Taste Radio: When Looking For An Investor, Look For A Friend

This week, we sat down with the co-founders of Vail-based private equity firm Manna Tree Partners and the founders of three portfolio companies, Verde Farms, Health-Ade and Gotham Greens, to explore the relationship between investor and entrepreneur. The discussions revealed how their personal friendship established a baseline for trust and helped create positive outcomes for all involved.

Numilk Turns to Cafes, Homes with Countertop Pivot

Over the past two years Numilk has quietly moved away from that original strategy to focus on developing technology for foodservice applications and now is preparing to scale its footprint and launch at-home devices capable of making nearly any non-dairy milk product consumers desire.

CENTR Brands Closes Roughly $3.5M Via Private Financing

According to a press release, the net proceeds of the new financing will be used for “growth-oriented production, continued expansion of the recently launched online channel, new product innovation, and general working capital.”

SuperCharge, April 21: Can’t Stop Living the Brand? Let’s Talk!

We’re featuring interviews with Seth Goldman of Honest Tea and Eat the Change - one of the best-known recidivist brand maniacs out there – as well as Parker Olson of Forij (he lives in the Forij van!) and Zack and Delisa Harper of Funky Mello (they met, made marshmallow fluff, and got married!).

A SHOC CEO: “New Blood” Powers $29M Raise

After announcing the closing of a $29 million Series B funding round on Thursday, performance energy drink brand A SHOC is looking to increase brand awareness and fuel its expansion with the support of its expanded athlete investor team, according to CEO Paul Nadel.

Judge Rejects Whole Foods’ Claim That $15 Million Breach of Contract Suit Is Invalid

AtlantaFresh Artisan Creamery’s case against Whole Foods Market is moving forward after U.S. District Judge Thomas W. Thrash denied Whole Foods' motion to throw out a $15 million breach of contract lawsuit. The case alleges the natural grocery chain prematurely and ‘abruptly’ broke a seven-year distribution contract with grass-fed dairy producer AtlantaFresh Artisan Creamery and caused the business to go under.

A SHOC Closes $29M Series B Funding Round

Performance energy drink brand A SHOC announced today it has closed a $29 million Series B funding round backed by existing investors and a roster of celebrity athletes.

Review: BeGOAT Cascara Functional Beverage

BeGOAT is a new line of sparkling functional beverages that are powered by cascara. The product seven flavors, all of which contain only 25 calories and 5 grams of sugar while delivering a potent 200mg of caffeine. BeGOAT is packaged in a slim 12 ounce can.

Distribution Roundup: Jeng Adds Sarene On East Coast; Alkaline88 Enters Europa

In this week's Distribution Roundup, craft mocktail brand Jeng partners with beer distributor Sarene to service the East Coast, while Alkaline88 targets fitness and nutrition retailers via Europa Sports, plus news from Wynk, RISE Brewing Co., Poppilu, Play Mode and Rowdy Energy.

BevNET Live Summer 2022: Creating Your Investment Narrative with Romitha Mally

Attendees at BevNET Live Summer 2022, taking place in New York City on June 15 and 16, will have a chance to hear from an incredible practitioner of the selling narrative this summer when Romitha Mally, the founder of The Mally Collective, an M&A and IPO advisory firm focused on high-growth, disruptive consumer companies takes the stage.