Hardware Podcasts

#155 - The Beverage Investors: Salle Jian, Alex Malamatinas, Brandon Yahn and Connor McKenna

The Startup CPG Podcast · 6 Aug 2024 · 55m · Episode 64

What this episode covers

Salle Jian of Diageo Ventures, Alex Malamatinas of Melitas Ventures, Brandon Yahn of Pernod Ricard’s Convivialité Ventures, and Connor McKenna of Pronghorn discuss investment trends in the non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beverage market. The panelists highlight the shift among Gen Z and millennials toward abstaining or drinking less, driving demand for functional drinks, gut health sodas, and premium mocktails. They share criteria for evaluating founders, emphasizing traction, healthy gross margins, authentic storytelling, and the importance of warm introductions over cold outreach. The episode concludes with rapid-fire pitches from founders of brands like Liquid Death, Kin Euphorics, and emerging startups seeking capital.

Most relevant to

large enterprises and early-stage companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Diageo Ventures, Melitas Ventures, Convivialité Ventures, Pronghorn, Distill Ventures, Pernod Ricard
Products
Seedlip, Kin Euphorics, Liquid Death, Ritual Zero Proof, Olipop, Sanzo

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