NEW YORK, NY (August 12, 2016) – InterContinental Beverage Capital, Inc. (“IBC”) announced that it has entered into a business advisory agreement with Bibo International, LLC, maker and importer of Soul® Premium Cachaca (“SOUL®”), “the spirit of Brazil”®. Under terms of the agreement, IBC will provide certain strategic business, branding and financial advisory services to Bibo. Bibo, a Spirits company located in Newport, RI, launched SOUL® in the United States less than four years ago. IBC is a New York-based merchant banking and advisory firm with representative offices in Atlanta, Boca Raton, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Washington, DC.
Cachaca is the most widely consumed spirit in Brazil and the third most distilled spirit in the world. Over one billion liters of Cachaca are consumed annually in Brazil, where it is the national drink. Recently Cachaca has begun to receive global acceptance in Europe and the US, with Germany being the largest importer of the spirit. With global appetite growing for mixable beverages, but with emphasis on retaining local flavor and heritage, SOUL® was founded on the belief that American consumers were ready for an authentic, indigenous beverage.
Soul® Brazilian Premium Cachaca is made in small batches with estate- grown, all natural sugar cane in pot stills. The product is all natural with no additives or preservatives and is gluten free. SOUL® is a smooth, easily consumed and mixable spirit, with the nose like that of a fine tequila, the taste of natural, fresh sugar cane, and the smoothness of luxury vodka. SOUL’s® product quality is exceptional, as the “Wine Enthusiast” magazine recently awarded SOUL® 92 points, a “Best Buy” status and named SOUL® one of the “Top 100 Spirits of 2015”.
Mark Lester, Soul’s® founder, said, “Our partnership with IBC will allow us to tap into a broad range of industry and category experience, both in the United States and globally. This expertise will enable us to focus on continuing our rapid expansion and broadening our out-reach to consumers and the trade
Andrew Mansinne, IBC’s Managing Director, is leading the project with Mark Lester. Mansinne has over 25 years of beverage industry experience, with an emphasis on wines and craft spirits. He was President of Aveniu Brands and was previously a Senior Vice President with Brown-Forman, before joining IBC.
John Carson, Chairman of IBC, former President of Cadbury Schweppes NA and Triarc Beverages NA Chairman, added, “This is a perfect match of a fast growth, talented young company that has developed an excellent product with a group that brings decades of experience in growing successful brands globally.”
About Soul® Cachaca
Soul® Premium Cachaca, the “spirit of Brazil”, was founded in 2012 by Mark Lester, a serial entrepreneur. In less than four years, SOUL® has become the fastest growing super-premium priced Cachaca in the US, and can be found in many national and local Latin-themed restaurants, as well as upscale bars and hotels. For more information about Soul® Cachaca visit: www.soulcachaca.com
About InterContinental Beverage Capital, Inc.
IBC is a New York-based advisory, merchant bank focused on the beverage and consumer packaged goods industries. IBC has a worldwide network of strategic industry contacts, lending institutions, consultants, recruiters, and management teams. These sources provide expertise, industry capabilities, access to new customers, and valuable investment and commercial banking capabilities to partnership companies. IBC is actively seeking partnerships in its targeted verticals in companies, which have unique products and dedicated management that exhibit the ability to develop into category leaders. For more information, visit www.inbevcapital.com
Media Contact:
InterContinental Beverage Capital, Investor Relations, 212-634-7277, info@inbevcapital.com
Soul® Cachaca, info@soulcachaca.com, 646-355-4234 www.soulcachaca.com