People’s Champion Finalist: Berrywhite

Start-up name: Berrywhite
Founder: Andrew Jennings
Started in: 2012
Based in: London
Business description: A healthy drinks company with a social goal  

Shortlisted categories:

Crowdfunded Business of the Year
Product Business of the Year

The Berrywhite story:

One of our Startups 100 companies, Berrywhite was launched by founder Andrew Jennings as part of a mission to “bring superfruits to the masses”.

A goal it looks well on its way to achieving, and with an ethical conscience too. The organic, natural and nutrient-packed drinks start-up not only boasts impressive market traction and growth – it also donates 10% of its profits to innovative projects that help to educate underprivileged people around the world.

Starting out with minimal investment, Jennings managed to see early growth with just a very small team, careful planning and a ‘lean start-up’ strategy. After a couple of years of solid trading, following a growth in demand for sugar-free, healthy drinks, there was an opportunity for Berrywhite to transition from a niche product to a drinks brand with mass appeal. Having begun life in a glass bottle, 12 months ago the start-up rebranded and changed its packaging to become more portable and more in line with the mainstream drinks market.

With a newly vamped product, an engaging social media network (the company has over 60,000 followers across Instagram, Facebook and Twitter) and an effective PR campaign, the business closed an oversubscribed crowdfunding round of £378,000 in 2014 and hasn’t looked back since.

Having accelerated growth in the last 12 months, the drinks company has now secured shelf space in over 15 leading retailers including ASDA, Ocado and Waitrose, formed partnerships with over 300 UK schools and universities and now is exporting to over 30 countries internationally.

Why Berrywhite made our 60:

What’s not to like about this ethical drinks brand? With an ethos of ‘Goodness shared’, its range of drinks not only look and taste good, but they’re good for you and others too – thanks to its charitable arm. With the crowd behind it and over one million units produced last year, if it’s not stocked already, we predict the Berrywhite brand will be coming to a supermarket near you very soon.

Where to find out more about Berrywhite:

Website: www.berrywhite.com
Twitter: twitter.com/DrinkBerryWhite
Facebook: facebook.com/BerryWhiteDrinks