Poppi
Poppi is an Austin-based prebiotic soda company founded in 2015, selling better-for-you carbonated beverages with apple cider vinegar and prebiotic fiber across 35,000+ US retail locations and the UK. Acquired by PepsiCo in May 2025 for $1.95 billion, it now serves health-conscious Gen Z and Millennial consumers through mass retail, foodservice, and DTC channels.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersAustin, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Poppi does
Poppi is an Austin, Texas-based beverage company founded in 2015 by Allison and Stephen Ellsworth as 'Mother Beverage,' rebranding to Poppi in 2020. The company manufactures and sells prebiotic sodas formulated with sparkling water, fruit juices, prebiotic fiber (cassava root fiber and agave inulin), and apple cider vinegar, positioned as a better-for-you alternative to traditional carbonated soft drinks. Each product contains 5g sugar or less and 35 calories or less per serving, with a portfolio of 17+ flavor SKUs across core sodas, caffeinated variants (Alpine Blast, Doc Pop, Cherry Cola, Classic Cola), seasonal limited editions, and Lemonade. The product line is certified gluten-free (GFCO), Non-GMO Project Verified, and OU Kosher.
Poppi built its initial brand through TikTok-native marketing, with a single video accumulating 300 million views and generating $100,000 in overnight sales, before scaling to distribution across 35,000+ US retail locations including Target, Walmart, Whole Foods, Kroger, Costco, Amazon, Publix, Sprouts, Food Lion, and 7-Eleven, plus foodservice partnerships with Subway and Marcus Theatres. The company raised approximately $39 million across three disclosed funding rounds ($400K Shark Tank angel round in 2018, $25M undisclosed round in 2020, and $13.5M Series A in 2021 led by CAVU Ventures) before being acquired by PepsiCo in May 2025 for $1.95 billion (net $1.65B after tax benefits), with co-founder Allison Ellsworth remaining as Chief Brand Officer.
The go-to-market combines a product-led growth model anchored on TikTok virality and influencer marketing with broad retail distribution and selective premium media investment (three consecutive Super Bowl commercials). Revenue is generated through wholesale sales to retail and foodservice partners plus direct-to-consumer sales via drinkpoppi.com and Instacart, with no disclosed subscription model. Post-acquisition, Poppi launched its first international market (UK via Tesco and Pret through Carlsberg Britvic in March 2026) and expanded into adjacent lifestyle categories via collaborations with Beis (travel), HydroJug (drinkware), and Bubble Skincare, contributing approximately 7 percentage points to PepsiCo's North America beverage revenue growth in Q1 2026. The company faced an $8.9 million class action settlement over gut-health marketing claims, which constrained its UK packaging claims to comply with EU prebiotic substantiation requirements.
Poppi firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Poppi
- Legal name
- VNGR Beverage, LLC
- Website
- https://drinkpoppi.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Poppi is an Austin-based prebiotic soda company founded in 2015, selling better-for-you carbonated beverages with apple cider vinegar and prebiotic fiber across 35,000+ US retail locations and the UK. Acquired by PepsiCo in May 2025 for $1.95 billion, it now serves health-conscious Gen Z and Millennial consumers through mass retail, foodservice, and DTC channels.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Poppi industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Functional Beverages — Prebiotic Soda
- NAICS
- Soft Drink Manufacturing (312111)
- SIC
- Bottled & Canned Soft Drinks & Carbonated Waters (2086)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Vitamin- & Mineral-Fortified Beverage Production (AFAFAFAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Non-Carbonated Soft Drinks (Juice Drinks, Lemonades, Fruit Drinks) (CRADAHAB)
Keywords
Where Poppi is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Austin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Poppi business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations
Revenue model
- Consumer Product Sales: Poppi generates revenue through direct-to-consumer sales via its website (drinkpoppi.com) and wholesale distribution to major retail partners including Target, Walmart, Whole Foods, Kroger, Costco, Publix, 7-Eleven, Sprouts, Food Lion, and Amazon. The company sells prebiotic soda in multiple formats (single cans, variety packs) across 17+ flavors.
- Wholesale/Retail Distribution: Revenue from selling products to retail distributors and directly to retailers for resale to consumers. Products are available in refrigerated and shelf-stable formats across major US retailers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Single can purchases available for immediate consumption |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Multi-pack options for variety and savings |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels11 records
Marketing channels8 records
Poppi product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Poppi manufactures and sells canned prebiotic sparkling sodas combining sparkling water, fruit juices, prebiotics (cassava root fiber and agave inulin), and apple cider vinegar. Each can contains 5g sugar or less and 35 calories or less, and the portfolio spans 17+ flavor SKUs plus multiple variety packs and limited-time collaborations sold through grocery, mass, club, convenience, e-commerce, and food-service channels.
Product overview
Poppi is a prebiotic soda brand that manufactures and sells better-for-you carbonated beverages positioned as a modern alternative to traditional sodas. The core product line consists of over 17 distinct flavor varieties including Punch Pop, Shirley Temple, Orange Cream, Strawberry Lemon, Cream Soda, Ginger Lime, Alpine Blast (with caffeine), Doc Pop (with caffeine), Wild Berry, Lemon Lime, Root Beer, Orange, Cherry Cola, Raspberry Rose, Grape, Cherry Limeade, Watermelon, Classic Cola, and Lemonade. Each product contains prebiotics (from cassava root fiber and agave inulin), apple cider vinegar, 5g sugar or less, and 35 calories or less per serving. The portfolio also includes various variety packs (Bombshells, Major Mix, Fun Favorites, Crowd Pleasers, Soda Staples, Trend Setters, Short List, Classics) bundling multiple flavors. Poppi has expanded into collaborations including Bubble x Poppi lip serums, Beis x Poppi travel collection, and HydroJug x Poppi tumblers. The brand was acquired by PepsiCo in 2025 for $1.95 billion and operates as a subsidiary while maintaining its independent brand identity.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Punch Pop Limited-edition tropical fruit punch prebiotic soda with apple cider vinegar and 5g sugar.
- Shirley Temple Classic Shirley Temple mocktail-inspired flavor with sweet cherry and crisp citrus notes, 5g sugar or less, prebiotics, and apple cider vinegar.
- Orange Cream Smooth vanilla and zesty orange combination with prebiotics and apple cider vinegar.
- Strawberry Lemon Refreshing blend of ripe strawberry and crisp lemon with prebiotics, apple cider vinegar, and 5g sugar or less.
- Cream Soda Velvety vanilla cream soda taste with prebiotics and apple cider vinegar, lower in sugar than traditional cream soda.
- Ginger Lime Classic ginger and lime combination with ginger extract, prebiotics, and apple cider vinegar.
- Alpine Blast Energizing citrus flavor with 55mg natural caffeine, prebiotics, and apple cider vinegar.
- Doc Pop Doctor-inspired flavor with 40mg natural caffeine, prebiotics, and 5g sugar or less.
- Wild Berry Mixed berry flavor combining raspberry, blueberry, and strawberry with prebiotics and apple cider vinegar.
- Lemon Lime Bright citrus blend of lemon and lime with prebiotics, apple cider vinegar, and 5g sugar or less.
- Root Beer Classic root beer flavor with vanilla notes, prebiotics, and apple cider vinegar as a healthier alternative.
- Orange Classic orange soda reimagined with prebiotics and apple cider vinegar, delivering bold orange flavor with less sugar.
- Cherry Cola Lush tart cherry combined with crisp cola, with natural caffeine and prebiotics.
- Raspberry Rose Juicy raspberry and floral rose notes with prebiotics and apple cider vinegar.
- Grape Bold grape soda flavor with prebiotics and apple cider vinegar, 5g sugar or less.
- Cherry Limeade Sweet cherry and lime flavor with prebiotics and apple cider vinegar.
- Watermelon Juicy watermelon flavor with lime accent, prebiotics, and apple cider vinegar.
- Classic Cola Classic cola flavor with natural caffeine, prebiotics, and apple cider vinegar as a better-for-you alternative.
- Lemonade Crisp and refreshing canned lemonade with 5g sugar, prebiotics, and apple cider vinegar.
- Bombshells Variety Pack Summer variety pack featuring Lemon Lime, Orange Cream, Punch Pop, Strawberry Lemon, Wild Berry, and Lemonade flavors.
- Major Mix Variety Pack Variety pack featuring Shirley Temple, Cherry Cola, Root Beer, and Cream Soda flavors.
- Fun Favorites Variety Pack Five-flavor variety pack featuring Orange, Watermelon, Raspberry Rose, Ginger Lime, and Cherry Limeade.
- Crowd Pleasers Variety Pack Variety pack including Doc Pop and Grape for situations with mixed taste preferences.
- Soda Staples Variety Pack Variety pack of iconic cola and caffeinated flavors including Classic Cola and Alpine Blast.
- Trend Setters Variety Pack Variety pack of trending Poppi flavors for consumers wanting current on-trend selections.
- Short List Variety Pack Top-selling fruit flavors featuring the most popular fruit-based Poppi SKUs.
- Classics Variety Pack Variety pack of iconic cola-style flavors including Doc Pop, Root Beer, and Classic Cola.
Companies that use Poppi
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Poppi technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature3 records
Poppi partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- ITV Studios' Studio 55 (Love Island)flagshipTransatlantic partnership connecting Love Island (UK and USA) with Poppi including in-show integrations, U.S. retail activations, UK experiences, product placement in the Love Island villa, and limited-edition Punch Pop flavor. One of Studio 55's first major international licensing arrangements.
- Carlsberg BritviccorePepsiCo's UK bottling partner handling local production and distribution of Poppi in the UK market. Launched Poppi in Tesco stores nationwide on March 5, 2026.
- SubwayminorSubway expanded its drink menu nationwide with Poppi prebiotic sodas in Strawberry Lemon and Orange flavors, with a limited-time loyalty offer for a free drink with sandwich purchase. Connected to PepsiCo's exclusive U.S. beverage deal with Subway.
- TargetflagshipTarget launched exclusive brand collaborations including Poppi as part of back-to-school season featuring limited-edition collections. Poppi also partnered with Target for apparel collections including the first Target Apparel Collection in 2025.
- BéisminorLimited-edition collaboration collection featuring 13 travel and beach-ready pieces including rollers, totes, and accessories priced between $28-$378, with an immersive pop-up experience debuting during Miami Fashion Week.
- Bubble SkincareminorCollaboration launching limited-edition lip serums at Walmart inspired by Poppi beverage flavors (Strawberry Lemon, Grape, Root Beer), targeting Gen Z demographic with skincare and soda-inspired flavors.
- HydroJugminorTarget-exclusive HydroJug x Poppi Traveler Tumblers collection featuring 40-ounce insulated stainless steel tumblers with retro-inspired designs priced at $50 each.
- Marcus Theatresminor"Make Summer Pop" campaign featuring giveaways, limited-edition collectibles, special events, food and beverage promotions, and Poppi brand partnerships across 77 Marcus Theatres and Movie Tavern locations.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Poppi competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Liquid Death: Liquid Death is a disruptive bottled water and sparkling water brand with a similar countercultural, social-media-native marketing playbook targeting Gen Z and Millennial consumers alongside Poppi.
- Health-Ade Kombucha: Health-Ade is a leading kombucha and functional fermented beverage brand overlapping with Poppi in the gut-health functional beverage category, targeting similar health-conscious consumers with live-culture drinks.
- Spindrift: Spindrift is a sparkling water brand using real fruit ingredients that competes with Poppi in the better-for-you carbonated beverage aisle, sharing distribution channels and a clean-ingredient positioning.
- Alani Nu: Alani Nu is a fast-growing functional beverage brand with a strong Gen Z female following; it competes with Poppi for similar consumer occasions (low-calorie, functional, lifestyle-driven) and retail placement in convenience and grocery.
- Celsius: Celsius is a leading functional energy beverage brand that competes with Poppi for health-conscious Gen Z and Millennial share of stomach and overlapping retail shelf space in convenience and grocery channels.
Direct peers
- Olipop: Olipop is the closest direct competitor in the prebiotic soda category, offering similar sparkling beverages with prebiotic fiber, low sugar, and plant-based ingredients targeting health-conscious Gen Z and Millennial consumers.
- Culture Pop: Culture Pop is a direct competitor producing better-for-you sparkling sodas with probiotics and prebiotics, targeting the same functional beverage consumer seeking soda taste without excess sugar.
- Zevia: Zevia is a zero-calorie, naturally sweetened soda brand that competes with Poppi in the better-for-you soft drink category, sharing distribution across major US retailers and a similar health-conscious positioning.
Broad incumbents
- PepsiCo: PepsiCo is Poppi's parent company following the $1.95B 2025 acquisition and is a broad incumbent in non-alcoholic beverages (Pepsi, Mtn Dew, bubly, Propel), operating overlapping functional beverage brands within a much larger portfolio.
- Coca-Cola: Coca-Cola is the dominant incumbent in the US carbonated soft drinks market and a broad competitor to Poppi across mainstream retail, with growing functional beverage exposure (e.g., Simply, Fairlife) that increasingly overlaps with Poppi's positioning.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Poppi social profiles
Digital presencePoppi compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Poppi financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Poppi leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Poppi funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors5 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Poppi M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Poppi
What does Poppi do?
Poppi manufactures and sells canned prebiotic sparkling sodas combining sparkling water, fruit juices, prebiotics (cassava root fiber and agave inulin), and apple cider vinegar. Each can contains 5g sugar or less and 35 calories or less, and the portfolio spans 17+ flavor SKUs plus multiple variety packs and limited-time collaborations sold through grocery, mass, club, convenience, e-commerce, and food-service channels.
Is Poppi a public or private company?
Poppi is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was Poppi founded?
Poppi was founded in 2015. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Poppi based?
Poppi is headquartered in Austin, United States, in the North America region.
How does Poppi make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Consumer Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are wholesale/Retail Distribution.
Who are Poppi's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Liquid Death, Health-Ade Kombucha, Spindrift, Alani Nu and Celsius. Direct peers are Olipop, Culture Pop and Zevia. Broad incumbents are PepsiCo and Coca-Cola.
Does Poppi have an API?
No public API is recorded for Poppi.
What industry is Poppi in?
Poppi's product category is Functional Beverages — Prebiotic Soda. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAFAFAC, Vitamin- & Mineral-Fortified Beverage Production, with a secondary code of CRADAHAB, Non-Carbonated Soft Drinks (Juice Drinks, Lemonades, Fruit Drinks). Its NAICS code is 312111 and its SIC code is 2086.