CircleUp Raises $14 Million for Brand Crowdfunding Platform

Equity crowdfunding platform CircleUp has raised $14 million in a new round of financing, the company announced today. The company, which attempts to enable entrepreneurs to reach qualified investors online to initiate or complete fund-raising rounds, says it has helped more than 30 companies raise over $30 million in growth capital, mostly in the consumer products space.

BevNET FBU Boston: FREE Live Video Stream Announced

We’re just one day away from BevNET FBU Boston and excited to announce the addition of a free video stream of the event! Broadcast live from the Artists for Humanity EpiCenter in Boston, the video stream will feature every presentation and panel from the one-day business education and networking event.

Review: Garden of Flavor

Cleveland-based Garden of Flavor produces a line of cold-pressed juices and juice cleanses and recently introduced three new juice varieties that contain added probiotics. While we think the company has done quite well with the formulation of the juices, we do think that the labels could be improved upon as some consumers might be confused as to which varieties contain added probiotics and which do not.

Expo West 2014: Nistico, McClafferty Back in the Saddle Again

Splash, which is operating as a wide-ranging turnkey sales operation, is being run by original Marley CEO Robert Nistico and Kevin McClafferty, who succeeded Nistico in that position. Also on board is Chief Marketing Officer Lee Brody, Marley’s former global director of marketing.

Video: Expo West 2014 Profile — Baagua

In the embedded video, which was filmed at Natural Products Expo West 2014, Baagua founder and CEO Dale Starnes said that the inclusion of whole-piece ingredients was “a happy accident.” It started as a practice of efficiency.

BevNET Announces Call for Entries to its Inaugural Craft Spirits and Mixers Guide

BevNET is now accepting submissions for its first Craft Spirits and Mixers Guide. Amid a booming market for artisanal and hand-crafted spirits, the new guide will be a key resource for retailers and distributors who are looking to meet rising consumer demand with new and innovative offerings. The guide will also be a great opportunity for service and supplier companies who work with craft distillers and mixer companies as a way to promote and showcase their products.

Chasing Coconut Water

The triumphant push of coconut water has influenced mainstream consumers to think about water in different terms and paved the way for the next tier of coconut water brands, such as Harmless Harvest and Zola. At Natural Products Expo West 2014 in Anaheim, Calif., yet another tier seemed to be taking shape. But it wasn’t coconut water; it was an amalgam of offbeat water brands. We had maple water, birch tree water and barley water. We had cactus water, olive water and even artichoke water.

Video: Expo West 2014 – Sweet Leaf Tea Co-Founder Gets into Coffee Biz with High Brew

In an interview with BevNET CEO John Craven, David Smith said that High Brew would “attempt to reverse that trend” of sweet coffee products with a formulation that features a stronger coffee flavor than competing brands along with reduced sugar and calorie content, as compared to other coffee drinks.

Video: Expo West 2014 Profile — Omgblends

The luxury of eating well without putting in the time was once reserved for those able to finance a maid or butler. Now, replacement beverages are stepping up and Omgblends wants a piece of the pie, which already includes brands such as Suja and Sambazon.

Review: Uce Juice

UCE Juice Taro Twist is a 45 percent juice-based beverage that is enhanced with caffeine and sweetened with fruit juices and stevia. All in all, it’s a decent tasting juice cocktail product that is probably best described as caffeinated fruit punch. Unfortunately, however, the branding has us somewhat confused as to what this product is and where it fits in the market

Kobe Bryant Invests in BodyArmor, Becomes Third-Largest Shareholder

The NBA’s Black Mamba may be winding down his basketball career, but when it comes to the beverage business, Kobe Bryant is just getting started. In an interview with ESPN’s Darren Rovell, Bryant revealed that he has made a multi-million dollar investment in BodyArmor, the functional sports drink brand launched by FUZE founder Lance Collins and helmed by Mike Repole, the co-founder of Vitaminwater.

Review: Suja Bliss

Suja Bliss is the most recent addition to the company's “Classic” line of high pressure processed juices. This particular blend is a bit of a departure from the other products in the line, starting with the fact that it is made with banana and a slightly thicker body that’s closer in style to a smoothie than a juice.