Align Ventures Closes $125M Early Stage Fund II
Align Ventures closed its early-stage Fund II at $125 million. The consumer-focused firm aims to allocate Fund II into 15 to 20 brands, with check sizes ranging from $2 million to $10 million.
Headlines
Free Rein Joins Protein Coffee Race With First RTD, Expands Chainwide At Walmart
Free Rein Coffee Company has launched a Protein Platform that includes K-Cup pods and its first line of RTDs.
Consumers Are Shopping Beverages by Benefit, Not Category, Says New FMI Report
Consumers today have more beverage choices than ever before, but they’re increasingly choosing drinks based on the benefit they’re seeking – hydration, energy, protein or relaxation – rather than the category they fall into.
Suppliers Face Steep Losses as RNDC Enters Chapter 11
Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy this week, putting many suppliers who have gone months without payment in the back of the line to collect.
Is Poppi Slowing Down? Analysts Suggest Outlook Looking ‘Less Optimistic’
Tracking the falling valuation of Pepsi's liability payments attached to a $300 million performance milestone bonus, one analyst called it “a hard piece of financial evidence suggesting that the outlook for the business is less optimistic than it was six months ago.”
Taste Radio: Whole Foods Said Wait. Little Spoon Built A $150M Brand Instead.
How do you build a $150M CPG brand after your first retail opportunity falls apart? For Little Spoon, the answer was to stop waiting for retail and start building a direct relationship with its customers. In this episode, co-founder Angela Vranich breaks down the decisions, challenges, and operating principles that turned an early setback into the foundation for one of the biggest success stories in modern CPG.
Coke Projects Confidence in Innovation Strategy Amid Strong Q2 Earnings
The Coca-Cola Company’s “consumer-led innovation” strategy, with an emphasis on functionality and better-for-you, helped it to beat projections for Q2 2026 in its latest earnings report released on Tuesday.
Distribution: Hiyo Expands Partnership with Breakaway Music Festival
Hiyo has inked a three-year partnership with Breakaway Music Festival that names the brand the official non-alcoholic beverage partner for the 2026, 2027 and 2028 seasons.
Vita Coco Sales Soar +28% Behind Brand Growth, Private Label Lift & Tariff Refunds
As Vita Coco turns its attention to the premium segment, the coconut water category leader is moving from a position of continued financial strength.
Brown-Forman Shuts Down Sazerac Bid Again
Months after Brown-Forman’s board rejected Sazerac’s $15 billion buyout proposal, Sazerac has made a renewed bid.
RNDC Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after nearly selling off all its territories.
Alexandre Family Farm Drops ROC, Certified Humane Amid Animal Welfare Scrutiny
It claims to be the country’s first regenerative organic dairy farm, but after years of scrutiny over its animal welfare practices, Alexandre Family Farm has dropped its Regenerative Organic Certified status.
New Beverages: BERO Introduces Spider-Man LTO, Nurri Adds Multiserve Protein Milks
This week's new products include LTOs from BERO and Coffee mate, protein-enhanced offerings from OWYN and Nurri, and a new intoxicating hemp refresher for golfers from Tree Time.
Taste Radio: The Good, Bad & Ugly Of Mission-Driven Brands
Can a brand built on purpose survive when its mission is put at risk? The hosts examine the high-stakes battle over Ben & Jerry's social identity, discuss what founders can learn about building a mission-driven business that lasts, and spotlight emerging brands proving that great products—not just great stories—win loyal customers.