PepsiCo offers students a chance to fund their big idea

As part of their journey to attract talent and empower the youth, PepsiCo India, one of the largest food and beverage companies in the country, conceptualised a campus challenge called – ‘Change the Game’. The initiative, now it its third edition, is a much sought-after campus challenge that provides young talent a platform to share creative solutions to ‘real-life’ problem situations, with a chance to work with the company.

This year, PepsiCo’s Change the Game challenge has become bigger as the India winners will compete with winners from other regions, for a chance to meet and present their business case to PepsiCo’s CEO, Ramon Laguarta and the global leadership team in New York. Additionally, PepsiCo will also grant the winners a fund of $100,000 for bringing the winning idea to life, along with an international job offer.

Speaking about the initiative, Suchitra Rajendra – VP Human Resources India region, PepsiCo India said: “The main objective of the ‘Change the Game’ challenge is to spot the brightest sparks of talent by inviting them to develop sustainable and viable solutions to real issues. This year’s challenge is focussed on finding creative solutions to attaining PepsiCo’s Performance with Purpose goals for sustainable packaging and recycling. We have already received an overwhelming response from India and continue to be impressed with the diverse range of creative business plan submissions we have received. We hope deserving talent from India will go on to win the at the next level too.”

The Change the Game challenge is a creative way to spot young talent, harness their potential and work collaboratively to overcome challenges that PepsiCo and the industry faces. Over the years, Change the Game has only gotten bigger. The third edition has received a phenomenal response – with 11,000 students from top B schools in India putting their minds to make the world a better place by presenting solutions for sustainability.

The challenge is open to undergraduate and postgraduate individuals, as well as working professionals with up to three years’ experience, giving them an opportunity to make their mark globally.

The winning teams from the three PepsiCo Regions – India Region, Asia Pacific Region (Philippines, Korea, Thailand and Pakistan) and Middle East & North Africa Region (Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and UAE) will be eligible to travel to Dubai where they will compete at the finals. They will also get a year-long international experience* or a two-month international internship*.

The Regional First Runners Up will receive either a local job offer* or an opportunity to ‘Shadow a Senior Business Leader’ for a week. Regional Second Runners Up will receive an opportunity to Shadow a Senior Business Leader for a week.