Headlines

‘Proudly GMO’ ZBiotics Closes $12M Round, Plots Retail Expansion ‘Proudly GMO’ ZBiotics Closes $12M Round, Plots Retail Expansion

‘Proudly GMO’ ZBiotics Closes $12M Round, Plots Retail Expansion

by Brad Avery,

ZBiotics, a food tech startup developing a slate of functional CPG products made with genetically modified probiotics, has closed a $12 million Series A funding round led by Spring Tide Capital. Joining Spring Tide are several other CPG-focused finance firms, including Access Capital, Seamless Capital, Goat Rodeo Capital and Seaside Ventures.

How Gin & Juice Aims to Leverage Snoop and Dr. Dre For A Gin Revival How Gin & Juice Aims to Leverage Snoop and Dr. Dre For A Gin Revival

How Gin & Juice Aims to Leverage Snoop and Dr. Dre For A Gin Revival

by Ferron Salniker,

Ready-to-drink products have built their brands around different cocktails: some are sessionable seltzers or old classics, others are obscure cocktails that haven’t yet hit mainstream. But Gin & Juice By Dre and Snoop, so far, is the only one that has emerged from a 90s rap anthem.

NIQ: Fourth Category Products Reach $13 Billion NIQ: Fourth Category Products Reach $13 Billion

NIQ: Fourth Category Products Reach $13 Billion

by Ferron Salniker,

Ready-to-drink (RTD) products surpassed $13 billion in off-premise sales in the 52-week period ending July 13, up +4% year-over-year (YoY), according to a mid-year report from market research firm NIQ.

Taste Radio: True Or False? Taylor Foxman Has All The Answers. Taste Radio: True Or False? Taylor Foxman Has All The Answers.

Taste Radio: True Or False? Taylor Foxman Has All The Answers.

by BevNET.com Staff,

Taylor Foxman, the founder and CEO of beverage advisory firm The Industry Collective, joins us for a conversation framed as a series of statements that she addresses as true or false, including those about the value of great taste, the impact of bad PR, the sober-curious movement, the future of cannabis beverages and Gen Z consumers’ relationship with alcoholic drinks.

Gut Check: Tru CEO McNamara Talks ‘Gutsy’ Launch, Brand Expansion Gut Check: Tru CEO McNamara Talks ‘Gutsy’ Launch, Brand Expansion

Gut Check: Tru CEO McNamara Talks ‘Gutsy’ Launch, Brand Expansion

by Martín Caballero,

Over the course of a decade as founder and CEO of functional beverage platform Tru, Jack McNamara gradually shepherded the Massachusetts-based brand from its early days as a liquid shot through to its current format – a line of 12 oz. canned RTDs – picking up industry backers (Polar boss Ralph Crowley) and investors (BTomorrow Ventures) along the way.

Taste Radio: Why Entrepreneurs May Benefit From The Mars/Kellanova Deal Taste Radio: Why Entrepreneurs May Benefit From The Mars/Kellanova Deal

Taste Radio: Why Entrepreneurs May Benefit From The Mars/Kellanova Deal

by BevNET.com Staff,

The hosts welcome NOSH managing editor Monica Watrous to the show as they discuss Mars’ $36 billion acquisition of Kellanova, including key takeaways from the deal, its impact on the food industry and why it may spur a flow of M&A activity among entrepreneurial companies.

Brown-Forman Scraps DEI Programs Brown-Forman Scraps DEI Programs

Brown-Forman Scraps DEI Programs

by Ferron Salniker,

Facing pressure from conservative activists online, Brown-Forman has dropped its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies, following a broader trend of major multinational companies cutting programs created to address systemic inequality in the corporate world.

From X to Z: Clearly Canadian Builds Modern Brand on Nostalgic Bedrock From X to Z: Clearly Canadian Builds Modern Brand on Nostalgic Bedrock

From X to Z: Clearly Canadian Builds Modern Brand on Nostalgic Bedrock

by Brad Avery,

Clearly Canadian has experienced the heights of success and the depths of bankruptcy. Now the Toronto-based sweetened sparkling water brand is figuring out how to strike the right balance between 1990s nostalgia and the modern, better-for-you beverage business.