Two ingredient development and innovation companies are joining forces: International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) and DuPont Nutrition & BioSciences announced yesterday that the two will merge via a $26.2 billion deal. The new company is valued at $45.4 billion, with a projected combined revenue of over $11 billion for 2019, morphing the two into a single global ingredient powerhouse for food and beverage CPG brands.
Butterfly, the private equity group which acquired a majority stake in Orgain in November, is expected to inject new energy and resources into the brand, providing a boost in marketing and a path towards international expansion, along with "fuel to the fire on our innovation," according to founder Dr. Andrew Abraham.
Todd Berardi Exits Hiball; Rowdy Mermaid Names VEB, PepsiCo Vet as VP of Sales & Marketing; Mad Tasty Names Dan Holland as COO; Sprig CEO Michael Lewis Exits Company; Scott LaPorta Joins Sugarfina as CEO; Lemon Perfect Names VP of Sales, VP of Operations; Apple Rush Adds Randy Ornstein to Advisory Board
Next month, Mondelēz will begin piloting Ruckus and Co., a two-SKU line of ready-to-drink frozen fruit smoothies set for broad launch in summer 2020. Available in dairy-based Berry Banana Twist and coconut milk-based Tropical Tango flavors, each 6 oz. bottle is designed as a “pack-and-thaw” item that can go into kids’ lunch boxes straight from the freezer in the morning and be ready to consume by midday.
Megan Bent, founder and managing partner of Harbinger Ventures, spoke about why launching the investment firm was about “rethinking some of the fundamentals in how capital is invested,” why funding decisions are “probably more relational than anything else” and why she encourages “bite-sized actions” to support greater diversity in business.
Aiming to expand its products across the refrigerated beverage set, plant-based protein drink maker Koia will launch a line of ready-to-drink coffees next month exclusively at Whole Foods stores nationwide. Koia Coffee contains 200 mg of caffeine, 5 grams of MCT oil, 9 grams of protein, zero sugar and 110 calories per 12 oz. bottle.
PepsiCo today announced the April 2020 launch of Pepsi Café, a blend of Arabica coffee and original Pepsi cola that will arrive at retailers nationwide in Original and Vanilla flavors.
Refresco CEO Hans Roelofs said that the acquisition of AZPACK allows Refresco to cover a regional white space in its growing national U.S. network. Based in Tempe, Arizona, AZPACK operates out of a 240,000 sq. ft. facility with hot fill, cold fill and flash pasteurization capabilities.
Like many consumers, Chris Miller has struggled with the overstimulation caused by modern technology. As the founder and CEO of Koios Beverage Corp., Miller is aiming to build on the emerging space for brain health functional beverages with a line of nootropic infused beverages intended to help consumers focus.
Non-alcoholic sparkling beverage brand Dry Soda Co. has invested in and partnered with Sans Bar, an Austin, Texas-based sober bar, the company announced this week. Sharelle Klaus, founder and CEO of Dry Soda Co., made the announcement on Monday while speaking at BevNET Live Winter 2019 in Santa Monica, California.
The second day of BevNET Live Winter 2019 looked back towards the entrepreneur, offering lessons and insights on how brand leaders can grow on both a professional and personal level.
The California-based brand, which pitched itself as a better-for-you alternative to carbonated soft drinks, beat out five other beverage startups in the competition, which was sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company’s Venturing and Emerging Brands unit (VEB).
Elizabeth Stein, founder and CEO of Purely Elizabeth, discussed how the brand’s focus on creating delicious, nutrient-dense foods has paid dividends since its launch in 2009. She also spoke about how the company has strategized around opportunities and challenges within a rapidly growing market for natural foods.
Beverage industry leaders took the stage at BevNET Live Winter 2019 in Santa Monica, California today, offering their insights into the importance for entrepreneurs to take risks and evolve, as well as the importance of knowing when to stand their ground and double down on the issues that matter most to them and their companies.
