Crowdfunding – What Do I Need to Know?

It's often the first question when launching a new company: "How will I fund this endeavor?" While traditional routes, including angel investment and bank loans, are common sources of financing, a relatively new option exists: crowdfunding.

Review: Go Ape Energy Drink

While the flavor of Go Ape Energy Drink is definitely one that we’ve had before, the company wisely chose NOT to use the classic Red Bull-style flavor that so many upstart brands use. Unfortunately, however, the taste isn't overly memorable or substantially better than what’s out there. And while the ape theme is certainly something that will catch eyes, it does, at least in our opinion, undermine its credibility as a functional product.

American Beverage Association Launches Offensive on Caffeine

Concerned that public perception has been unfairly skewed, the American Beverage Association (ABA), an industry trade group, recently published two statements intended to reinforce its view that energy drinks are safe and not marketed to children.

Apple & Eve Acquires The Switch Beverage Co.

Apple & Eve, the largest privately held juice company in the U.S., today announced that it has acquired The Switch Beverage Co., which markets a line of sparkling 100 percent juice drinks and holds a strong presence in U.S. schools.

Review: Bai5 Tanzania Lemonade Tea

With each new variety that Bai adds to its Bai5 line of coffeefruit-infused drinks, the flavor has gotten better and better. Bai's latest introduction, Tanzania Lemonade Tea, is no exception, with the stevia and erythritol providing a level of sweetness that is about as sugar-like as we’ve seen from any drink that has used these sweeteners.

Essentia Raises $3.2 Million in Convertible Debt; Projects $22-23 Million in 2014 Sales

Having recently announced its tenth consecutive year of growth, eight of which reached double-digits, Essentia is positioning itself for a booming 2014 -- and well beyond. Earlier this year, Essentia, the top-selling enhanced water brand in the natural channel, raised $3.2 million in convertible debt and is perhaps prepping for a much larger round of funding later this year.

F.A.S.T. Money: ZICO’s Rampolla Invests in New Shot Brand

First Aid Shot Therapy (F.A.S.T.), a brand of condition-specific shots that are designed to offer liquid versions of over-the-counter remedies, is launching in Boston behind a second round of funding, one that included a very familiar name in these parts.

BevNET FBU Boston Adds New Speakers, Sampling Opportunities, Networking and Cocktails

BevNET’s upcoming FBU Boston conference, which is a one-day business education and networking event, has added new speakers and features that are designed to put CPG entrepreneurs in position to find growth opportunities – and succeed when those opportunities arise. New speakers include Pete Lescoe, founder of Food Should Taste Good, Clayton Christopher, founder of Sweet Leaf Tea and Deep Eddy Vodka, and Kim Greenfield, the founder of Campo Verde Solutions.

Review: Whey Coco

Marketed as "Nature's Recovery Fuel," Whey Coco is a powdered coconut water based-protein drink that contains 15g of protein per serving. The product combines whey protein isolate, freeze-dried coconut water, cocoa, evaporated cane juice, non-fat milk powder, natural flavor and monk fruit extract. Although the product's target consumers are fitness buffs and active individuals, the blend is so enjoyable that we could see ourselves consuming it simply for the taste alone.

Whynatte Selected as Part of New Food and Beverage Accelerator Program

Whynatte, an Atlanta-based start-up that produces a line of premium coffee beverages and mixers, has been selected as one of four companies to take part in an accelerated growth program launched by AccelFoods, a new food and beverage accelerator with a dedicated investment fund of $4 million.

Distribution Roundup: Big Geyser Signs blk., Reed’s Heads to Airports

Used to be that if your water was black, you had to call a mechanic. These days, black water could soon be trendy. At least, that’s the hope of Big Geyser, a renowned non-alcoholic beverage distributor in New York, which on Tuesday announced that it will distribute blk. Beverages, an Oakland, N.J.-based company that markets a fulvic acid-enhanced mineral water colored black.

Review: Califia Farms Protein Almondmilk

Introduced at the recently held Winter Fancy Food Show, Califia Farms’ Protein Almondmilk is one of the company’s more unique offerings, starting with the fact that it contains added milk…

Multi-Layered Strategy Catalyzes Celsius

In the past few years, Celsius CEO Gerry David and lead investor Carl DeSantis have sharpened the company’s strategy by focusing on sales of its single-serve cans, six specific U.S. markets, international sales and digital marketing. Results from the company’s fourth-quarter earnings report indicate that the multi-layered strategy continues to catalyze a brand not far removed from a nosedive.