Beijing AIForce wins accelerator for eco-friendly electric tractors

Beijing AIForce Technology has been named the winner of this year's Greenhouse Accelerator Program in Asia Pacific, an initiative operated by PepsiCo.

Beijing AIForce Technology secured the award for its autonomous, low-carbon electric tractors, which were recognised by the judging panel as an emerging solution for advancing sustainable farming practices in the region.

The GHAC program

The Greenhouse Accelerator (GHAC) program, now in its third year in Asia Pacific, is PepsiCo's flagship effort to support startups focused on sustainable agriculture, circular economy, and climate resilience. Each of the 10 finalists received a USD $20,000 non-dilutive grant, personalised mentorship from PepsiCo executives, access to PepsiCo's partner network, and the prospect of piloting their solutions within PepsiCo's value chain.

In the latest edition, the finalists represented a diverse geographical spread, with startups coming from Australia, China, Indonesia, Singapore, and South Korea. Among the finalists were two Australian companies: Endua, a Brisbane startup supported by CSIRO and Main Sequence Ventures, which focuses on on-site production of green hydrogen, and Calyx.eco, a Sydney-based firm that delivers data-driven insights into the environmental impacts of supply chains for food and beverage enterprises. Participation in the program enabled Endua to identify three new market opportunities through connections within the cohort.

Beijing AIForce's agri-tech platform

Beijing AIForce Technology is in the early testing phase of its autonomous, low-carbon electric tractors, combining robotics and data tools to facilitate efficient farm operations capable of running day and night. These solutions target pressing agricultural challenges, including reducing operating costs, addressing labour shortages, and lowering carbon emissions.

As winner of the 2025 GHAC programme, Beijing AIForce Technology will receive further funding of USD $100,000 to accelerate its efforts.

Dr. Han Wei, Founder & CEO, Beijing AIForce Technology said, "We are incredibly honoured to be named the winner of this year's PepsiCo Greenhouse Accelerator in Asia Pacific. Participating in this program has been a game-changer for us. The mentorship, connections, and insights we've gained have sharpened our strategy and opened doors to new opportunities. We're grateful to PepsiCo for believing in our potential, and look forward to what's ahead."

Early benchmarking of the company's tractors on PepsiCo farms indicated potential reductions in both operational costs and emissions, offering preliminary insights into practical applications for sustainable farming models.

Judging and support structure

The final event culminated in Shanghai, where all shortlisted startups presented their progress. Finalists were evaluated by a panel of cross-sector experts from within and outside PepsiCo, including roles focused on sustainability, supply chain management, investments, and finance. The selection criteria included innovation, feasibility, scalability, and demonstrable progress during the course of the program.

Anne Tse, Chief Executive Officer, PepsiCo Asia Pacific said, "After three editions, the APAC Greenhouse Accelerator has shown that the real test of sustainability innovation is not the idea itself, but whether it works where it matters - in the field, on the line, and in the market. The strength of this program is how it connects founders with the scale of our value chain and the discipline to measure both environmental and economic outcomes. Each year, we're building a stronger pipeline of solutions across circular economy, regenerative agriculture, and climate resilience that can support the long-term transformation of our industry. This year's winner reflects that journey - moving from vision to viability - adds to the momentum of a program that is now firmly embedded in APAC's innovation ecosystem."

Over a five-month period, each startup received tailored guidance from PepsiCo's experts and previous program alumni, along with participation in ten learning modules covering business optimisation, supply chain challenges, fundraising, and marketing. The program also provides opportunities for pilot deployments, allowing startups to test and validate their solutions in real-world scenarios.

This year, several finalists, including Beijing PHAbuilder Biotechnology and Bali Waste Cycle, initiated pilots with PepsiCo or its partners to validate solutions such as biodegradable film development and plastic waste regeneration.

Alumni impact and ongoing commitment

Previous GHAC participants have gone on to implement pilots and secure funding after their involvement. For instance, X-Centric, a 2024 finalist, collaborated with PepsiCo's agricultural teams to verify the impact of a portable fluorescence instrument, later raising AUD $600,000.

Another example is Enwise, a 2023 finalist, which refined its business model with PepsiCo's input and expanded its operations in China and Thailand.

Globally, the GHAC initiative has worked with over 100 startups since 2017, contributing to more than USD $15 million in new revenue. In Asia Pacific, over the last three years, more than USD $1 million has been awarded in grants and pilot funding, with over 20 pilots approved.

Ashley Brown, Chief Sustainability Officer – APAC and India, PepsiCo said, "The Greenhouse Accelerator Program is driving how we advance pep+ in APAC. By giving early-stage innovators direct access to our business, we test and scale solutions that promote packaging circularity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and build climate-resilient agriculture. Each edition expands this pipeline, with alumni and winners delivering pilots that align with the sustainability priorities of our industry and region. Many congratulations to Beijing AIForce Technology on their achievement in developing and testing low-carbon autonomous e-tractors for sustainable farming. Their work demonstrates the kind of solution making an impact today. I am excited to see them build on their experience in GHAC and continue to scale in the years ahead."

PepsiCo congratulated Beijing AIForce Technology and all the 2025 finalists for their contributions towards sustainability in the agricultural sector.