US-based food processing company Kraft Heinz has launched a new platform called Springboard to develop and accelerate the growth of disruptive brands within the food and beverage segment.

Through its new platform, Kraft Heinz intends to support the inspired founders, as well as develop potential brands within one of four sectors, which are natural and organic, speciality and craft, health and performance, and experiential brands.

The company believes that these four areas will shape the future of the food and beverage industry.

Under its new platform, the company will encourage founders to continue with their businesses and will be extending their support by providing Kraft Heinz in go-to-market capabilities, helping in research and development and consumer insights.

Springboard Brands general manager Sergio Eleuterio said: “We are committed to support and partner with teams that will impact the future of our industry.

“We are actively searching for emergent, authentic brands that can expand into new categories, and are looking to build a network of founders to help shape the future of foods and beverages.”

“We are actively searching for emergent, authentic brands that can expand into new categories.”

Additionally, Springboard is launching an incubator programme, which focuses on nurturing food and beverage startups at a pre-valuation stage through a dynamic 16-week sprint in Chicago, US.

Beginning from 7 March, the Springboard will be accepting applications for first-to-market, disruptive food and beverage startups until 5 April.

Food and beverage companies selected under the Springboard incubator programme will also have a chance to receive financial support to build brands and guidance to raise additional funding.

The incubator programme will offer a collaborative work environment to the participants as well as provide invaluable business resources, which includes a dedicated workspace, pilot plants and commercial kitchens at Kraft Heinz Innovation Centre in Glenview, Illinois, US.

Additionally, each participant will be given an opportunity to learn management practices, global operating scale and extensive food safety and quality capabilities of Kraft Heinz under the incubator programme.