mix1 Beverage Co., Boulder, Colo., has closed its first round of institutional funding with a $6 million investment from the Highland Consumer Fund, the company announced. The company says the funding will be used to accelerate its national rollout. Funds will be used to hire additional staff, provide more marketing support in key regions, and enable further investments in product development and innovation.

The company says its distribution grew to 4,000 retail locations in 2008, and it expects to reach 12,000 by the end of this year.