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San Francisco, CA

Scaling production and expanding eco-friendly distribution of plant-based frozen desserts through a cooperative model.

• Innovative packaging: Eight-hour Frozen Signature Box eliminates the need for plastic or freezers.
• Empowering women: Cooperative model provides business training and profit sharing.
• Sustainable ingredients: Uses organic, non-GMO, plant-based, and gluten-free recipes.
• Proven demand: Supplies to major corporate clients and local retailers.
• Industry recognition: Recipient of the Latina Empresaria Hall of Fame CHCC Award.

Pepito’s Paletas is a San Francisco-based cooperative blending traditional Mexican paletas with healthy vegan recipes, committed to sustainability and women’s economic empowerment. Founded in 2010 and operating full-time since 2019, the company produces made-to-order frozen treats using organic, plant-based, non-GMO ingredients and biodegradable packaging. Its signature innovation, the eight-hour Frozen Signature Box, keeps paletas fresh without plastic or freezers, enabling eco-friendly distribution to corporate clients and retail locations. Through a cooperative model, Pepito’s Paletas provides women with hands-on, three-year business training designed to cultivate ownership skills, profit sharing, and operational expertise.

Funds from this raise will be used to purchase new manufacturing equipment and provide working capital, allowing the company to scale production, reduce packaging costs through bulk purchasing, and meet growing demand. The investment will support expanding distribution, particularly of the Frozen Signature Box, while maintaining the company’s commitment to health and environmental responsibility. With a strong client base including major corporations and a track record of industry recognition, Pepito’s Paletas aims to grow its brand presence, expand its retail reach, and continue empowering women entrepreneurs through its cooperative business structure.

Company Info

Pepito’s Paletas produces vegan Mexican paletas with sustainable packaging while operating as a cooperative that trains and empowers women entrepreneurs.

Pepito’s Paletas is a San Francisco-based frozen dessert company specializing in traditional Mexican paletas made with healthy, vegan recipes and sustainable practices. Founded in 2010 and operating full-time since 2019, the company uses local, organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, and plant-based ingredients, paired with biodegradable packaging. Its innovative eight-hour Frozen Signature Box preserves paletas without plastic or freezers, enabling eco-friendly distribution. Serving both local retail outlets and major corporate clients such as Facebook and Google, Pepito’s Paletas combines cultural tradition with a modern focus on health, quality, and environmental responsibility. The company operates in a certified kitchen with FDA, USDA, and GFSI certifications and has been recognized for its contributions to minority and woman-owned business leadership.

Structured as a cooperative-style incubator, Pepito’s Paletas is designed to train and empower women entrepreneurs through a three-year, hands-on program covering business fundamentals, profit sharing, and operational management. This model transforms participants into business owners rather than employees, fostering long-term economic independence. The company’s growth strategy includes scaling production with improved equipment, expanding its retail presence, and deepening corporate partnerships. By blending tradition, innovation, and social impact, Pepito’s Paletas seeks to position itself as a leader in plant-based frozen desserts while promoting sustainable practices and community empowerment.