Open Innovation Submission Portal
Frequently Asked Questions
Why have I been redirected from PepsiCo.com to a separate third party portal to submit my innovation?
The reasons are threefold. Firstly, PepsiCo wants to ensure that all submitter responses are reviewed and dealt with in a consistent and timely manner. Secondly, PepsiCo understand that solutions can be provided by a variety of sources, some that may require support in describing the solution in a way that enables more clarity on how it solves a need. yet2 has significant experience working in this area and is able to facilitate the process for ensuring best chance of success. Thirdly, ensuring only non-confidential information is received eliminates the risk of jeopardizing PepsiCo ongoing research programs, projects and developing concepts. PepsiCo may be developing similar concepts, so sharing only non-confidential information is important for protecting PepsiCo IP position as well as your own. If the non-confidential information is of interest then a Confidential Disclosure Agreement will be discussed with you and signed by you and PepsiCo prior to any confidential discussions.
What happens now?
When you "Click to Respond" and enter this yet2 OI Portal you will be asked to complete a short "Submitter Information Form" including your contact details, a non-confidential overview of your solution and your agreement to the terms and conditions of submission (Waiver). yet2 will review your details and evaluate the solution on behalf of PepsiCo within the third party managed portal.
What information does my submission need to include?
Contact information is essential for us to follow up. The submission form must also at least provide a good non-confidential overview of the proposed solution. You only need to send us an outline of your innovation at this stage describing how it works in a general technical sense and what the benefits to the consumer would be. Of course, the more information that you are able to provide the better. If you have a published or granted patent, that will normally be a sufficient description of itself, and you can simply provide us with the details of the published patent/application.
Do I have to be at least 18 years old to submit an innovation?
Yes, this is the legally-accepted age for agreeing to terms and conditions for this activity.
Who decides if my submission is of interest to PepsiCo?
yet2 will review your "Submitter Information Form" in relation to criteria provided by PepsiCo to decide on whether your solution is a fit to PepsiCo needs. yet2 will follow up directly with you via email or phone to inform you of the status. That may include, no further action, more details required or of interest for further discussion etc.
How long will it take for my submission to be reviewed? What are the stages?
On submitting your "Submitter Information Form", you will receive an email confirming your submission has been received, and you will be provided with a unique submission identification number. Contact will then be made within two working days to inform you of the status of your submission.
- Reject - solution does not meet criteria
- Under further review
Following further review, the following stages may apply and depending on which you will then be contacted directly by yet2 for discussion:
- Further details are required to clarify information provided
- Solution is under review in PepsiCo
- Solution is of interest and a Confidential Disclosure Agreement is required
Is there a reward for submitting my innovation?
There will be no reward for your submission on Technical Challenges in the initial stages. However if PepsiCo decides to pursue a submission, they will proceed with a mutually agreed contract and therefore related commercial terms on a case by case basis. This could include for example (but not limited to) product supply, license, Joint Venture, technology acquisition, patent acquisition etc.
In the case of Competitions, rewards will be detailed in advance as part of the competition terms.
Is only non-confidential information required?
Throughout the submission process, we ask for only information that imposes no obligations of confidentiality for PepsiCo or yet2 and does not breach any confidentiality obligations that you the submitter owe to others. If confidential information is later required, we will negotiate a separate Confidential Disclosure Agreement prior to sharing of any confidential information.
Do I have to accept the Submission Portal Terms & Conditions?
Yes, these are created to protect you and your rights, and also eliminates the risk of jeopardizing PepsiCo ongoing research programs, projects and developing concepts.
If I have more than one submission, will I have to agree to a waiver for each submission?
Yes.
Do I have to have Intellectual Property protection? (Patents applied for or filed)
Ideally, your solution will be protected by granted or applied-for patents. However, PepsiCo are willing to discuss early stage ideas before a patent filing has been made or before it has been published. If you have not filed for patents yet, you should not disclose any information that jeopardizes your rights to file patents, and we advise you contact an IP lawyer prior to submission.
What happens if I submit my proprietary innovation or confidential information through this portal?
PepsiCo has a policy of not accepting unsolicited ideas. For more information, see the policy here.