As scientific understanding of hydration and diet regimens improves, and the dynamics of locker rooms change to hand more power to nutritionists and dietitians, sports drink makers are now turning to innovation to cover all the bases for their ever-evolving consumers.

Premium, imported bottled water brand Icelandic Glacial announced today that it has raised $66 million in new financing to fuel U.S. and international growth. The funding includes a $35 million investment from BlackRock’s US Private Credit team, as well as $31 million in new equity issued to new and existing investors.

CBD-infused drink mix maker OLEO, Inc. announced today it has raised $1.5 million in a convertible note round. Speaking to BevNET, OLEO co-founder and CEO Skyler Bissell said the financing served as a “bridge round” between its 2016 series seed and a yet-to-be-determined future funding round.

Earlier this week, Inc. released the 2019 edition of the Inc. 5000 list — a ranking of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the U.S. Alongside marketing firms, healthcare management, financial services and other service providers, this year’s list featured dozens of natural food and beverage companies, showing the industry’s increasing impact on the American economy.

Pillars Drinkable Greek Yogurt Doubles Store Count; Yerbae Adds 2,000 Stores; MATI Energy Launches Whole Foods Southwest, Focuses on Office Accounts; LIFEAID Partners with Hudson News Distributors; ITO EN Oi Ocha Green Teas to Enter Walmart; HFactor Adds 1,500 Walmart Locations

Mark Nunn Leaves Nutpods, Starts Consulting Business; Humm Hires Matt Witherell as President; Dean Foods Names New CEO; Former Coke Exec Joins Glucose Health Board; FloWater Names New Chief Sales Officer; O2 Sports Recovery Names New VP of Sales

Speaking with BevNET, Dixie CEO Chuck Smith said the partnership -- which at the end of its term can be renewed two times for up to four years -- is likely to produce a variety of THC-infused products under the AriZona name, starting with vape pens and gummies.

The growth of video game culture has opened the doors for beverage brands able to supply the demand for functional drinks that appeal to the specific needs of gamers. A handful of smaller, innovative energy drink brands have seized on the space to offer authentic, better-for-you options tailored for long, intensive gaming sessions.

Citing U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) guidance prohibiting the sale of CBD-infused food and beverage products, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) last week issued cease and desist notices to CBD beverage manufacturers and has embargoed sales for at least one beverage company.

Ontario, Canada-based Flow Alkaline Spring Water opened this month a $15.5 million, 55,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Augusta County, Virginia. Flow founder and CEO Nicholas Reichenbach told BevNET that the facility will act as a new “homebase” for manufacturing of products sold in the U.S. while its Canadian operations will serve the international market.

Facing declining sales, this past spring The Fresh Market sent out an open call to beverage brands in every category to submit products for consideration. All told, the company received more than 600 products for consideration. Four months later, The Fresh Market officially began its reset after the Fourth of July holiday with over 300 products.

Last summer, Juice Served Here co-founder Greg Alterman took to the defunct brand’s Instagram account to tell its followers that the California-based company would one day return. Now, Alterman says, the day is here, as he plans for a fall 2019 relaunch.