Yes, Poppi Was on Shark Tank and Struck a Lucrative Deal

The answer is yes – the popular prebiotic soda brand Poppi gained national attention and an invaluable investor when it appeared on season 10 of ABC‘s business reality TV show Shark Tank in 2018.

Back then, Poppi was called Mother Beverage. The founders pitched their apple cider vinegar drink to the celebrity investors (aka Sharks) and landed a game-changing deal. Poppi‘s Shark Tank appearance catapulted the small brand into the spotlight.

Here‘s a deep dive into Poppi‘s journey on Shark Tank and the tremendous success that followed.

A Play-By-Play of Poppi‘s Pitch on Shark Tank

Let‘s go back to 2018 when Poppi founders Allison Ellsworth and Stephen Ellsworth bravely pitched their fledgling beverage company to the Sharks.

The husband-wife duo from Texas had created a drink that featured apple cider vinegar as the core ingredient. They wanted to find a way to make the proven health benefits of ACV accessible through a tasty, fizzy beverage.

After months of trial and error using Allison‘s great-grandmother‘s lemonade recipe, they finally perfected a formula that masked the pungent taste of vinegar. The result was a smooth, fruity drink they called Mother Beverage, or Mother for short.

Armed with samples of their flagship Strawberry Lemon Mother drink, Allison and Stephen aimed to land an investment and mentorship from one of the celebrity billionaires on ABC‘s Shark Tank.

The Ask

In season 10 episode 8, Allison and Stephen entered the Tank seeking $400k for 10% equity in Mother Beverage. They shared they had $300k in sales over the past year selling primarily at farmers markets and small retailers.

The Pitch

The pitch focused on Allison‘s personal health journey that led her to discover apple cider vinegar. Her great-grandma‘s homemade strawberry lemonade recipe eventually evolved into Mother‘s balanced blend of fruit juices and vinegar.

The Sharks loved the taste of the sample Strawberry Lemon Mother. The founders were poised and confident during the Q&A.

Kevin O‘Leary remarked it was one of the "smoothest presentations" he‘s ever seen on Shark Tank.

The Offers

Mark Cuban made the first offer: the full $400k investment but for 50% of the company. A steep asking price.

Allison and Stephen attempted to negotiate but Mark did not budge, insisting 50% was the value he brought in expertise. They declined.

Rohan Oza, known for building beverage brands like Vita Coco and Bai, saw major potential in Mother. He offered the $400k for 20% equity.

Recognizing Rohan‘s expertise, plus the need to give up less equity, Allison and Stephen accepted his deal on the spot.

The Outcome

A huge grin on his face, Rohan Oza welcomed the founders to the "Shark Tank family." He was even treated to an impromptu celebratory dance by Allison and Stephen!

The Austin couple walked away with the exact investment amount they asked for and an ideal strategic partner in Rohan who could scale their vision.

By the Shark Tank Numbers: Poppi‘s Deal Breakdown

Let‘s look at the hard numbers behind Poppi‘s successful Shark Tank deal:

• Entrepreneurs: Allison Ellsworth and Stephen Ellsworth, founders of Mother Beverage

• Ask: $400,000 for 10% equity stake

• Pre-Money Valuation: $4 million

• Shark Investor: Rohan Oza

• Deal: $400,000 for 20% equity

• Post-Money Valuation: $2 million

At a $2 million valuation, Oza‘s investment immediately doubled the value of the business. His contribution also included hands-on mentorship in marketing and distribution critical for growth.

While the founders gave up more equity than originally desired, the trade-off gained them a partner invested in their vision. This deal lit the fuse that would launch Poppi into stratospheric success.

Poppi‘s Rapid Growth After Shark Tank

Appearing on Shark Tank was only the beginning for Poppi. Rohan Oza‘s involvement enabled the founders to transform the Mother Beverage brand into a household name.

Here is a timeline of Poppi‘s major milestones since their episode aired in 2018:

• 2019: Rohan Oza helps secure $13.5 million in funding from CAVU Venture Partners to rebrand and expand.

• 2020: Company officially rebrands from Mother Beverage to Poppi. Launch new logo, flavors, and innovative marketing.

• 2021: National distribution gained in major chains like Target, Walmart, Kroger. Revenue hits $45 million, up 500% from prior year.

• 2022: Products now sold in over 10,000 retail locations. Raised $25 million in Series B funding. On track for over $130 million in annual revenue.

In just a few short years, Poppi has been transformed from a niche health drink to a mainstream functional beverage company. Their exponential growth is largely credited to Rohan‘s guidance, connections, and investment.

According to Pitchbook data, Poppi‘s valuation has skyrocketed to $550 million as of October 2022. Their sales velocity and potential as a challenger brand in the soda industry continues to attract investor interest.

By the Numbers: Poppi‘s Valuation and Revenue

Let‘s dig into the data on Poppi‘s valuation and sales growth since Shark Tank:

Date	Valuation	Revenue
2018 (on Shark Tank)	$1.6 million	~$300k
Oct. 2022	$550 million	Projected $130 million+ (2022)

As this table shows, Poppi has experienced astronomical growth since securing Rohan as an investor. Their sales have expanded over 300x from the $300k run rate at the time of their pitch.

My projections are that Poppi‘s upward trajectory will continue as they disrupt the soda industry with innovative health-conscious products. Apple cider vinegar was just the beginning!

The Genius of Poppi‘s Rebranding and Repositioning

In my view, one of the smartest moves Allison and Stephen made was rebranding Mother Beverage as Poppi. This allowed the company to redefine itself and realize its full potential.

The name Poppi evokes fun, positivity and connectivity – it‘s catchy, trendy, and fitting for a modern functional soda brand. It appeals perfectly to their target youthful demographic.

Along with the name change, they overhauled the branding, packaging design, flavors, and messaging. Everything aligned to reposition Poppi as an uplifting lifestyle drink, not just an apple cider vinegar beverage.

This was a gamechanger that likely enabled Poppi to gain traction in mainstream retailers and attract new capital to invest in growth. The rebranding ushered in Poppi‘s phenomenal success.

Rohan Oza deserves immense credit for guiding the founders to make these power moves that allowed their creation to reach its highest potential. His brand-building genius made Poppi what it is today.

Meet the Masterminds Behind Poppi

Of course, none of Poppi‘s achievements would be possible without the passionate founding team who believed in their mission.

Allison Ellsworth is the creator and visionary behind Poppi. Her personal health journey led her to experiment with mixing apple cider vinegar into drinkable form. As Chief Brand Officer, she remains instrumental in Poppi‘s brand vision and marketing.

Stephen Ellsworth, her husband, was focused on operations, sales, and fundraising in the early start-up days. He provided vital support in turning Allison‘s idea into a real business.

Today‘s executive team includes Chris Hall, a beverage marketing guru, as CEO, and Rocio Paniagua, a sales powerhouse, as CMO.

Rohan Oza continues to serve as a strategic advisor and board member. He is still highly involved in guiding Poppi‘s growth strategy.

This dream team combines the founders‘ passion with world-class executive experience needed to scale quickly. Their bold vision to make soda healthier is changing the game.

Health Benefits vs. Drawbacks of Drinking Poppi

As a fan of Poppi myself, I‘m often asked – is it actually healthy for you? Let‘s explore the pros and cons:

Potential Benefits

• Prebiotics improve gut health and digestion
• Antimicrobial properties of ACV may boost immunity
• Appetite suppressing effect helps manage weight
• Blood sugar regulation from acetic acid in vinegar
• Antioxidants from superfood ingredients like green tea

Drawbacks

• High in sugar compared to plain ACV drinks – up to 30g per can
• Acidity could impact dental health over time
• Some claimed benefits like "detoxifying" lack scientific proof
• Artificial flavors don‘t fit their natural image

My take? Moderation is key – 1-2 cans a day is likely fine for most healthy adults to enjoy Poppi‘s benefits. But plain diluted ACV contains more proven health properties. Overall, Poppi makes for a tasty treat that‘s better than traditional soda.

Frequently Asked Poppi Questions – Answered!

I want to share some helpful answers to questions I often get asked about Poppi:

Q: Where can I buy Poppi soda?

A: Poppi is sold at major national retailers like Target, Walmart, Whole Foods, Kroger, and Safeway. Check their website for a store locator. You can also order online via Amazon or the Poppi website.

Q: How much caffeine is in Poppi?

A: Around 32mg of natural caffeine per can from green tea extract – similar to conventional sodas.

Q: Does Poppi offer samples?

A: Yes! You can request free product samples on their website to try the flavors.

Q: Is Poppi gluten-free and vegan?

A: Yes, Poppi is certified gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan and kosher.

Q: Can kids drink Poppi?

A: While it‘s not marketed to children, Poppi is safe for kids to drink in moderation. I suggest limiting to 1 mini can (8oz) per day max.

I hope these tips help anyone curious to try Poppi! Let me know if you have any other questions.

My Takeaway Views on Poppi‘s Success

In closing, here are a few final thoughts I have on the factors that enabled Poppi to become so prosperous:

• Rohan Oza – landing his investment and expertise was game-changing

• Authentic founders – their passion comes through and resonates

• Brand repositioning – as a lifestyle drink, not just an ACV beverage

• Mainstream distribution – getting into mass chains fueled growth

• Continued innovation – new flavors and products attract new consumers

• Marketing – positioning on experience vs just functional benefits

To me, Poppi represents the opportunity Shark Tank provides to catapult successful brands into the big leagues. Their future looks bright, as Poppi has all the ingredients for continued market leadership.

I‘d love to hear your thoughts on Poppi! Let me know what your favorite flavors are.