The Zero Proof Lands Series A Investment As Strength Of Non-Alcoholic Sector Grows
Dry January might be winding down, but that doesn’t mean that the non-alcoholic movement is going anywhere.
In fact, it is growing year over year. The market for adult non-alcoholic beverages is currently $1.8 billion and is projected to be four percent of total alcohol volume by 2027, according to market researcher IWSR. Soon, shoppers can expect to see premium adult NA brands, like Saint Viviana, Oddbird, ISH, and Gnista, on the shelves of major supermarket chains, said entrepreneur Sean Goldsmith.
Atlanta is playing an outsized role in moving the national alcohol-free movement forward. The Zero Proof, an Atlanta-based and venture-backed adult non-alcoholic beverage brand, has grown both its physical store and its distribution network. It has bolstered up the US sector as the importer of top international, non-alcoholic brands from Europe and has created its own company-owned brands that today includes Saint Viviana and Lapo's, its line of Italian aperitivos and digestivos.
The Future Of Beverage
The Zero Proof is gaining traction with consumers and investors alike at the start of 2024.
The Zero Proof just closed a Series A round of funding, led by the US-based venture arm Asahi Group Beverages and participation from Atlanta-based Overline and Springdale Ventures.
While the financial details of the round were not disclosed, co-founder Goldsmith told Hypepotamus that the funding was important as the company looks for national distribution deals.
“We started the process with the specific goal of finding strategic investors that can help us grow distribution for our beverages around the country. And we found that with our new investors, Asahi Group Beverages & Innovation and Springdale Ventures. We ran a very deliberate and wide-ranging fundraise process, understanding the funding market isn't as robust as it was a couple years ago. But we ended up with an oversubscribed round, which speaks to the strength of the adult NA category and the incredible momentum we have at The Zero Proof,” Goldsmith said.
Asahi Group Beverages is a newly-launched investment fund that got off the ground in 2023. It specifically invests in the growth of non or low-alcohol brands.
Goldsmith said that the funding will help The Zero Proof expand its national sales team, and “increase pull through on retail shelves” across the US.
If you are interested in exploring non-alcoholic beverages, Goldsmith suggests checking out dealcoholized wines, which have become a fan favorite with customers. You can head over to The Zero Proof’s website to shop the company’s full list of unique brand options.
