to drive mutual growth. SnackFutures will provide participating start-ups with tools, technologies and access to networks and industry expertise, while also gaining insights, capabilities and prospective investment opportunities. Its also yet another demonstration of SnackFutures mission to create a snacking world that is good for people, kind to the planet and deliciously fun by bringing big and small together to push the boundaries of whats possible in well-being snacking.

Since SnackFutures launched in 2018, the team has been immersed in the start-up community, traveling around the globe to uncover trends, gain insights, understand entrepreneurs business challenges, and fuel the SnackFutures innovation pipeline. The team has also created and launched five well-being brands in the U.S. and Europe including CaPao, Dirt Kitchen Snacks, Millie Gram, NoCo, and Ruckus and Co, and made minority investments in Uplift Food, Torr and HU which was recently acquired by Mondelz International.

SnackFutures is in a unique position of both creating our own brands and investing in start-ups, so we can offer participants empathy and understanding from our own experiences along with the rigor, discipline and insights of global snacking leader, said Brigette Wolf, Global Head of SnackFutures, Mondelz International. Its even more important for programs like CoLab now as these small brands try to recover and grow out of the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

CoLab is a 12-week program customized based on each participants business challenges and growth priorities with a key emphasis on providing dedicated attention, 1:1 mentorship, workshops and access to Mondelz Internationals leadership, best-in-class expertise, resources and networks. The curriculum will be a combination of virtual sessions and three in-person activities (where and when travel is permitted). Up to 10 start-ups will be chosen to participate in the program and receive a $20,000 grant.

The call for submissions is now open with the program set to begin in June 2021. To apply, start-ups must be based in the U.S., generating at least $500,000 in revenue, have high growth potential, align with the Mondelz International innovation priorities, and can benefit from working with Mondelz International and the companys partners.

For more information or to apply to the CoLab program, visit www.snackfutures.com.

About Mondelz InternationalMondelz International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MDLZ) empowers people to snack right in over 150 countries around the world. With 2020 net revenues of approximately $27 billion, MDLZ is leading the future of snacking with iconic global and local brands such as OREO, belVita and LU biscuits; Cadbury Dairy Milk, Milka and Toblerone chocolate; Sour Patch Kids candy and Trident gum. Mondelz International is a proud member of the Standard and Poors 500, Nasdaq 100 and Dow Jones Sustainability Index. Visit www.mondelezinternational.com or follow the company on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MDLZ.

Contacts: Jessica Vogl (513) 238-6530 news@mdlz.com