RIOT Energy, an organic energy drink brand from Venice Calif., announced it secured a minority investment from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, Calif. Sierra Nevada will initially serve as an investor and will eventually produce and package RIOT Energy products at its new 85,000-square-foot facility, CanDo Innovation Center, which is slated to begin operations this summer.

Speakeasy Co., San Diego, an eCommerce platform for alcohol brands, has received funding for its third seed round, with $6.8 million raised. The funding was led by InvestBev, an investment firm in the industry, with a portfolio including Siempre Tequila and Fyllo.

Prebiotic soda brand Poppi, Austin, Texas, announced $25 million in new financing led by CAVU Consumer Partners. The funding comes after a year of meteoric growth for Poppi, in which the brand experienced 148% increase in overall revenue and a 250% increase in online sales, it says.

Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (KDP), Burlington, Mass., and Frisco, Texas, and Nutrabolt announced a strategic partnership, including a definitive agreement for a long-term sales and distribution arrangement that leverages KDP’s go-to-market capabilities and a equity investment that enables KDP to participate in the value creation upside expected to be created through the strategic partnership, the company says.

Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (KDP), Burlington, Mass., and Frisco, Texas, announced a minority stake in Athletic Brewing Co., a leading non-alcohol craft beer maker. The transaction represents KDP’s latest move into rapidly emerging beverage categories, following its acquisition of non-alcohol ready-to-drink cocktail brand Atypique.  

Since launching its Pre-Accelerator Programme in July 2021, Distill Ventures (DV), an independent drinks accelerator devoted to building and scaling the drinks brands of the future, has invested its initial goal of $5 million to entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities. Now, DV is announcing its aim to invest an additional $5 million in global funding committed by Diageo, DV’s sole funding partner, during the next year. 

Donae Burston, founder and CEO of La Fête Wine Co., Miami, announced that Chris Paul (CP3), Phoenix Suns point guard and 11-time NBA all-star, has joined the La Fête Wine Co. family as an equity partner. Founded in 2019 as a fresh, modern and inclusive wine brand geared toward drinkers of all backgrounds, Paul joins the company at a time of extraordinary growth, the company says.

Prebiotic soda brand Poppi, Dallas, announced a round of investment from some of pop culture’s most notable personalities. 

Constellation Brands Inc., Victor, N.Y., has acquired a minority stake in Dos Hombres, an artisanal and handcrafted mezcal brand created by “Breaking Bad” co-stars Aaron Paul and Bryan Cranston. The investment was made through Constellation’s venture capital group, and Dos Hombres remains independently owned and will continue to manage, market and produce its award-winning mezcals. 

When looking across various industries, representation among minority-owned brands remains low. Although this underrepresentation also affects the beverage industry, more companies are making an effort to reduce this gap through capital investments.