Headlines

Soylent CEO Crowley Exits, Demir Vangelov Named as Successor

Soylent announced yesterday that CEO Bryan Crowley has been replaced, naming former CFO & COO Demir Vangelov to the chief executive role. In a blog post, Soylent chairman and co-founder Rob Rhinehart said the leadership change comes as the company looks to make changes to its strategy and product.

Elevator Talk: Yumix Offers Fresh Mixed Cocktails Utilizing Unique Packaging

Lea Feghali is the co-founder and chief brand officer at Yumix, a beverage brand with a fresh proposition for cocktail consumers. Instead of offering a premixed ready-to-drink cocktail, the brand’s unique packaging gives the user the experience and ability to mix spirits and fruit juice immediately before consuming.

Dirty Lemon Makes Mass Retail Push With Walmart Launch

Functional beverage brand Dirty Lemon today announced it will be making the jump from direct-to-consumer sales to mass retail this spring through a national retail partnership with Walmart. The launch will bring three of the brand’s most popular SKUs — +Charcoal +Collagen, +Ginseng, each in 16 oz. bottles — to 500 store locations nationwide.

Sprite Targets Brand ‘Reinvention’ with Ginger Launch

As The Coca-Cola Company turns toward flavor innovation to grow its core CSD portfolio, Sprite is the latest brand to receive a permanent addition to its lineup with Sprite Ginger, launching this month in original and Zero Sugar varieties.

CBD Brand BLNCD Enters Beverage with Sparkling Water Line

Minnesota-based CBD health and wellness brand BLNCD Naturals (pronounced Balanced) is making its first step into the beverage space, partnering with Big Watt Coffee to produce a line of CBD-infused sparkling waters launching this month.

Former Exec: Outlaw Energy is Shutting Down

Energy drink maker Outlaw Beverages is shutting down, according to the brand’s VP of sales David Martin. Martin announced on LinkedIn yesterday that the company had been unable to find outside financing to fund operations. As well, president and CEO Jesus Delgado-Jenkins left his position last month, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Taste Radio Insider Ep. 71: Why Profitability Means Saying ‘No’ More Often

Nona Lim spoke about the development of her namesake food brand and the importance of saying “no” to “top-line growth that isn’t in line with our profitability requirements.” She also discussed the ways in which she funded her upstart brand prior to accepting venture capital, how she negotiates favorable terms with suppliers and why she describes venture capital as a “double-edged sword.”

Coffee, California Are Keys to Minor Figures U.S. Oat Milk Debut

As Minor Figures quietly rolls out to U.S. coffee shops and independent retailers, the four-year-old brand is hoping its coffee credentials and playful personality will help it to disrupt an increasingly crowded marketplace.

Caliva Launches CBD Beverage Unit with Soul Grind Coffee

Speaking with BevNET, Caliva head of beverage Chris Cuvelier said Soul Grind is part of a broader portfolio strategy for CBD drinks. The company currently manufactures both THC and CBD products including cannabis flower, tinctures and edibles. Soul Grind will be its first brand sold into mainstream retail channels.

BevNET Live Winter 2019 Breakout: Investment Insight for Early Stage Brands

This breakout session, recorded at BevNET Live Winter 2019, features an in-depth discussion on investment led by a panel of speakers including Brian Goldberg, co-founder and managing director, CapStream Group; Arthur Gallego, principal, Gallego & Co.; and Robert Brown, managing director, Encore Consumer Capital.