MatchaBar (Discontinued)

Coming off its January rebrand and introduction of the expanded Hustle Energy line, MatchaBar continues to lead the charge for this growing category.

Two years after the launch of its sparkling energy drink Hustle, New York-based startup MatchaBar is introducing new branding and flavors for the line, now called “Hustle by MatchaBar.” The revamped products will feature new labelling and be split into two product lines: Hustle Energy and Hustle Tea.

With the major trade shows of the year behind us, October’s new product launches saw emerging brands announce line extensions while new companies debuted innovative and on-trend products such as meal replacements and cannabidiol (CBD) infused drinks.

Whipstitch Capital’s Mike Burgmaier, Blueberry Ventures’ Arif Fazal, and Green Circle Capital Partners’ Stu Strumwasser weigh in on hot topics in the beverage industry including the future of the DPS allied brands portfolio, new competition for natural energy drinks, and why alcohol companies are interested in kombucha.

The New York-based matcha brand announced today the completion of an $8 million Series A round led by a slate of celebrity investors including DJ/producer Diplo (born Thomas Wesley Pentz), Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller, actor Ansel Elgort and singer Billie Eilish.

Matcha industry game changer MatchaBar has brought another innovative drink to market – introducing MatchaBar: Hustle, the first Matcha Energy Drink powered by an exclusive blend of ceremonial grade matcha.

Matcha beverage maker and retailer MatchaBar is nearing completion of a new Series A funding round that includes rap icon Drake as an investor. The $2.5 million round is expected to close within the next few weeks and comes on the heels of a new national distribution deal with Whole Foods.

In an interview at the recently held 2017 Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City, Graham Fortgang, co-founder of MatchaBar, explained that the company’s cafes in Manhattan and Los Angeles act as a “huggable billboards” for the brand’s RTD drinks as well as incubators for innovative ideas.