Virginia-based kombucha brand Blue Ridge Bucha announced last week that it has been acquired by Hank Heyming, a venture capitalist who is also the co-founder and a managing partner of Trolley Ventures. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Jones Soda has named Mark Murray as its permanent president and CEO; Vermont-based kombucha maker Aqua ViTea announced an expansion of its leadership team with three new additions to its c-suite; Soylent co-founder Rob Rhinehart has stepped down as chairman of the company’s board of directors.
Hard coffee maker Bomani Cold Buzz announced last week that it has raised $3.5 million in an investment round featuring over 40 firms and individuals; Connecticut-based ‘Merican Mule, maker of a line of canned ready-to-drink Moscow Mules, announced last week a round of financing led by The Bishop Family, founders of Blue Buffalo pet food and SoBe Beverages.
VPX Sports, the maker of Bang Energy, is seeking an injunction against PepsiCo to stop it from making threats to its customers and wholesale distributors, as the two companies’ dispute over a long-term distribution contract moves into the legal phase.
CBD beverage brand Unity Wellness Co. has raised $1.25 million in a Series A funding round poised to aid the brand’s nationwide expansion. Founded in 2019, the California-based company is currently available in more than 500 stores across 16 states, including at Erewhon, alongside numerous independent accounts.
Connecticut-based tart cherry juice brand Cheribundi announced today the closing of a $15 million series B financing round, led by existing investor Emil Capital Partners. The round will go towards supporting new hires to the Cheribundi’s c-suite and sales team, as well as funding innovation, marketing and distribution expansion.
In this Distribution Roundup, brain-boosting energy drink NERD Focus lays the groundwork for national expansion with partnerships in New Jersey, Nevada and Tennessee. Meanwhile, CBD brands Caliper and DEFY secure c-store partnerships in Texas.
Almond and oat milk have been two of the key innovations driving the growth of plant-based milks in the U.S. But as consumers get comfortable with their dairy alternative of choice, is there room for one more? Roxana Saidi, CEO of pistachio milk maker Táche, believes that her brand is poised to beat sizable competitors on flavor.
PepsiCo debuted this week a redesign package for its 2-liter bottles across its core CSD portfolio, the first update to the format in nearly 30 years. The new bottle design, which will be rolled out across the Pepsi, MTN Dew, Crush, Mug Root Beer and Sierra Mist brands, among others, is intended to be easier to grip and pour for consumers.
Less than a year after entering an exclusive distribution agreement with PepsiCo that was touted as a blockbuster deal at the time, Bang Energy announced today it has terminated the relationship. According to a press release, Bang gave PepsiCo notice of termination on October 23, citing “multiple issues and concerns regarding PepsiCo’s performance since the parties’ distribution partnership began.”
Looking to provide a “gritty” and “accessible” take on botanical-infused sparkling water, New York-based startup Rockaway -- which launched online in September -- is seeking to marry on-trend health and wellness ingredients with a kickback-and-relax aesthetic to offer a differentiated take on the category.
Setting its sights on becoming one of the top kombucha brands in the U.S., Better Booch is targeting new growth channels including food service and ecommerce as it continues its nationwide expansion. The brand has placed an increased focus on health-based fast casual restaurant chains, with the brand entering By Chloe and Veggie Grill stores this fall.
Medical grade meal replacement producer Kate Farms announced today it has closed a $51 million Series B funding round led by Goldman Sachs and Kaiser Permanente Ventures. The round marks the second set of financing raised by Kate Farms this year, following a $23 million Series A-1 round which was closed in April. This new round brings the company’s total fundraising to $99 million.
In a sign that the at-home consumption trend appears as strong as ever, non-alcoholic beverage sales were up 12.2% year-over-year in the two-week period ending October 31, and up 12.7% in the four-week period, according to an analysis of Nielsen data by Goldman Sachs.
