Zico

What Zico does

ZICO (ZICO Rising, Inc.) is a US-based coconut water beverage company founded in 2004 by Mark Rampolla and currently headquartered in Seal Beach, California. The company produces a focused four-SKU product portfolio — Natural (the flagship), PURE Organic (USDA-certified organic, made from 100% Nam Hom coconuts sourced from Thailand and requiring refrigeration with a 9-month shelf life), Chocolate (70% coconut water blended with real cocoa), and Pineapple & Mango — all built on naturally sweet young Nam Hom coconut sourcing, flash pasteurization to preserve nutritional content, and a no-added-sugar formulation that delivers five naturally occurring electrolytes.

The business runs a hybrid go-to-market: direct-to-consumer via a Shopify-powered website and Amazon storefront, paired with broad third-party retail distribution across major US grocery chains (Ralph's, Vons, Albertsons, Pavilions, Publix, Hy-Vee, Trader Joe's, Andronico's, Fresh Dan's, Carrs), mass merchants (Walmart), and online marketplaces. ZICO's end customers are health-conscious consumers aged 18-35, professional and amateur athletes, and families seeking clean-label hydration alternatives to sports drinks and sodas; pricing is unit-based per pack, with website-listed starting prices of $15.92 (Natural) and $17.99 (Chocolate) per multi-pack. The company is being repositioned under CEO Chris Gallant (appointed September 2024, previously at Chamberlain Coffee) with high-profile athlete brand ambassadors/investors Naomi Osaka (July 2024), DK Metcalf (October 2024), and DeAndre Hopkins supporting brand-led community marketing.

ZICO's ownership history is unusual and material to its investment thesis: Coca-Cola acquired the brand then discontinued it in October 2020; founder Mark Rampolla reacquired it in early 2021, and in March 2025 the brand was transitioned into PowerPlant Ventures, a firm co-founded by Rampolla. The company has filed SEC Form D disclosures indicating ongoing capital raises (~$2.29M of a $7M target as of December 2025) and is reinvesting in product (Natural Organic launched September 2024), distribution, and marketing after a multi-year rebuilding cycle.

Name

Zico

Legal name

ZICO Rising, Inc.

Website

https://zico.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

ZICO is a US-based coconut water beverage company selling four SKUs (Natural, PURE Organic, Chocolate, Pineapple & Mango) through DTC e-commerce and major US retailers, targeting health-conscious consumers, athletes, and families seeking natural electrolyte hydration without added sugars.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Coconut Water Beverages

NAICS

Bottled Water Manufacturing (312112), Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing (312)

SIC

Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Plant-Based & Dairy Alternative Beverages (Oat, Almond, Soy, etc.) (CRADAHAM)

Keywords

• Coconut water beverages
• Natural hydration drinks
• Plant-based electrolyte drinks
• Organic coconut water
• Nam Hom coconut drinks

Headquarters

HQ city

Seal Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Coconut Water Product Sales: Direct product sales of coconut water beverages through e-commerce (own website, Amazon) and retail store distribution. Products include Natural, PURE Organic, Chocolate, and Pineapple & Mango varieties in multiple pack sizes (330mL, 16.9oz, 1L).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ZICO manufactures and sells packaged coconut water beverages made from a proprietary blend of young Nam Hom coconuts and mature premium coconuts sourced from Thailand. The portfolio includes four core SKUs — PURE Organic (USDA-certified organic, refrigerated), Natural (flagship unflavored), Chocolate, and Pineapple & Mango — sold through grocery, mass, specialty, and online channels with no added sugars and five natural electrolytes.

Product overview

ZICO is a coconut water beverage company offering 100% pure coconut water products. The portfolio consists of four distinct products: PURE Organic (USDA certified organic made from Nam Hom coconuts), Natural (the flagship best-selling unflavored coconut water), Chocolate (coconut water blended with real cocoa), and Pineapple & Mango (tropical-flavored variant). All products feature natural electrolytes, no added sugars, and are sourced from premium Southeast Asian coconuts with Nam Hom variety from Thailand. Products are sold through major retailers including Walmart, Amazon, Ralphs, Vons, Pavilions, Albertsons, Publix, Hyvee, and Trader Joe's.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PURE Organic Coconut Water USDA certified organic coconut water made from 100% Nam Hom coconuts sourced from Thailand, featuring a natural pink hue from the sweetest coconut varieties. Requires refrigeration at 40°F or lower with a 9-month shelf life. Targeted at consumers seeking USDA-organic, single-ingredient natural hydration.
• Natural Coconut Water Flagship best-selling unflavored coconut water made from a proprietary blend of young Nam Hom coconuts and mature premium coconuts. Contains five natural electrolytes, more potassium than a banana, zero fat, zero cholesterol, and no added sugars. Available in 1L, 16.9oz, and 330mL sizes; shelf-stable until opened. Targeted at health-conscious consumers, athletes, and families seeking clean-label hydration.
• Chocolate Coconut Water Chocolate coconut drink crafted with 70% coconut water and real cocoa, providing a plant-based, gluten-free chocolate alternative. Contains 470mg potassium and only one-third the sugar of traditional chocolate milk, with no artificial ingredients. Available in 1L and 330mL sizes. Targeted at consumers seeking an indulgent yet better-for-you chocolate beverage.
• Pineapple & Mango Coconut Water Tropical-flavored coconut water made with real pineapple and mango, providing natural hydration with electrolytes for refreshment during physical activity and daily life. Targeted at consumers seeking a flavored alternative within the natural coconut water category.

Quantifiable outcome

• Five natural electrolytes and more potassium than a banana per serving
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• DK MetcalfminorOthers · 9 October 2024NFL star DK Metcalf joined ZICO Coconut Water as both a brand ambassador and investor, citing the product's importance in his training routine. Partnership reinforces ZICO's appeal among athletes.
• Naomi OsakaminorOthers · 1 July 2024Tennis star Naomi Osaka became investor and brand ambassador to ZICO Coconut Water, citing her loyalty to the product for natural hydration benefits as she prepared for Wimbledon and the 2024 Olympics.
• DeAndre HopkinsminorOthersProfessional football player DeAndre Hopkins serves as ZICO brand ambassador, featured on the brand's About page alongside Naomi Osaka and DK Metcalf.
• Jesse ItzlerminorOthersJesse Itzler presented a creative pitch to Coca-Cola that led to the acquisition of ZICO Coconut Water, expanding Coca-Cola's beverage portfolio into coconut water and other non-carbonated drinks.
• Southeast Asian Coconut FarmerscoreOthersPartnership with local, sustainable growers in Southeast Asia (Thailand, Philippines) supporting the local economy. Employees receive fair wages, 100% health care coverage, and guaranteed bonuses. ZICO owns its processing facility ensuring product quality.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Vita Coco: Vita Coco is the leading branded coconut water company globally and ZICO's most direct competitor, selling 100% coconut water and coconut-based functional beverages through similar grocery, mass, and e-commerce channels. Both companies compete head-to-head for shelf space and the same health-conscious consumer.
• Harmless Harvest: Harmless Harvest is a premium organic coconut water brand owned by Danone, directly competing with ZICO's PURE Organic SKU. Both brands emphasize fair-trade sourcing, no added sugars, and clean-label positioning in the natural channel.
• Innocent Drinks (Coca-Cola): Innocent, owned by Coca-Cola, sells coconut water as part of its broader smoothie and juice portfolio. It competes with ZICO in U.S. retail for coconut water shelf space and was previously a sister brand under the Coca-Cola umbrella.
• O.N.E. Coconut Water: O.N.E. is a pure coconut water brand sold in single-serve Tetra Paks and multi-serve bottles across U.S. grocery and convenience. It targets the same natural hydration consumer as ZICO with a similar no-added-sugar product positioning.
• C2O Pure Coconut Water: C2O produces pure and flavored coconut water beverages distributed through U.S. grocery and natural channels. Its product portfolio (including pineapple and chocolate variants) overlaps directly with ZICO's SKU range and target demographic.
• Taste Nirvana: Taste Nirvana sells premium coconut water in glass bottles and Tetra Paks with a focus on authentic Thai sourcing. It competes with ZICO's Nam Hom coconut sourcing narrative in the natural and specialty grocery channel.
• Amy & Brian Naturals: Amy & Brian produces 100% coconut water in Tetra Paks and cartons, sold primarily in natural and grocery channels. It competes with ZICO's Natural and PURE Organic SKUs on a single-ingredient, no-added-sugar proposition.

Broad incumbents

• BodyArmor: BodyArmor (owned by Coca-Cola) is a premium sports hydration drink competing for the same athlete-driven, performance-oriented consumer that ZICO targets through its athlete endorsements. It overlaps with ZICO in the functional hydration occasion but offers a formulated sports drink rather than coconut water.
• Goya Foods: Goya is a major Hispanic food and beverage company that sells Goya Coconut Water alongside a broad portfolio of drinks and pantry staples. While not coconut-water-pure, Goya competes for the same shelf set and Latin/Hispanic consumer occasions that ZICO addresses.
• Smartwater (Coca-Cola): Smartwater is Coca-Cola's premium bottled water brand and shares ZICO's premium hydration positioning and retail distribution (Walmart, grocery, convenience). While a different category (water vs. coconut water), it competes for the same premium hydration occasions and shelf sets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ZICOcoconut
• Facebookfacebook.com/zicococonut
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zico-rising

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds6 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zico