Premium bottled water brand Icelandic Glacial announced today it had received new equity funding and appointed Swedish executive Johan Dennelind as its new Board Chairman.

The new capital encompasses existing investors along with a new “investment holding company based in Liechtenstein,” the company announced in a press release.

Along with the “substantial stake” taken by its new majority shareholder, the company’s founders and funds managed by Blackrock’s U.S. Private Credit team reinvested as the company converted loans and existing debt to fuel the water brand’s growth.

Icelandic Glacial’s new chairman, Johan Dennelind, previously worked in telecommunications serving as president and CEO of Nordic mobile and telephone company Telia as well as currently serving as CEO of du, a United Arab Emirates telecom company

“I am delighted to be joining Icelandic Glacial at this exciting point in its history,” Dennelind said. “The company has moved from start-up phase to proven brand and there is now the opportunity to extend sales of that brand around the world.”

Stay Tuned To BevNET For More On This Ice-Breaker

He bet big on Twitter, Netflix, and Kayak. Now it’s…no-additive tequila?

• Accomplished technology venture capitalist Todd Chaffee is banking on his Cierto Tequila’s additive-free liquid to help it stand out to conscious consumers in the growing segment of ultra tequila.
• Elevated Spirits, which launched in 2019, has brought on heavy hitters from the industry including a 21-year Diageo alumna as CEO, whose stints at the global spirit company include vice president of marketing for tequila. 
• Other recent high-end launches from beverage veterans are also aiming to distinguish themselves by promoting transparency or organic status. 
• Cierto is aiming to be a leader in the additive-free movement for tequila, a certification only 100 brands can claim to-date. 

The company also entered hundreds of spirits competitions, adding over 750 accolades to its liquid— but, literally, who’s counting?

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Coca-Cola is going international with BodyArmor for the first time in the brand’s history. Starting in January, BodyArmor and BodyArmor Lyte will be distributed throughout Canada.

• The new distribution includes eight SKUs with five from its flagship variety (Strawberry Banana, Fruit Punch, Orange Mango, Strawberry Grape and Tropical Punch) and three BodyArmor Lyte flavors (Peach Mango, Blueberry Pomegranate, Dragonfruit Berry).
• The partnership with The Coca-Cola Company and Coke Canada Bottling could be the beginning of a broader international expansion of the brand with BodyArmor CEO Federico Muyshondt saying “we know the power of our brand and are confident that this will be just the start of our expansion to new countries and consumers all around the globe.”

Go Deeper – Active Adaptation: Sports Drink Category Evolves To Meet New Consumers

After teasing last month that it was creating a Sports and Entertainment Advisory Board – made up of pro athletes, NFL and NCAA coaches and other celebrities – plant-based energy brand Yerbaé has announced its starting lineup.

• The board will be chaired by Yerbaé investor, former NFL player and QB Collective founder Richmond Flowers III.
• Other board members include San Francisco 49rs head coach Kyle Shanahan, USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley, Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, and Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
• Previously announced investor Annie Thorisdottir, a professional CrossFit champion, is also on the board.
• The announcement follows the brand’s Q2 earnings report which saw 122% year-over-year quarterly net revenue growth. The company also recently raised $4 million in the “first tranche” of a funding round in which many of the new advisory board members participated.

Wisconsin-based co-manufacturer DreamPak ceremonially began construction on its new 50,000 sq. ft. addition to its New Berlin, Wisconsin facility yesterday. The company has made private label and co-manufactured drink mixes, liquid creamers, shelf-stable meals and dietary supplements since 2000. The expansion will be the first to the production plant since DreamPak made it the company’s manufacturing headquarters nearly 10 years ago as it grew its liquid concentrate business. DreamPak plans to continue to expand in the area as the company aims to become “the go-to partner for our retail partners in several major center store categories,” CEO and president Dr. Aly Gamay said at the groundbreaking ceremony.

Several functional beverage startups, including Odyssey Mushroom Elixir, Genius Juice, Mitra9 and Cann-Ade have announced new distribution expansions.

• Odyssey is now available in 732 7-Eleven stores along the East Coast, as well as 109 Wegmans locations.
• Genius Juice launched its new Boost Shots nootropic shots into Erewhon stores in California.
• Kratom seltzer maker Mitra9 announced via LinkedIn it is now available in Hy-Vee locations.
• Hemp-based beverage Cann-Ade is now selling via Amazon.

Read the full roundup on BevNET.

Kids, meet your newest history teacher: Capri Sun. The beverage brand is looking to help students fight the post-summer blues by making education fun and engaging with a new FUNdamental “textbook”. 

• The new book features an engaging lesson on Slurpstory, detailing the stories of the greatest slurpers to have slurped – including Joan of Arc, Mozart and the legendary Jonathan (just some kid who can slurp). 
• Starting today, Slurpstory will be available online with no purchase necessary, while supplies last. For every book claimed, Kraft Heinz will donate $10 to First Book, a nonprofit organization working to remove barriers to education and level the playing field for kids in need. 

The news comes after Capri Sun last week launched a new advertising campaign with a hidden camera video of the brand selling its “Wireless Noise Cancelling Technology” in a consumer electronics store.

Serial entrepreneur Richard Laver chronicles his path from a 12-year-old child who survived a plane crash that killed 136 people, to being homeless at age 27, to the birth of his daughter and how she inspired the development of successful plant-based nutrition brand Kate Farms. He also discussed the launch of Lucky F*ck, his upstart “anti-brand” line of energy drinks, and how it's following in the footsteps of Liquid Death. Read the story.

This month, join us for a conversation with an angel investment group, explore DSD secrets that skyrocket case sales, and take a look at stand-out packaging designs from Expo East. All of September’s calls are free and open to the public – just register in advance and mark your calendar. Learn more.

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