• by Karlene Lukovitz  @KLmarketdaily, September 23, 2016

Chobani has chosen the first group of food start-ups for its new incubator program.

The six winners were chosen, from more than 400 entries, based on the promise of their business concepts and sharing Chobani’s values. 

Each will receive a $25,000 development grant, as well as training and support from Chobani executives and other experts in core business and food industry knowledge areas.

For six months starting in October, the entrepreneurs will have their own space in Chobani’s New York City SoHo office, access to its plants and R&D and sales operations, expenses for traveling to Chobani locations, and other support.    

Chobani founder and CEO Hamdi Ulukaya, who selected the winners, said that the company wants to use its learnings from its nine years in business to mentor and support passionate, innovative entrepreneurs who have the potential to disrupt traditional food categories, “challenge the food industry, improve broken systems and make a difference.”

Ulukaya told FoodNavigator that Chobani is not taking stakes in the start-ups, although it’s also not ruling out having “business partnerships” with them “down the line.”

The six start-ups in the incubator’s first “class” are Banza (chickpea-based pasta noodles); Chops Snacks (jerky); Cissé Cocoa Co. (Fair Trade organic chocolate); Jar Goods (specialty pasta sauces); Kettle & Fire (grass-fed bone broth); and Misfit Juicery (cold-pressed juices made from fruits and vegetables left over from production of fresh-cut produce).