In an effort to diversify the cocktail sector, Hella Cocktail Co. has received $5 million in funding.
A Partnership Created From A Shared Believe To Create An Inclusive Cocktail Experience
According to a press release, the investment was from Uncle Nearest Ventures and fulfilled Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey’s mission to empower minority-founded, owned, and led companies. Both brands share beliefs surpassing business ventures as they work toward fostering inclusivity in their industry through a newly cemented partnership.
“Investing in Hella Cocktail Co. was an absolute no brainer,” said Fawn Weaver, founder and CEO of Uncle Nearest, Inc., in a statement. “Our team members were already pairing their Bitters & Soda with Uncle Nearest, so I knew their products were made with excellence. What I didn’t know is the brand was founded by three men of African American, Mexican, and Jewish descent. Once I learned that, I reached into Jomaree and said, ‘What do you need? It’s yours.’ We could not be prouder to back these three incredible leaders, who have bootstrapped this brand for a decade, never compromising on quality or messaging, and who have grown their company at such a rapid yet sustained pace that they’ve proven their brand is here to stay.”
New Funding Will Support Expansion
Hella Cocktail Co. is currently sold at over 20,000 stores throughout the nation and became the first BIPOC-founded, owned, and led American beverage brand to be available in all 50 states. As the company looks ahead, the funding will support expansion, recruitment to Hella’s all-star team, stocking warehouses with greater inventory, and steward its mission to create an inclusive cocktail experience.
“We don’t see this as just an investment in Hella, but rather an investment in bringing all voices to the table and celebrating different experiences,” said Jomaree Pinkard, CEO of Hella Cocktail Co., in a statement. “This partnership not only enables us to bring our message to more audiences, but aligns us with a fellow minority-owned and led company that understands how integral culture is when creating a successful business. We’re thrilled to continue a rapid growth trajectory, as we create premium products where neither taste nor brand values are ever compromised.”
