Headlines

Cloud Water Looks Beyond CBD With Immunity Line

Seeking to expand its platform as a functional beverage company, New York-based Cloud Water is innovating beyond CBD with a new line of immunity boosting beverages launching this fall. Cloud Water +Immunity will be available in three flavors: Blood Orange and Coconut; Grapefruit, Mint and Basil; and Blackberry, Lemon and Rosemary.

Watch Office Hours: The COVID CEO’s Survival Handbook

Welcoming questions and supplying stories from his own extensive experiences as a founder and CEO, Skae will speak to the BevNET and NOSH community from the perspective of someone who has worked to be nimble and creative -- to help companies punch above their weight class -- no matter the circumstances.

NewAge Agrees to Merger With Direct Selling Co. ARIIX, Four Others

Continuing its expansion into the global marketplace, Colorado-based New Age Beverages Corp. entered this week into a definitive agreement to acquire Utah-based multi-level marketing company ARIIX and four other international brands, bringing the company’s pro forma revenues to over $500 million with a footprint in 75 countries.

Brand Profile: Wakava Brings West African Flavors to the U.S.

While hibiscus has become an increasingly popular ingredient across beverage categories from kombucha to beer, cold brew hibiscus tea brand Wakava is offering a flavor less familiar to American consumers. Founded by Nigerian entrepreneur Olamide Adeboye, the St. Louis, Missouri-based brand aims to introduce new flavors to the American palate by offering a twist on a popular West African antioxidant beverage.

Misfits Market Closes Round, Will Scale Marketplace Offering

Grocery delivery service Misfits Market announced yesterday the close of an $85 million round of capital led by Valor Equity Partners. Additional investors included Greenoaks Capital, Third Kind Venture Capital, and Sound Ventures.

Nielsen: At-Home Consumption Drives Non-Alc Beverage Sales

“Robust” at-home consumption drove beverage sales over the 4th of July holiday, according to an analysis of all channel Nielsen data by Goldman Sachs Equity Research. Overall beverage sales were up 11.6% year-over-year for the two-week period ending July 11, versus 12.2% growth for the 4-week period and 6.9% for the 52-week period.

Vive Organic Closes $13M Round With Monogram Capital

Vive Organic closed a $13 million Series B funding round led by Monogram Capital, the company announced today. Existing investors Cambridge SPG and PowerPlant Ventures also participated in this round.

SprintToSuccess S1E3: From Strategy to Creative

This week we’re sharing episode three of SprintToSuccess, a video series focused on demystifying the branding process for entrepreneurs in the food and beverage space. In this episode, we are turning the corner from strategy to creative.

People Moves: Essentia, Nutrabolt CMOs Announce Exits

Essentia CMO Karyn Abrahamson has exited the company, according to an Essentia spokesperson. Zola Kane, Essentia’s VP of integrated marketing, has stepped into the interim CMO role.

Brand Profile: Calypso Makes Gains By Going ‘Light’

Even with the COVID-19 pandemic still roiling, Calypso is coasting along behind strong tailwinds; as of mid-July, the company is up by 50% for this year, according to CEO David Klavsons.

Elevator Talk Livestream Round 18: Quokka Brew, 3 Mountains Tea

The eighteenth round of Elevator Talk Livestream features leaders from Quokka Brew, RIND Snacks, 3 Mountains Tea, Good Dees and Paleo Pro. This week's special co-host is Trent Moffat, the owner of Gotham Brand Managers.

Spirits Gallery: Summer Whiskeys and RTDs

In this spirits gallery, we highlight some of the notable new releases from the past several weeks, including new whiskey expressions from Nikka and Booker’s, plus a spate of new ready-to-drink cocktail products ranging from floral summer flavors (You & Yours, Dry Fly) to boozy cold brew (Kahlua).

Coca-Cola: Pandemic Causes Double-Digit Declines, But Company Remains Optimistic

The Coca-Cola Company said it is hoping the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is behind them following a 28% net revenue drop to $7.2 billion during Q2, according to the conglomerate’s quarterly earnings report today, ending what CEO James Quincy said was arguably “the toughest and most complex quarter in Coca-Cola history.”