MAY 22, 2016

Hacking Hydration: 10 Early-Stage Healthy Beverage Startups To Watch

From kombucha to pH-balanced water and pea milk, these startups are promoting their unique ingredients and innovative processing methods.

US soda consumption hit a 30-year-low last year according to Beverage Digest’s annual report, and we’ve noticed a series of recent investments into healthy beverage startups flowing in to fill the gap.

Using our CB Insights Mosaic algorithm, a predictive tool that tracks the health of private companies, we put together a list of early-stage beverage startups with high momentum and recent funding rounds. None has raised beyond a Series B, and all have raised since 2014.

All these high-momentum startups focus on healthy beverages, and many include unique ingredients such as pea protein, kombucha, or ginseng. Scroll down to view the full list.

1. Ripple

 

Ripple Foods produces dairy-free, high-protein, plant-based milk. Based on pea protein, Ripple claims to offer the same amount of protein as dairy milk with only half the sugar, less saturated fat, and more calcium and vitamin D (comparison data from the USDA). It is gluten-free, nut-free, and vegan, and comes in several flavors.

Whole Foods is rolling out Ripple in stores throughout April and May 2016, followed by Target in July.

Total disclosed funding: $13.6M

Last round raised: Series A

Select Investors: Prelude Ventures, Khosla Ventures, Blueberry Ventures, Eagle Cliff Partners

2. Juicero

Juicero produces an at-home cold-press juicing machine, along with organic produce packs that fit into the machine for juicing. Juicero’s packs contain no additives or preservatives, and the company says its produce-chopping patterns yield maximum juice. Juicero is currently rolling out in California.

Total disclosed funding: $100M

Last round raised: Series B

Select Investors: Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Thrive Capital, Two Sigma Ventures, Campbell Soup Company, Acre Ventures, Artis Ventures, First Beverage Group, Google Ventures

3. Health-Ade

Health-Ade sells kombucha — sweet, fermented tea containing probiotics — in nine flavors. The company ferments and bottles its beverages in all glass, no plastic, and says it brews  in small batches. Health-Ade is organic, dairy-free, gluten-free, and non-GMO.

Total disclosed funding: $15M

Last round raised: Series B

Select Investors: CAVU Ventures, First Beverage Group

4. Core Natural

Core says it uses a proprietary filtration processes to create water with a pH level that Core says suits human bodies’ natural balance. Core also sells organic, low-calories fruit beverages with antioxidants.

Total disclosed funding: $27M

Last round raised: Series B

Select Investors: 7-Ventures

5. Spindrift

 Spindrift makes seltzers and sodas with real fruit juice and no added sugar.

Total disclosed funding: $12M

Last round raised: Series A

Select Investors: New Ground Ventures, RiverPark Ventures, Revelry Brands, Prolog Ventures, Warbros Venture Partners

6. Kill Cliff

Kill Cliff sells sports recovery drinks alongside protein bars and canned cold brew coffee. Its drinks are low-calorie and include vitamins, ginseng, green tea extract, and enzymes aimed at post-workout use. Kill Cliff was founded by a Navy SEAL and offers special deals to military members, though it mainly distributes through gyms.

Total disclosed funding: $11M

Last round raised: Series B

Select Investors: Sherbrooke Capital

7. ASPIRE Beverage

 Aspire makes healthy sports drinks with no refined sugar or high-fructose corn syrup. Aspire is sweetened with cane sugar, and is gluten-free and lower-calorie than other mass market sports drinks.

Total disclosed funding: $10M

Last round raised: Series A

Select Investors: InnoVentures Capital Partners

8. WTRMLN WTR (World Waters)

 WTRMLN WTR produces cold-pressed juice from “discarded melons,” rejected by stores due to visual blemishes. The company aims to reduce food waste while creating a drink with high levels of vitamins and electrolytes but low sugar. Beyonce drew the company publicity when she invested in May 2016.

Total disclosed funding: $7M

Last round raised: Angel

Select Investors: CAVU Ventures, Beyonce Knowles

9. Fred Beverages

Fred sells water in flask-shaped bottles that better fit the shape of people’s pockets and that can be refilled and recycled. Its water is sourced in the US and claims good taste based on a neutral pH and low minerality.

Total disclosed funding: $5M

Last round raised: Series B

Select Investors: Tudor Ventures

10. Sipp

Sipp produces organic craft sodas designed for use in cocktails, with flavors such as ginger blossom and summer pear.

Total disclosed funding: $1M

Last round raised: Series A

Select Investors: Emil Capital Partners