It’s time to reveal the semifinalists for BevNET’s signature pitch competition, the New Beverage Showdown, taking place at BevNET Live L.A. December 7+8.
This year’s New Beverage Showdown, presented by Coca-Cola North America’s New Revenue Streams unit, features a dynamic group of emerging brands pushing beverage innovation in new directions. The semifinalists range from kanna-powered mood drinks and next-generation energy to watermelon seed milk, oat milk matcha, low-dose THC, zero-proof cocktails and culturally inspired sparkling drinks with Filipino, West African and Middle Eastern roots. Together, they reflect the breadth of opportunity shaping today’s beverage landscape.
Founders from 12 emerging beverage brands will compete in the semifinal round of the New Beverage Showdown on Monday, December 7. The entrepreneurs will share their business strategies and products with a panel of expert judges for immediate feedback. Six finalists will then be chosen to pitch for the winning title on Tuesday, December 8.
Now, let’s meet the players…
The New Beverage Showdown semifinalists are:
- FAVE: FAVE makes certified organic drink mixes in nostalgic flavors like lemonade, fruit punch and tangy orange. Each serving has just 6g of sugar and no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners.
- Golden Disco: Golden Disco crafts premium zero-proof cocktails inspired by the classics, including a yuzu-forward take on the French 75 and a passionfruit Mai Tai, made for celebrations and social occasions.
- Herb Light: Herb Light is a light beer-inspired, hemp-derived THC beverage with just 1mg of THC per can. It’s designed as a sessionable “non-alcoholic-plus” option you can enjoy more than once.
- Joey: Joey makes organic, no-added-sugar electrolyte drinks for kids and teens, with ocean-sourced minerals, prebiotic fiber and vitamins C and D, as a better-for-you alternative to sugary juice boxes and sports drinks.
- Kampeon Water: Kampeon Water is a vitamin-enhanced, caffeine-free sparkling water made with real fruit juice in Filipino-inspired flavors like calamansi, lychee and melon.
- MILKish: MILKish is a plant-based milk made from watermelon seeds, with zero sugar, 50 calories and a water footprint 99% lower than almond milk.
- Moia: Moia makes zero-calorie, zero-sugar sparkling water infused with natural essences inspired by Middle Eastern flavors, such as cardamom pear.
- Myce: Myce makes kanna-powered functional sparkling beverages designed to support an uplifted mood, calm focus and social connection, all without stimulants.
- No Ceremony: No Ceremony makes ready-to-drink oat milk matcha lattes with Japanese matcha. The brand draws on its founders’ four generations of Japanese hospitality heritage to make matcha an easy everyday ritual.
- NuMuti: NuMuti is a South African social tonic that blends traditional African botanicals like kanna with nootropics and electrolytes, positioned as an alcohol alternative that lifts mood and eases social tension.
- RITE Quiet Energy: RITE is a zero-sugar functional energy drink powered by paraxanthine and goBHB ketones, delivering smooth, sustained energy and mental clarity without jitters or a crash.
- ZZAI: ZZAI makes cane sugar-sweetened sparkling sodas inspired by West African drink traditions, including Chapman, Zobo (hibiscus and ginger) and TamTam (mango and tamarind), with no artificial sweeteners, colors or preservatives.
In addition to being the star of the show, the winner of the New Beverage Showdown will receive a $10,000 awareness-building advertising package from BevNET, a live interview on BevNET, and an engraved trophy. Past winners include Poppi, Health-Ade, MALK and Cann, among many others.
Watch the competition and meet the players at BevNET Live. With hundreds of industry professionals already registered and less than four weeks until the event, now is the time to secure your spot. Check out the growing attendee list to see who you can meet.