What PERKii does

PERKii Pty Ltd is an Australian functional beverage company headquartered at the University of Queensland in Brisbane that develops and sells targeted-release probiotic drinks and shots for health-conscious Australian consumers. The company's product portfolio is structured around three core lines: still probiotic drinks (350mL, 1 billion CFU Lactobacillus casei per bottle), sparkling probiotic drinks (330mL, 1 billion CFU Bifidobacterium per bottle), and high-potency probiotic shots (60mL, 8 billion CFU Bifidobacterium per serve plus Vitamin C), with bundle formats comprising 24-serving and 36-serving packs. PERKii's differentiation rests on a proprietary seaweed-derived micro-encapsulation ("micro-shield") technology licensed from the University of Queensland that protects live probiotic strains through the acidic stomach environment (pH 2), reportedly enabling up to 10,000x greater survival versus non-micro-shielded probiotics before targeted release in the gut; all products are non-fermented, vegan, low in sugar (37-45 calories per serve), and made with a minimum of 70% Australian ingredients.

PERKii runs a hybrid go-to-market that combines retail distribution with direct-to-consumer e-commerce. Primary retail channels are Australia's two largest supermarket chains — Woolworths and Coles — alongside independent retailers, which together account for more than 5,000 points of distribution nationwide. Direct-to-consumer revenue flows through a Shopify storefront (perkii.com) with a subscription option that offers a 15% discount on recurring deliveries (every 2, 3, 4, or 5 weeks) and free cold-chain shipping on orders of two or more cases, with a $10 flat delivery fee on single-case orders; subscription management runs on Zoho Commerce. The webshop does not currently ship to South Australia, Western Australia, or Tasmania, although those states are covered through retail stockists. Pricing is unit-based at approximately AUD 40 per 8-pack case for drinks (AUD 34 on subscription) and AUD 60 per 12-pack for shots (AUD 51 on subscription), with bundles priced at AUD 110 (24-serving Gut Health Package, currently sold out) and AUD 160 (36-serving 5 Week Berry Immunity Bundle).

PERKii operates with a 1-10 employee team and has cumulatively raised approximately AUD 7 million across funding rounds in 2016 (AUD 4M from Brisbane Angels, Melbourne Angels, UniQuest, and Uniseed) and 2018 (AUD 3M from Stoic VC and Uniseed). The company is privately held as PERKii Pty Ltd, domiciled in Queensland, with no disclosed subsidiaries, parent entities, or material institutional ownership in the available source material. Recent strategic activity from 2022 through 2024 includes the launch of high-potency probiotic shots, an immunity-focused subscription bundle, the 14-Day Gut Health Challenge consumer programme, and expanded sparkling flavour offerings, alongside a 2021 placement on the Australian Financial Review's Fast 100 List among the top 50 fastest growing companies in Australia.

Name

PERKii

Legal name

PERKii Pty Ltd

Website

https://perkii.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

PERKii is an Australian functional beverage company that sells targeted-release probiotic drinks and shots using micro-encapsulation technology licensed from the University of Queensland, distributed via Woolworths, Coles, and direct-to-consumer e-commerce to health-conscious consumers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Functional Beverages

NAICS

Soft Drink Manufacturing (312111), Food Manufacturing (311)

SIC

Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Probiotic/Prebiotic Functional Beverage Production (Non-Fermented) (AFAFAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Probiotic & Live-Culture Beverage Production (Shots, Tonics) (AFAFAHAE), Probiotics & Digestive Health Supplements (CRADAGAF), Refrigerated Probiotics & Functional Shots (CRADACAN)

Keywords

• Probiotic drinks
• Functional beverages
• Targeted release probiotics
• Gut health products
• Micro-encapsulated probiotics

Headquarters

HQ city

Brisbane

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Direct-to-Consumer E-commerce: PERKii sells probiotic drinks and shots directly to consumers through its Shopify e-commerce store (perkii.com), offering both one-time purchases and subscription/recurring delivery plans with a 15% discount. Revenue is generated per transaction with repeat purchase potential through subscription model.
2. Retail/Wholesale Distribution: PERKii products are sold through retail partners including Woolworths, Coles, and independent Australian businesses across more than 5,000 points of distribution. The company supplies products to retailers at wholesale pricing, generating revenue through volume-based wholesale orders.
3. Subscription/Recurring Delivery: Customers can subscribe for regular deliveries (every 2, 3, or 4 weeks) of PERKii products at a discounted rate (Save 15%), generating predictable recurring revenue. Subscriptions are cancellable anytime and use Zoho Commerce for secure payment processing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

PERKii manufactures and sells ready-to-drink probiotic beverages and probiotic shots that deliver live, micro-shielded probiotic strains (Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium) to the gut. Its products use proprietary seaweed-derived micro-encapsulation technology developed at the University of Queensland to protect probiotic bacteria through stomach acid and release them in the intestines, offered in still 350mL bottles, sparkling 330mL bottles, and 60mL shot formats.

Product overview

PERKii is a functional food and beverage company specializing in Targeted Release Probiotics delivered through drinkable formats. The core product portfolio consists of three main lines: (1) Daily Dose Range still probiotic drinks in 350ml bottles (Mango Passionfruit, Strawberry Watermelon) containing 1 billion Lactobacillus Casei probiotics per serve; (2) Sparkling Probiotic Drinks in 330ml bottles (Orange Mango Passionfruit, Watermelon Mint Cucumber, Ginger Kick) with 1 billion Bifidobacterium probiotics per bottle; and (3) Immunity Probiotic Shots in 60ml concentrate format delivering 8 billion Bifidobacterium probiotics plus Vitamin C per serving. All products utilize the company's proprietary micro-shield (seaweed-derived micro-encapsulation) technology developed in partnership with the University of Queensland, designed to protect probiotic bacteria through stomach acid for targeted release in the gut. Value-add bundles include the Gut Health Package (24 servings) and 5 Week Berry Immunity Bundle (36 servings). The company also offers a subscription service with 15% recurring discount. Products are distributed through Australian retail partners (Woolworths, Coles) and direct-to-consumer via e-commerce with cold-chain delivery Australia-wide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PERKii Daily Dose Range (Still Probiotic Drinks) 350mL still probiotic drinks in Mango Passionfruit and Strawberry Watermelon flavours, delivering 1 billion Lactobacillus casei targeted-release probiotics per bottle. Low in sugar (37 calories per serve), naturally flavoured, and designed for daily gut health support. Sold as 8-pack cases at $40 per case (or $34 on subscription).
• PERKii Sparkling Probiotic Drinks 330mL non-fermented sparkling probiotic beverages in Orange Mango Passionfruit, Watermelon Mint Cucumber, and Ginger Kick flavours, each delivering 1 billion plant-based Bifidobacterium targeted-release probiotics. Vegan, only 45 calories per serve, sold as 8-pack cases at $40 per case.
• PERKii Immunity Probiotic Shot (Super Berry) High-potency 60mL probiotic shot delivering 8 billion Bifidobacterium targeted-release probiotics per serve, with 25% of daily recommended Vitamin C intake. Low in sugar, vegan, sold in 12-pack PET format at $60 per pack (or $51 on subscription). Designed for on-the-go and immunity support.
• PERKii Super Probiotic Shots (range) Original Super Probiotic Shots range launched in 2022 as 60mL high-potency shots using the Bifidobacterium lactis strain and PERKii's targeted-release micro-shield delivery system, available exclusively online at launch.
• 5 Week Berry Immunity Bundle Subscription bundle containing 36 servings (5 weeks' worth) of Super Berry Probiotic Shots at a discounted per-serving price, with extra servings included. Priced at $160 per bundle (or $136 on subscription).
• PERKii Gut Health Package 24-serving bundle combining 16 bottles of Mango Passionfruit and 8 bottles of Strawberry Watermelon still probiotic drinks using micro-encapsulated Lactobacillus casei, backed by 90+ scientific publications and 20 clinical studies. Priced at $110 (was $120).
• PERKii Gut Care Package Bulk value package of 24 servings of still probiotic drinks (Mango Passionfruit and Strawberry Watermelon) offered at discounted multi-case pricing for daily gut health routines.
• PERKii Subscription Service Recurring delivery subscription across PERKii probiotic drinks and shots, providing a 15% subscription discount and flexible cadence (every 2, 3, 4, or 5 weeks). Cancellable anytime, with cold-chain shipping across mainland Australia.

Quantifiable outcome

• Micro-shielded probiotics survive up to 10,000 times greater in simulated stomach acid (pH 2) compared to non micro-shield probiotics
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of QueenslandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPERKii was founded based on micro-encapsulation technology developed by researchers at the University of Queensland. This partnership provides PERKii with its core proprietary technology — a seaweed-derived micro-shield that protects probiotic strains (Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium) through stomach acid, enabling 10,000x greater survival compared to non micro-shield probiotics. The Lactobacillus casei strain used is backed by over 90 scientific publications and 20 clinical studies.
• WoolworthscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWoolworths is one of PERKii's primary national retail distribution partners, stocking PERKii probiotic drinks (Still and Sparkling ranges) and probiotic shots in Woolworths supermarkets across Australia. PERKii appears in over 5,000 points of distribution including Woolworths stores.
• ColescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorColes is PERKii's other primary national retail distribution partner, stocking PERKii probiotic drinks and shots in Coles and Coles Express outlets across Australia. Coles and Woolworths together account for the majority of PERKii's 5,000+ retail distribution points.
• Specialised Cold-Chain Delivery PartnercoreTechnology or IntegrationPERKii uses a specialised cold-chain delivery partner to ship its probiotic drinks (which must remain refrigerated at all times) to direct-to-consumer customers in optimal condition. Orders are collated and sent out on a scheduled basis to maintain product integrity. The cold-chain partner enables delivery across mainland Australia.
• Independent Australian RetailersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPERKii has partnered with independent Australian businesses across the country to expand retail availability beyond major supermarket chains. These partnerships support PERKii's goal of making its probiotic drinks accessible to as many Australian consumers as possible at a growing number of locations.
• 1800+ Supermarkets (REDcycle/Recycling Program)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPERKii uses a nationwide network of 1,800+ supermarkets for its eco-box recycling program. The thermal liner and ice packs from PERKii deliveries can be returned at these locations for recycling. This supports PERKii's sustainability initiatives and eco-friendly packaging strategy.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Yopro (Danone):
• Yakult: Global incumbent in probiotic dairy drinks; directly comparable to PERKii on probiotic drink format and target consumer (gut health), though Yakult uses a dairy base while PERKii is vegan and non-fermented. Yakult's scale and category leadership make it the reference competitor.
• Kevita (PepsiCo): Sparkling probiotic and kombucha brand acquired by PepsiCo. Overlaps with PERKii's Sparkling Probiotic Drinks line on format (carbonated, drinkable probiotic) and on retail multi-pack positioning. Now has the marketing/distribution muscle of a global CPG incumbent.
• Actimel (Danone): Danone's probiotic drinking yogurt brand. Compares to PERKii on the drinkable probiotic shot/small-format category, but is dairy-based and fermented. Mass-market incumbent competing for the same grocery shelf and consumer occasion.

Regional players

• MojoMe: Australian gut-health shot brand selling 60mL functional shots through Australian retailers and D2C. Direct format overlap with PERKii's Berry Probiotic Shot range and overlapping target consumer (on-the-go wellness, gut health seekers).
• InnerEco: Australian fermented and probiotic drink brand. Comparable to PERKii on Australian retail distribution and gut-health positioning, though uses fermented bases. Direct channel and country overlap makes it a relevant local peer.
• Remedy Drinks: Australian kombucha and functional beverage brand sharing PERKii's Australian mass-retail channel (Woolworths, Coles) and health-conscious consumer. Different format (fermented kombucha vs. non-fermented probiotics) but the most direct head-to-head Australian competitor for shelf space and consumer occasion.

Direct peers

• GoodBelly: Plant-based, vegan probiotic juice drinks and shots sold in multi-packs — closest international analog to PERKii's still probiotic drink and shot portfolio in terms of positioning (plant-based, defined CFU, retail multi-pack format).

Emerging players

• Bio-Kult: Probiotic brand with defined multi-strain formulations and consumer gut-health positioning. Comparable to PERKii on the science-backed, defined-strain narrative and gut-health use case, though primarily in supplement form.
• Vive Organic: Plant-based, functional probiotic and wellness shot brand selling through retail and D2C. Comparable to PERKii on functional shot format, CFU-led positioning, and a premium health-conscious target consumer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/perkiiprobiotics
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/perkiiprobiotics
• Instagraminstagram.com/perkiiprobiotics/?hl=en
• Xx.com/perkiiprobiotic

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors5 records

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

M&A1 record

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about PERKii