PAKTLI

What PAKTLI does

Paktli (operating as Paktlifoods) is a Cincinnati-based, women-owned and minority-owned snack company founded in 2020 by Seena Chriti that produces organic alegrias — a traditional 16th-century Mexican snack reimagined with puffed ancient grains (amaranth, quinoa, millet) bound with organic and Fairtrade chocolate and dried fruits. The product line centers on Alegria Bites in four chocolate varieties (White, Milk, Dark with Blueberries and Cacao Nibs, Extra Dark with Cranberries and Cashews), a Sample Pack, an upcycled Alegria Crumbles topping, and a premium Celebration 'JOY' Gift Box paired with handmade Oaxacan textiles; all SKUs are USDA Organic, Certified Gluten-Free, and Kosher, with vegan and soy-free variants. Core production relies on a handmade process executed by a team of 7 Latina women, supplemented in 2024 by proprietary manufacturing equipment acquired to scale bite-sized formats for retail expansion.

Paktli monetizes through three channels: direct-to-consumer e-commerce on Shopify with one-time purchases and a 15% subscription discount, wholesale via Faire and a direct wholesale portal serving independent and natural food retailers, and a long-standing farmers-market presence across Ohio and Northern Kentucky. Marketing is largely earned-media and organic-social driven — email list of 3,000+ subscribers, Instagram, Facebook, SMS, podcast appearances, and Cincinnati regional press — and the company holds WBENC women-owned and MBE minority-owned certifications alongside USDA Organic and Fairtrade certifications.

The company has executed a clear pivot from artisanal, full-size alegrias toward scaled retail readiness: a 2024 shift to bite-sized formats, 2024 selection into PepsiCo's Greenhouse Accelerator (Juntos Crezcamos Edition, $20,000 award), a 2025 Sprouts Farmers Market trial that did not convert into retained distribution, and a 2026 INFRA partnership for placement in 300 northeastern US natural food stores paired with a planned rebrand and single-serving formats for airplanes and offices. The company operates with a 7-person team, no disclosed institutional capital beyond the PepsiCo accelerator award, and has been navigating a co-manufacturer transition in 2025 ahead of the planned retail scale-up.

Name

PAKTLI

Legal name

Paktlifoods

Website

https://paktlifoods.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Paktli is a Cincinnati-based, women- and minority-owned snack company founded in 2020 that produces organic Mexican alegrias made from puffed ancient grains and Fairtrade chocolate, selling direct-to-consumer, wholesale, and through farmers markets with planned expansion into 300 northeastern US natural food stores via INFRA in 2026.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Organic Snacks

NAICS

Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing (3113), Starch and Vegetable Fats and Oils Manufacturing (31122)

SIC

Miscellaneous Food Preparations & Kindred Products (2090), Cookies & Crackers (2052)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Snack Foods Manufacturing (Ethnic/Regional, Gourmet, Functional) (AFAKAIAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ethnic Bakery, Confectionery & Snacks Wholesale (AFAIAIAE), Rice Cakes & Grain Snack Manufacturing (AFAKAIAK)

Keywords

• Organic ancient grain snacks
• Mexican alegria bites
• Gluten-free chocolate snacks
• Wholesale natural food
• Fairtrade cacao snacks

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Direct E-commerce Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales through Shopify-powered online store with one-time purchases and subscription options (15% monthly subscription discount), targeting individual consumers seeking premium organic snacks.
2. Wholesale B2B Sales: Wholesale channel through Faire marketplace and direct wholesale registration, selling bulk orders to independent retailers, grocery stores, and natural food retailers including INFRA partner stores.
3. Farmers Market and Independent Retail: Initial GTM strategy focused on farmers markets and independent retailers, generating direct revenue while building brand awareness in local markets.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Paktli manufactures and sells organic Mexican alegria snacks made from puffed ancient grains (amaranth, quinoa, millet) combined with Fairtrade chocolate, dried fruits, and nuts. The product line centers on bite-sized Alegria Bites in four chocolate varieties, sold direct-to-consumer via Shopify, through wholesale to retailers, and at farmers markets.

Product overview

Paktli (Paktlifoods) is a minority-owned, women-owned snack company founded in Cincinnati in 2020, specializing in organic Mexican alegrias — traditional 16th-century snacks reimagined with puffed ancient grains (amaranth, quinoa, millet) and high-quality chocolate. The product portfolio centers on Alegria Bites offered in four chocolate varieties (White, Milk, Dark with Blueberries and Cacao Nibs, Extra Dark with Cranberries and Cashews), sold individually or as a Sample Pack. Secondary offerings include Milk Chocolate Alegria Crumbles (upcycled topping product) and a premium Celebration "JOY" Gift Box featuring the full flavor range plus artisan Oaxacan textiles. All products are organic, kosher, gluten-free, with vegan and soy-free options available. The company sells direct-to-consumer online and through wholesale channels including independent retailers and natural food stores.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NEW Dark Chocolate Alegria Bites w/ Blueberries + Cacao Nibs Organic Mexican Alegria Bites made with 62% dark chocolate, dried wild blueberries, cacao nibs, and puffed ancient grains (amaranth, quinoa, millet). Balanced bite of rich dark chocolate with light, crumbly, airy crunch. Certified gluten-free, vegan, and kosher. Sold in 4-pack to 20-pack sizes; subscribe for $17 (4-pack) or pay-as-you-go $20 (4-pack).
• NEW Extra Dark Chocolate Alegria Bites w/ Cranberries + Cashews Organic Mexican Alegria Bites made with 70% extra dark chocolate, dried cranberries, cashews, and puffed ancient grains. Rich extra dark chocolate with tangy cranberries and cashew crunch. Vegan-friendly and gluten-free. Sold in 4-pack to 20-pack sizes at $20-$80.
• NEW Milk Chocolate Alegria Bites Organic Mexican Alegria Bites made with Fairtrade milk chocolate and puffed ancient grains (amaranth, quinoa, millet). Creamy milk chocolate with light, crumbly, airy crunch. Certified gluten-free. Sold in 4-pack to 20-pack sizes at $20-$80.
• NEW White Chocolate Alegria Bites Organic Mexican Alegria Bites made with Fairtrade white chocolate and puffed ancient grains (amaranth, quinoa, millet). Balanced sweet bite of creamy white chocolate. Currently out of stock. Sold in 4-pack to 20-pack sizes at $64-$80.
• PAKTLI Alegria Bites Sample Pack Sample pack containing all four alegria bite flavors (White Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate with Blueberries and Cacao Nibs, and Extra Dark Chocolate with Cranberries and Cashews). Includes 5 bags total, with white chocolate substituted if unavailable. Priced at $10 with $10-off first-order discount codes.
• PAKTLI Milk Chocolate Alegria Crumbles Upcycled production byproduct in milk chocolate flavor, designed for sprinkling on yogurt, ice cream, or eating by the handful. Made with Fairtrade milk chocolate and puffed ancient grains. Gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, and preservative-free. Priced at $9 (1-2 pack), originally $18.
• Paktli Celebration "JOY" Gift Box Premium gift box containing 12 alegria puffs in assorted flavors (White, Milk, Dark with Blueberries, Extra Dark with Cranberries), plus a handmade textile from Oaxaca created by women artisans. Priced at $70 USD. Currently sold out.

Quantifiable outcome

• 12-month shelf life
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• PepsiCo Greenhouse Accelerator ProgramflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Selected as one of eight trailblazing food and beverage startups for PepsiCo's Greenhouse Accelerator Program Juntos Crezcamos (Together We Grow) Edition, providing mentorship, resources, and potential investment for growth.
• INFRAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorINFRA, a company working with natural food retailers, has selected Paktli for placement in 300 stores across the northeastern United States. This represents a major retail expansion for the brand beyond its initial farmer's market and independent retailer presence.
• FaireminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale distribution partnership through Faire marketplace, enabling approved wholesale customers to purchase Paktli products in bulk through the platform.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Lesser Evil: Organic, low-sugar popcorn, puffs, and snack clusters sold in natural and mainstream retail. Direct competitor in the premium clean-ingredient snack cluster category and similar bite-sized format.
• Purely Elizabeth: Premium natural-snack brand built around ancient grains (quinoa, amaranth) and clean-label positioning. Most direct US peer to Paktli given shared ancient-grain and gluten-free narrative targeting the same health-conscious, premium-grocery shopper.
• Hail Merry: Plant-based, gluten-free, non-GMO snack cups and bites sold through natural and specialty channels. Small-scale premium natural-snack brand serving the same health-conscious premium shopper.
• Hu Kitchen: Paleo-inspired chocolate bars and snacking chocolate with a clean-label, premium positioning. Comparable on the chocolate-snack intersection where Paktli's alegria bites also live.
• Bobo's: Oat-based baked bars and bites positioned as wholesome snacks in natural-food and mainstream grocery. Comparable format (single-serve bite/pack) and overlapping health-conscious consumer base with Paktli.
• That's It. Fruit-based snack bars and bites with a clean-label, allergen-free positioning. Direct competitor for guilt-free, portion-controlled snack occasions in the natural-food channel.
• Simple Mills: Founder-led natural CPG brand with USDA Organic, gluten-free crackers, cookies, and snack bars sold in natural and mainstream grocery. Direct US competitor for clean-label snack occasions and similar retail buyer relationships.
• Made Good: Allergen-friendly (gluten-free, nut-free) granola bars, cookies, and snacks distributed in natural and mass channels. Direct competitor in the allergen-friendly premium-snack set that Paktli also targets.

Broad incumbents

• Enjoy Life Foods: Established allergen-free snack brand (now part of Mondelez) with broad distribution across natural and mass grocery. Sits in the same allergen-friendly premium-snack category as Paktli but at significantly greater scale.

Emerging players

• Partake Foods: Allergen-free, woman- and minority-founded snack brand selling cookies, wafers, and baking mixes through natural and mainstream retail. Comparable founder-led, allergen-friendly premium positioning with a similar growth-stage trajectory.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/paktlifoods
• Instagraminstagram.com/paktlifoods

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PAKTLI