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§ Private Profile · Austin, TX, USA
Poppi is a technology company.
Poppi has raised $39.0M across 2 funding rounds.
Key people at Poppi.
Poppi has raised $39.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Poppi manufactures prebiotic sodas, offering a modern, health-conscious alternative in the beverage market. Its core products blend fruit juice, sparkling water, and apple cider vinegar, formulated to support gut health. The company focuses on crafting flavorful, sparkling drinks that serve as a beneficial alternative to traditional sugary sodas.
Founded by Allison Ellsworth and Stephen Ellsworth, Poppi emerged from Allison's 2015 quest for a soda alternative that tasted good but felt better. Her experiments with apple cider vinegar led to their initial "Mother Beverage" concept in 2016. Following a successful appearance on Shark Tank in 2018, the brand evolved, relaunching as Poppi in 2020.
Poppi targets consumers prioritizing health and seeking enjoyable, functional beverages. The product appeals to individuals replacing traditional sodas with options that support digestive wellness. Poppi envisions itself as a leading brand in the functional beverage market, aiming to make a healthier, refreshing soda experience widely accessible.
# Poppi: A Beverage Company, Not a Technology Company
Poppi is not a technology company—it is a beverage manufacturer specializing in prebiotic sodas. The premise of your query contains an inaccuracy that should be clarified before proceeding with analysis.
Poppi is a functional beverage brand that produces carbonated soda alternatives designed for health-conscious consumers[1]. Founded in 2015 (originally as Mother Beverage) and officially launched as Poppi in 2020, the company creates modern sodas combining 5g of sugar, plant-based ingredients, and prebiotics to deliver the taste of traditional soda without excess calories[4][5].
The company serves consumers seeking healthier soda alternatives and is distributed nationwide through major retailers including Target, Kroger, Whole Foods Market, Costco, and Amazon[5]. Poppi's growth trajectory culminated in a $1.95 billion acquisition by PepsiCo in March 2025, marking one of the largest exits in consumer packaged goods history[1][2].
Poppi was created by Allison Ellsworth, who began experimenting with a prebiotic soda recipe in her Dallas kitchen[4]. She mixed fruit juices with prebiotics and sparkling water, then tested early versions at farmers markets across Texas, where she encountered immediate consumer enthusiasm[2]. A Whole Foods buyer who sampled her product at a farmers market recognized its potential[4].
The pivotal moment came in 2018 when Allison and her husband Stephen pitched the brand on *Shark Tank*, securing investment and validation from investor Rohan Oza (known as "The Brandfather")[4]. Following this deal and a strategic rebrand, Poppi officially launched in 2020 and rapidly scaled from a local Texas upstart to national distribution[2][4].
Poppi exemplifies the functional beverage trend—a shift away from traditional sugary sodas toward drinks offering health benefits. The company rode the wave of consumer demand for better-for-you alternatives while maintaining the sensory appeal of carbonated soda[1][2]. Its success validated the prebiotic soda category and demonstrated that premium positioning and authentic brand storytelling could command significant valuations in the CPG space.
The brand's acquisition by PepsiCo signals that legacy beverage companies recognize functional sodas as essential to their future portfolios, particularly for reaching younger, health-conscious demographics[2].
Poppi's $1.95 billion valuation reflects not just its revenue performance but its cultural impact—the brand successfully repositioned soda as a category that could be both indulgent and functional. Under PepsiCo ownership, Poppi will likely benefit from expanded distribution, manufacturing scale, and marketing resources while maintaining its independent brand identity.
The company's trajectory suggests that the functional beverage market will continue consolidating around premium, mission-driven brands that authentically address consumer health concerns rather than relying solely on traditional marketing.
Poppi has raised $39.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $25.0M Other Equity in December 2022.
Poppi has raised $39.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Poppi's investors include Rohan Oza, 01 Advisors, 7BC Venture Capital, Kevin Hartz, Acrew Capital, AIX Ventures, Animal Capital, Aurora Forge, Bain Capital Ventures, Big Idea Ventures, Bono, Casa Verde Capital.
Key people at Poppi.
