How an outside idea reaches a company, in its own words · checked 2026-10-29
How to sell an idea
PepsiCo, The Coca-Cola Company, Unilever, 3M and others have a door anyone can use. Every other company here says no, or says nothing. Each one in its own words, with what you give up by sending it something.
PepsiCo · Poppi (prebiotic soda) from Allison and Stephen Ellsworth (founders) $1.95 billion
“In March 2025, PepsiCo announced it would acquire Poppi for $1.95 billion.” en.wikipedia.org
2025
Lowe's · Foundation Building Materials from Foundation Building Materials $8.8 billion
“Lowe's agreed to acquire Foundation Building Materials for $8.8 billion in cash in August 2025, purchasing the home improvement supplier with the intention of expanding into the business that serves contractors and builders. [ 26 ]” en.wikipedia.org
2024
PepsiCo · Siete Foods from the Garza family (founders)
“On October 1, 2024, PepsiCo announced it had entered an agreement to acquire the company.” en.wikipedia.org
2022
Mondelēz International · Clif Bar & Company from Gary Erickson and Kit Crawford (owners) $2.9 billion
“CHICAGO — Mondelez International Inc. on Monday announced an agreement to acquire Clif Bar & Company, leading U.S. maker of nutritious energy bars with organic ingredients, for $2.9 billion with additional contingent earnout consideration.” foodmanufacturing.com
2022
Kimberly-Clark · Thinx (majority stake) from Thinx, Inc. shareholders
“DALLAS - Kimberly-Clark has completed its acquisition of a majority stake in Thinx, Inc., a supplier of reusable period and incontinence underwear.” nonwovensnews.com
“In addition, Stanley Black & Decker had the option to acquire the remaining 80% of MTD starting July 1, 2021, [ 4 ] which it did on August 17, 2021.” en.wikipedia.org
2021
Nike · RTFKT (virtual sneakers and collectibles) from Benoit Pagotto, Chris Le and Steven Vasilev
“In December 2021, Nike has acquired RTFKT, a leading brand that leverages cutting edge innovation to deliver next generation collectibles that merge culture and gaming.” about.nike.com
2021
Toyota · Lyft Level 5 (self-driving division) from Lyft US$550 million
“In April 2021, Woven by Toyota (then Woven Planet Holdings) agreed to acquire Lyft 's Level 5 self-driving vehicle division. [ 15 ] Financing included US$550 million in cash with $200 million paid upfront and $350 million of payments over five year period.” en.wikipedia.org
2021
Toyota · CARMERA (crowdsourced road mapping) from CARMERA, Inc.
“In July 2021, Woven by Toyota (then Woven Planet Holdings) also acquired CARMERA, Inc., a company that "specializes in sophisticated road mapping updates made cheaper and faster by using crowdsourced information obtained in real time from millions of net-connected Toyota vehicles." [ 17 ]” en.wikipedia.org
2021
Uber · Drizly (alcohol delivery) from Nick Rellas, Justin Robinson, Spencer Frazier $1.1 billion
“In October 2021, Uber acquired the company for $1.1 billion in cash and stock. [ 10 ]” en.wikipedia.org
2020
PepsiCo · Rockstar Energy from Rockstar Energy $3.85 billion
“In 2020, PepsiCo acquired Rockstar Energy for $3.85 billion.” en.wikipedia.org
2020
Uber · Careem from Careem (Dubai ride-hailing) $3.1 billion
“In January 2020, the company was acquired by Uber for $3.1 billion, including US$ 1.4 billion in cash and US$ 1.7 billion in convertible notes,…” en.wikipedia.org
2020
Uber · Postmates from Postmates Inc. US$2.65 billion
“In December 2020, Uber acquired Postmates for US$2.65 billion. [ 21 ] [ 22 ] [ 23 ]” en.wikipedia.org
“In October 2019, Acelity and its KCI subsidiaries worldwide were acquired by 3M for $6.7 billion, including assumption of debt and other adjustments.” en.wikipedia.org
“It was acquired by Whitbread in 1995, then sold to The Coca-Cola Company in January 2019 in a deal worth $4.9 billion, and has grown to over 4,000 stores across 31 countries and 18,412 employees.” en.wikipedia.org
“In February 2019, Graze was acquired by Unilever for an undisclosed sum.” en.wikipedia.org
2019
Tesla · Maxwell Technologies (ultracapacitors, battery tech) from Maxwell Technologies US$218 million
“In February 2019, electric vehicle and clean energy company Tesla, Inc. announced that it planned to acquire Maxwell Technologies.…” en.wikipedia.org
2018
Mondelēz International · Tate's Bake Shop from Tate's Bake Shop owners some $500 million
“The company was sold to Oreo and Chips Ahoy maker Mondelez International in 2018 for some $500 million, and continues to operate as an independent business.” en.wikipedia.org
2018
PepsiCo · SodaStream from SodaStream International shareholders US$ 3.2 billion
“In August 2018, the company was acquired by PepsiCo for US$ 3.2 billion.” en.wikipedia.org
2018
Procter & Gamble · Merck KGaA consumer health division from Merck Group €3.4 billion ($4.2 billion)
“In December 2018, Procter & Gamble completed the acquisition of the consumer health division of Merck Group (known as EMD Serono in North America) for €3.4 billion ($4.2 billion) and renamed it as Procter & Gamble Health Limited in May 2019.” en.wikipedia.org
2018
Apple · Shazam from Shazam Entertainment (UK) $400 million
“In December 2017, Apple Inc. announced its acquisition of Shazam for a reported $400 million (£300 million).…” en.wikipedia.org
2018
Ford · Spin (e-scooters) from Spin (dockless bike/scooter startup)
“With the expiration of Seattle's bikeshare pilot program permit, Spin decided not to seek a new permit with the city and ceased its operations there in September 2018.…” en.wikipedia.org
2018
Microsoft · GitHub from GitHub, Inc. US$7.5 billion
“On June 4, 2018, Microsoft announced its intent to acquire GitHub for US$7.5 billion (~$ 9.46 billion in 2025).…” en.wikipedia.org
