HyVIDA Rebrands, Launches Hy Infused B2B Division

Hydrogen-infused sparkling water brand HyVIDA is emphasizing fun and flavor, alongside health, in a new rebrand that launched this month. Based in Michigan, HyVIDA is available in Lemon Lime, Raspberry and unflavored Pure varieties. Each 12 oz. can contains zero calories and retails for $1.49-$1.99.

Oatly CEO: Going Public “Was the Right Thing to Do”

Ringing in the company’s first day trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market, Oatly CEO Toni Petersson said the decision to go public was “the right thing to do.” Initially priced at $17 per share, at the top of its predicted range, Oatly’s stock opened at roughly $21 per share, up about 24%, as it began trading shortly before noon today.

Q Mixers Names Joel McHale as ‘Chief Happy Hour Officer’

Q Mixers is looking to raise its national profile with the appointment of comedian and TV host Joel McHale as Chief Happy Hour Officer. The celebrity partnership arrives as the company is seeking to expand its on-premise business as pandemic restrictions are lifted across the country.

Streams Turn to Sales For good2grow

If you are like many Americans, chances are you spent a good amount of the past 12 months at home watching something on one of the ever-growing streaming entertainment options available from providers like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon. For kid’s beverage maker Good2Grow, all those views are now paying off.

Brightfield Report Anticipates Strong Growth Across Consumable CBD Categories

As pandemic restrictions begin to lift and consumers slowly return to “new normal” habits, the U.S. CBD market is expected to see a strong recovery throughout 2021 while laying the groundwork for the market to return to its “explosive and volatile growth” by 2022, according to a recent report by Chicago-based intelligence firm Brightfield Group.

Report: Oatly to Go Public at $17 Per Share, $10B Valuation

Oatly is going public at $17 per share, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal, which cited sources familiar with the matter. The company offered 84.4 million shares and the IPO raised $1.43 billion, giving the company a valuation of roughly $10 billion.

Watch: Category Closeup: Product Showcase – CSDs/Soda

This month’s episode of Category Close-Up: Product Showcase focuses on the CSDs/Soda category and features interviews with Top Note American Mixers, United Sodas of America, Corina’s Switchy, LA Libations (Mad Vine), Casamara Club and Soda Bossa.

Gallery: Spring’s Latest Ready-To-Drink Cocktails

With warmer weather approaching, spirit brands have launched a variety of refreshing and low calorie canned-cocktails for consumers to enjoy throughout the summer months. Check out the gallery for the latest RTD offerings with new brands debuts and everything from sparkling margaritas to whiskey lemonade.

Investor Speed Dating Series: Connecting Brands with Investors this June & July

This summer’s Speed Dating events will be even more frequent, as well as more focused. Our upcoming events will be 60 minutes instead of two hours to free up calendars and allow participation in multiple events. Each event is also now focused on a particular fundraising stage and/or category of products to lead to more qualified conversations.

New Legislation Seeks to Open CBD Food and Beverage Market

Filed by Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Rand Paul (R-KY) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), the Hemp Access and Consumer Safety Act calls for “hemp, hemp-derived cannabinoid, or substance containing any other ingredient derived from hemp” to be exempted from established prohibitions currently on the books.

Review: CANN Unspiked

Known for its flagship line of low dose THC enhanced beverages, CANN is now branching out of the cannabis and into the broader non-alcoholic beverage space. Unspiked contains no THC, CBD or other functional ingredients and instead focuses on refreshment with a low calorie formulation.