Rowdy Mermaid Kombucha Completes $3.5 Million Series A Funding Round
February 18, 2019
Funding supports expansion into western regions, new products and
re-investment into same-store sales
BOULDER, Colo.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Rowdy
Mermaid Kombucha, a Boulder-based beverage company producing crisp
and refreshing, function-forward drinks handcrafted with snowmelt and
inspired by the local Colorado wildscape, today announced that it has
completed its Series A funding with proceeds totaling $3.5 million.
Since its origins in 2013, Rowdy Mermaid Kombucha has become the second
fastest selling locally-brewed kombucha in the Rocky Mountain region,
experiencing year-over-year growth of more than 100 percent. Made by
reinventing the wheel on a 2000 year old process, Rowdy Mermaid Kombucha
introduces a low-sugar, plant-infused, functional kombucha to the market
that isn’t sour or overly sweet. Each sustainable brew is made with
ethically-sourced, regenerative organics and undergoes in-house DNA
testing to ensure safety and consistency. From the adaptogenic woody
essence of antioxidant-rich chaga mushroom in Living
Ginger to the fresh turmeric and synthesis of healing herbs in the
digestive Rowdy
Belly, Rowdy Mermaid Kombucha has earned the respect from kombucha
traditionalists and newcomers alike.
The round was led by KarpReilly,
a Greenwich-based private investment firm with a portfolio of emerging
brands in the consumer sector, with notable food, beverage and natural
products including: Spindrift, LIFEAID Beverage Co., KeVita, Zola
Coconut Water, and ICONIC Protein. Other investors include consumer
packaged goods (CPG) heavyweights Justin Gold (founder of Justin’s)
and Brendan Synnott (co-founder of Bear
Naked, EVOL
Foods).
“We love Rowdy Mermaid Kombucha because its function-forward and
science-based approach to kombucha stands out in a fast-growing
industry,” said Allan Karp, co-founder of KarpReilly. “We are confident
in the tremendous amount of momentum Jamba and his team have received
over the past several years in the Rocky Mountain region and we believe
the organic harmony between our teams will compel a thoughtful growth
strategy moving forward.”
The Series A will accelerate company growth initiatives by including
broader western sales expansion in conventional and on-the-go channels,
a new package and design, and research and development of
environmentally friendly cans and multi-packs.
“This financing allows the Rowdy Mermaid team the opportunity to grow
our company and our product line with integrity,” said Jamba Dunn,
founder and CEO of Rowdy Mermaid Kombucha. “We believe functional health
extends to the environment we live in as well as ourselves. Which is why
a big initiative for 2019 will be a switch to clean supply chains and
sustainable packaging to increase our presence and offerings while being
mindful of environmental concerns – curbing production waste, extending
shelf life and increasing the functionality of the product.”
Rowdy Mermaid Kombucha’s brewing philosophy is based on the pure,
sustainable and seasonal ideal of new Nordic cuisine: brewing according
to the natural seasonality of fresh ingredients, crafting scalable small
batches and supporting a seasonal tap program. Rowdy Mermaid supports
wind energy and bottles in renewable glass packaging.
With the recent addition of 26 Gelson’s
Markets locations in SoCal, Rowdy Mermaid Kombucha’s products are
now in bottles and on tap throughout the Rocky Mountain Region,
Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, New
Mexico, Utah, Arizona, Texas, Nevada, Wyoming, and California at more
than 500 retail stores including partners Whole
Foods, Natural
Grocers and King
Soopers.
Rowdy Mermaid Kombucha will be present at both Natural
Products Expo West (March 5-9) in Anaheim, CA and KombuchaKon
(April 18-19) in Long Beach, CA, with a new, nootropic, function-forward
brew to be announced soon.
ABOUT ROWDY MERMAID KOMBUCHA
Rowdy Mermaid Kombucha combs
the planet in search of inspired and unusual ingredients, building our
flavors around the healthful benefits of fresh herbs, roots and flowers.
We pay homage to kombucha tradition by crafting ours with creativity and
passion. This is an art form, and we paint a picture with zesty ginger,
punchy pepperberry and balance the composition with smooth, earthy
chaga. We are proudly based in Boulder, Colorado. For more information
on where to buy our kombucha, please visit us at rowdymermaid.com
or follow the mermaids and mermen on Facebook,
Instagram
and Twitter.
Contacts
Jeremy Ertl
Lola Red
612.333.1723