Brazi Bites, pioneer of Latin-inspired, better-for-you, naturally gluten-free foods, announced La Porteña Foods as the winner of its first Latino Entrepreneur Accelerator Program (LEAP). Selected based on the brand’s powerful story and inspiring founder, La Porteña receives a $10,000 business grant and a 12-week mentorship with Brazi Bites Co-Founder and CMO, Junea Rocha, alongside access to resources across the Brazi Bites team, including sales, marketing, operations, finance, e-commerce and more.
Born out of a family recipe with Argentinian roots, La Porteña is a Portland-based, Latino-owned business that crafts locally sourced, high-quality, small-batch chimichurri. Founded by a second-generation Argentine immigrant, Jessica Viciconte, the company is committed to growing a diverse food system, supporting farmers, and building strong communities. La Porteña is elevating chimichurri, introducing the colorful flavors of South America as a way to honor and celebrate Argentinian culture.
In addition to La Porteña, five finalists have been chosen for their outstanding CPG business models and products, including:
Vamigas – a green, fragrance-free, botanical and superfood beauty brand created by Latinas who are on a mission to reclaim the cultural identities of Latin American ingredients.
Hot Mama Salsa – creator of hand-produced fresh salsas, hot sauces, Mexican style chili oils, and tortilla chips using traditional ethnic cooking methods, whole peppers, and fresh local ingredients.
Rif Care – a first-of-its-kind women’s wellness company focused on Gen Z hormone health by making the first period care out of hemp fiber.
Ice Queen – a Chicana and Native owned company that makes vegan paletas, recreating childhood memories at the paleteria and introducing the community to the concept of paletas.
I Eat My Greens – creator of clean, whole veggie soups that use flavorful herbs to create unique, mouthwatering flavors never seen in the market.
LEAP launched Sept. 15, 2022, during Latin Heritage Month and received nearly 100 applications from Latino-owned businesses across the US. While the number of Hispanic-owned businesses continues to increase, many still find it challenging to raise the appropriate funding to launch and grow their businesses. As a Latino entrepreneur who founded one of the fastest growing brands in the frozen food aisle, Rocha created LEAP as a way to uplift minority leaders with her deep understanding of the unique challenges entrepreneurs face and the obstacles of building a business from the ground up.
