Beverage-alcohol private-equity investor InvestBev has backed US non-alcoholic brand and marketplace Sèchey.
Financial details were not disclosed.
The investment will “enhance” the no- and low-alcoholic drinks business’ “market presence and innovation in the non-alcoholic beverage space”, according to a statement.
Sèchey will expand its product line, as well as “improve distribution channels and elevate marketing efforts to reach a wider audience”. Its flagship store is located in Charleston, South Carolina, where it sells its own brand non-alcoholic wines alongside several other no and low brands.
“We are thrilled to support Sèchey in their mission to redefine the non-alcoholic beverage industry. Emily [Heintz]’s commitment to quality and innovation aligns perfectly with our vision at InvestBev,” Brian Rosen, InvestBev's founder and general partner, said.
“We believe that with our industry expertise and strategic resources, Sèchey will continue to set new standards and achieve remarkable growth.”
The investment marks InvestBev’s first into the non-alcoholic sphere, calling it a “significant step in the firm’s strategy to diversify its portfolio and support innovative brands across the adult beverage spectrum”.
“We are excited to partner with InvestBev, a firm with a deep understanding of the beverage industry and a track record of successful investments,” Heintz, Sèchey’s CEO and founder, said.
“This investment is a testament to the hard work of our team and the growth of the no alcohol category as more consumers gravitate towards healthier options. We look forward to leveraging InvestBev’s expertise to drive our next phase of growth.”
Earlier this year, InvestBev invested in hard kombucha brand JuneShine, putting “seven figures” into the business.
That investment in JuneShine followed InvestBev’s backing for rum brand Ten to One and US RTD supplier Thomas Ashbourne Craft Spirits the year before.
InvestBev is part of Growth Beverage, a US holding company that invests in and supports small- and medium-sized beverage-alcohol businesses.
Rosen’s oldest business – BevStrat – is a sales and marketing consultancy. Algoma Capital, Growth Beverage’s lending arm, provides distillers with support for working capital. A third element of Growth Beverage is Sprout Beverage, a start-up accelerator.
