Technology
Liquid Death is just one of many VC-backed beverage startups poised to disrupt the Coca-Cola and Pepsi market

March 11 carbonated the startup announced that it had raised $67 million at a valuation of $1.4 billion and had sales of $263 million in 2023. Did you guess that this startup is Liquid Death, a canned water company?
Liquid Death has now raised over $267 million in enterprise funding, despite being in a category that does not interest many investors. Beverages is a difficult industry for VCs since it is capital-intensive; requires a knack for choosing firms that may sell well on retail shelves or otherwise directly to the consumer; and inspires regular customers, not just once.
Science Ventures managing director Michael Jones told TechCrunch that his company is not focused on venturing into the beverage sector but supports Liquid Death because of its potential to disrupt legacy players like Pepsi and Coca-Cola.
“We were in the market for culturally relevant companies with better-for-you products that were redefining a tired and old category,” Jones said. His investment team hailed Liquid Death as an “extremely disruptive brand.”
Cutting the mousse
Some of these recent venture-backed beverage startups are hoping to upend the industry by creating recent beverage categories. This is often reminiscent of what tech firms do, said Dan Buckstaff, chief marketing officer at retail data firm Spins.
“You might think you can’t squeeze another category in here, and instead you approach it differently,” Buckstaff said. “You take inspiration from others, or maybe there’s new technology that allows you to do that, or data that actually leads to companies that can generate hundreds of millions in ARR.”
He said Liquid Death drew on beer marketing and shelf placement to achieve success not only on food market shelves, but additionally at events, in bars and restaurants and even at conferences. (Liquid Death declined to comment). In fact, at the recent Expo West consumer goods conference, Buckstaff hosted the Liquid Death event and his room looked like “we were at a real party.”
He took part in an off-the-cuff survey that asked participants how often they ordered beer or wine to appear sociable. Half of them said yes. This made him realize how huge the market may very well be for firms like Liquid Death, whose brand names and packaging are inspired by alcohol but provide a healthier alternative.
“For these people, non-alcoholic brands are well positioned for this and have great potential,” Buckstaff said. “And not only at social events, but just at home – people relax and drink beer. Instead, there are now many alternatives that contain mood-enhancing or relaxing agents.”
Not Beer is one of those taking a nod from these early firms. Founder Dillon Dandurand is launching a brand new company that may launch a brand of premium sparkling water on April 9. He said his brand was created with consumers selecting to drink less alcohol in mind.
“Gen Z is drinking less than any generation before them,” he said. “These people still want to have an excellent time, but they realize they haven’t got to drink alcohol to have an excellent time, and they haven’t got to drink that much alcohol to have an excellent time. In fact, getting a pleasant buzz but not getting wasted is probably more enjoyable.
However, resisting the noise could be difficult. Consumers care about two features that, according to Dandurand, give a brand a likelihood to stand out from the competition: taste and brand.
With so many options, brands need to communicate why their drink is higher than an identical drink in a given category, in addition to explain why a specific drink is higher than a drink in one other category.
“It’s an uphill battle,” Dandurand said.
Who else jumps out?
Water is not the only category attracting startups and VC funds, often from celebrity angel investors. Drinks containing vitamins, minerals, supplements and plant ingredients are also extremely popular.
For example, firms like Odyssey, which raised $6 million in enterprise capital in February from a bunch of investors that features Richard Laver of Rocket Beverage Group. The company adds lion’s mane and cordyceps mushrooms, known for his or her cognitive clarity and increased energy effects, to their drinks.
Other beverage startups attracting VC dollars include better-for-you soda startups like Olipop (backed by Finn Capital Partners, Melitas Ventures and celebrity angels like Camila Cabello) and Poppi, backed by Electric Feel Ventures, partners and Rocana Ventures angels. Each has raised greater than $50 million in enterprise funding. Healthy lemonade alternative Lemon Perfect has raised greater than $70 million in money from an extended list of VC firms, athletes and celebrities like Beyoncé.
Poppi – which has CAVU Consumer Partners and a roster of celebrity investors corresponding to Chainsmokers’ Russell Westbrook, Olivia Munn and Nicole Scherzinger – has captured about 19% of the drinks market since launching about 4 years ago. Forbes reports i.e. 1.5x greater than Coca-Cola. It also became the eleventh fastest-growing beverage brand last month, beating out brands corresponding to Monster Energy, Gatorade and Liquid Death.
The brand is successful by “marketing strategically to become part of the culture, with an active and loyal following” and “filling a gap in the industry by providing a delicious, better-for-you option,” Poppi CEO Chris Hall told TechCrunch via email.
VCs are chasing some of the category’s hit phrases. Coca-Cola bought celebrity-sponsored coconut water BodyArmor for $5.6 billion in 2021. BodyArmor raised $36 million in enterprise capital. In 2016, Bai, a maker of antioxidant drinks, sold the company to Dr Pepper Snapple Group for $1.7 billion after raising just over $10 million in enterprise capital. There are also smaller transactions. In April 2023, NextFoods acquired tart cherry drink Cheribundi for an undisclosed amount following a $15 million investment round in 2020 led by Emil Capital Partners, Food diving reported.
While these startups make great acquisition targets because legacy firms often prefer to buy somewhat than develop their very own recent products, some can do well in the public market, said Alex Malamatinas, founder and managing partner at food and beverage-focused Melitas Ventures.
“Of course, what is happening in technology and artificial intelligence is amazing, (but) at the end of the day everyone has to eat and drink every day, these are very large markets with significant TAM,” Malamatinas said. “Despite everything that’s going on, Monster beverage stocks are the best performers, not technology stocks.”
That’s a bit of hyperbole. Over the last 12 months, Monster is up about 16% to reach a good market capitalization of $63 billion, while the most respected firms in the world are Microsoft, Apple and Nvidia, each price multi-trillions of dollars. However, the statement that its market capitalization is higher than many tech firms is correct. For example, only 7 out of 100 firms on Bessemer Cloud Index are more beneficial.
A brand new innovation cycle for beverages
Buckstaff also noted that the largest food industry trade show, Expo West, is booming with more recent exhibitors. “This leads me to believe that we may have entered a new cycle of innovation,” he said.
Jeff Klineman, editor-in-chief of food and beverage media company BevNET, definitely thinks so. Beverage startups remain resilient despite a tougher fundraising market is a story of “haves and have-nots,” Klineman told TechCrunch by email.
“Over the past few years, funds have had more difficulty raising funds, strategic departments have put acquisition plans on hold and lending has been tighter,” Klineman said. “CPG funds are being implemented more slowly, and there is more competition for brands that are actually growing and doing well.”
However, beverage startups are also struggling to raise funds in the VC touch environment. For those that have not hit the “sweet spot” of repeat purchasers, who don’t see the channel growing or who show a path to profitability, the market is tough, Klineman said.
For investors, determining which brands will endure and that are simply fads is difficult, Malamatinas said. He cited the CBD drink trend from a number of years ago, which briefly flared up but has since been much quieter. The company avoided them, he said, probably fortunately, as did studies on the effectiveness of low-dose CBD drinks mixed.
“There will be some important events in the coming years,” Malamatinas said. “I think the main reason people are afraid of this space is that it requires a certain level of expertise. We have experienced operators. There is a certain level of knowledge and skill that allows these businesses to scale.”
For investors willing to put in the work and time to find brands that last, this category is likely to yield strong returns. It worked with Bai. Olipop and Liquid Death seem to be on the right track. Now let’s examine who will likely be next.
Technology
Automacers jump on the misfortunes of the Tesla brand with EV discounts offers

Tesla trade in the USA all the time high When some owners are disenchanted with the policy of Elon Musk, and a few just wish to avoid their automobile, which is crucial by musk haters.
Automaks throw themselves at such a possibility.
Polestar, Lucid Motors, Volvo and Ford – which has long been lasted by Tesla on EV sales – took advantage of the throw against the brand, issuing bonuses and conquest incentives, which undermine the loyalty of the buyer’s brand.
Shortly after Polestar began to supply a reduction of $ 5,000, the sales head of the manufacturer’s manufacturer Jordan Hofmann said that the bonus was already a hit.
“Some of the highest days at Polestar 3 appeared this week, and the response to our offer conquest Tesla was amazing” is LinkedIn.
Most offers don’t require the buyers to truly mention their Teslas to qualify, although Joseph Yoon, a consumer analyst at Edmund, claims that the trend actually indicates EV owners who switch because of the recent devaluation of the manufacturer’s brand.
The use of his wealth by Musk to assist select Donald Trump as office, and his subsequent takeover of the federal government by Doge led many to a colleague with a controversial billionaire. The protest movement referred to as Tesla Zabornik spread throughout the world. Meanwhile, there was a rise in the vandalism of Tesla’s property and vehicles. More violent attacks, which included arson, suffered the anger of President Trump, who swore to treat such incidents as “internal terrorism.”
Regardless of whether the owner of Tesla is on the side of the protesters or simply doesn’t want someone to spray the swastika on his automobile, Yoon said that the buyers are able to get rid of their vehicles.
“What this kind of conquest bonus programs is awaiting is that these guys intend to (trade their teslas). What if we make it a little sweeter and make sure that they come to us instead of a competitor?” Yoon said.
On the side of producers Sean Tucker, the most important editor at Kelley Blue Book, told Techcrunch that industrial economics is currently different because of the unique situation of Tesla.
“Usually, when the dealer undertakes trade or simply placed it in their own website and sell it, or in some cases they sell it to an auction company, which will sell it to another dealer. Sometimes they bear a small loss, but on the normal market they can avoid it,” said Tucker. “It really differs from Tesla, because it is so difficult to fix the price of resale of Tesla in an environment where their public image changes so quickly.”
Tucker noticed that smaller brands, similar to Polestar and Lucid, are willing to lose in trade to remove Tesla from the road and put one of their vehicles on the road.
And Yoon said that two meaningful is sensible that two EV manufacturers should direct their marketing towards their most important competition.
Early indicators show that musk political activities have a negative impact on the sale of latest cars. It is unclear whether these incentives and trade discounts will think in the EV market.
The consequences of the latest Trump automotive tariffs can moreover complicate the results, because buyers are in search of vehicles with lower costs.
“The big edge of Tesla is that its most popular vehicles are produced here and very few imported parts,” said Yoon. “Many of these new EVs have many foreign acquisition in their parts and production. So who knows how it will work out?”
Tesla alternative options
Polestar began to supply special Discount price USD 5000 For Tesla drivers who wish to rent a brand new crossover by Polestar 3 in February. This agreement, in addition to one other USD 15,000 for pure incentives of vehicles for consumers who rent, can bring Tesla owners a complete of 20,000 USD discounts for a 2025 EV model yr.
Conscious engines have also begun Offering Tesla owners as much as USD 4000 in discounts when buying Lucid Air Sedan 2025-2000 USD for getting a automobile and one other $ 2,000 in the event you replace the current Tesla. Lucid will even sweeten the contract by taking one other 1000 USD to vehicles available in the Sales Studio Location at the time of order.
Both Polestar and Lucid say that buyers must take delivery before April 30.
In mid -March, Volvo launched its own nationwide encouragement, offering to customers who currently have or lease Tesla with a 1000 USD bonus for the purchase or fully electric Volvo in 2024 or any 2025 or 2025.5 (refreshment in the middle of the yr), in the event that they are delivered before the end of April. This signifies that buyers don’t even need to buy EV to make use of this contract. The only model 2025.5, which Volvo currently has, is the hybrid SUV XC90 Plug-in.
Ford has just closed a $ 1000 discount for Tesla owners who switch to the latest Mustang Mach-E or F-150 lightning. The discount was available to buyers who took the delivery before April 2.
Ford spokesman told Techcrunch that the manufacturer has nothing to divide into ongoing or future encouragement.
(Tagstranslate) Elon Musk (T) EV (T) Lucid (T) Tesla (T) Volvo (T) Polestar
Technology
Space Solar Startup Aetherflux collects USD 50 million for the introduction of the first version of the spatial demo in 2026

Aetherflux, a start-up with a cosmic sunny founded by Baiju Bhatt, billionaire co-founder Robinhood, collected $ 50 million in the A series round, because it really works on the first demonstration of low land orbit in 2026.
The startup from San (*50*) in California, which got here out of Stealth in October last yr, goals to finally start the constellation of low soil orbit satellites, which might collect and transfer solar energy on to “ground stations” on Earth. This is an concept that was initially attributable to telling Isimov’s telling “reason”. Bhatt focuses on the transformation of this inspired science fiction concept into reality.
But firstly, Aetherflux must persuade the satellite to orbit to prove technology, “show that we have made transformal progress from people who do not have power from place to, for the first time, for the first time there is power from the place for people for the first time,” said Bhatt, founder and general director of the startup.
At least that is the goal next yr, which shall be supported by Fresh Capital Aetherflux. The round brings total Aetherflux funds to $ 60 million after Bhatt has invested $ 10 million in its own funds in the company. The round A round was led by the Ventures and Interlagos indexes, with the participation of groundbreaking energy projects of Bill Gates, Andreessen Horowitz and Nea, in addition to several other interesting names equivalent to Jared Leto.
Bhatt, who joined us in the TechCrunch Equity podcast at the starting of this yr, told Techcrunch that Aetherflux would use funds to employ a bigger number of engineers and invest in technology and infrastructure needed for its first few missions.
“Our team is now focused primarily on building a load, which is located at the top of the bus … which has all the power generated by a satellite bus and turns it into laser energy,” said Bhatt.
Aetherflux uses Apex Space satellite bus. The satellite bus is the basic structure and satellite system that gives basic functions for its operation, equivalent to power, drive and communication. Most buses generate energy through solar panels, and Bhatt says that power – as much as a kilo of energy – shall be sent back to the ground.
After the receipt shall be “ground stations” Aetherflux, consisting of photovoltaic boards, which convert sunlight into energy stored in batteries for later use. Bhatt said that his team, which consists of engineers and researchers from NASA, Spacex, Lockheed Martin, Anduril and the American Navy, can be working on constructing the first Aetherflux ground station. The startup has no place for the station yet, but evaluates military sites where there may be more controlled airspace.
In the future, Bhatt claims that the goal is to construct small, portable ground stations – with a diameter of 5 to 10 meters – to introduce electricity to the most distant locations.
“We would like to demonstrate (with the first mission), it is to join the end,” said Bhatt. “We want to be able to show that we actually have electricity on Earth and use it to illuminate light installations or perform electronic items on Earth.”
Few achieved the feat of sending solar energy from space to earth. One of the only successful missions was in 2023, when scientists Caltech’s Space Solar Power Project The displayed wireless power transfer from low Earth’s orbit using microwave radiation. This has proved this idea, but it surely will not be in the state of Aetherflux for the scalable, industrial system.
Eetherflux increases falls at the back Prize From the Energy Health improvement fund of the Defense Department to develop cosmic solar energy for the US army.
(Tagstotransate) aetherflux
Technology
Spelman organizes the game Dżem to build a hbc gaming pipeline

The event took place from March 28 to 30 with Hackaton, workshops and network events.
Spelman College wants the game industry to be “E” for everybody. HBCU hosted the third annual game from games to encourage more black people to take part in creating video games.
When the world becomes much more digital, with an adult video game industry, Spelman wants black professionals to take places at the table. HBCU Jam hopes to encourage students with this lucrative profession path by constructing calls and supporting opportunities.
This yr the game It began completely by the team led by students by the senior computer science Major Major Denee Denee. Co -chairing older “Comp Sci”, Nia Brunson, an eight -person team used the Spelman innovation laborator as the seat of the conference.
“Innovation laboratory began so small and then it was an amazing space,” Brunson explained, “Now, with this new dedicated space, students have even more learning and creating opportunities. School and team deserve it, and I think they will do amazing things for Spelman and the entire HBCU community.”
Trope added: “I am a great supporter of jams and hackatons because they give you the opportunity to assess their skills and work on something you are really proud of.”
Event began From March 28 to 30, allowing many without experience as well as to the interest in games to proceed passion on this field. Game Jam began with the inaugural conference before the start of the 24-hour hackaton, wherein students met in teams to create their very own video games.
Brunson believes that this support could make everyone feel welcome in the gaming industry, no matter initial knowledge on this subject. The co -chairman also formatted the game to be sure that that the participants had enough time to work in Hackathon before workshops and network events.
“I love that playing jam welcomes people without the previous development of the game. Over 50% of our applicants are new in games,” said Brunson. “That is why we organize workshops on the creation of assets, the use of unity and ensuring mentoring – that everyone feels supported.”
Students from nine HBCu took part in evolution, and technological sponsors reminiscent of Zynga, Microsoft, Unity, Boeing and Codehouse are also joining the fun with prizes for participants. Although black professionals constitute only 5% of the workforce, which is confirmed by the International Association of Dewelopers, this initiative goals to solve this method gap without delay.
For Jaycee Holmes, a professor of interactive media and co -director Spelman Innovation Lab, Jam encourages enthusiasts of black games to know that these works are already waiting for them.
“We want them to realize what they are capable of and understand that there is a friendly game industry willing to their votes.”
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