Chillhouse Exits, Celeb Investors Back Topicals 🏀

GM and Happy Thursday, folks. Here’s what we’re covering this morning:

• Dalston’s secures £850K 🥤

• Quench backs Jeng 🍸

• Cymbiotika releases creatine 💪

• The Coconut Cult goes mass 🥥

• Nara Organics launched at Target 🎯

Deals 💰

Mergers & Acquisitions 

• Kiss Beauty Group, a New York-based leader in mass-market nails and lashes, has acquired Chillhouse for an undisclosed sum. Cyndi Ramirez-Fulton launched Chillhouse as a nail salon in 2017 before pivoting to press-on nails and the larger nail care category due to COVID. In late 2024, Helen of Troy acquired another nail care brand, Olive & June, for $240M. NewBeauty

• Manchester-based eComplete Group teamed up with NVM Private Equity on a £31M management buyout of Noted Aromas, a fragrance brand best known for duping high-end scents. Noted Aromas launched in 2022 and revenue is north of £20M. LinkedIn

Fundraising

• UK-based better-for-you soda brand Dalston’s secured £850K in funding from Sorven Capital and Mark Philip-Sorensen. Dalston’s is best known for its chef-crafted sodas which are free from artificial ingredients and added sugars. Giles Brook is also an investor and advisor. LinkedIn

• Jeng, a female-founded THC beverage brand, scored a seed investment from Quench Ventures. Jeng is based in Montauk and primarily sells 3mg sparkling THC cocktails. Quench is also an investor in Liquid Death, Libby Wines, SipMARGS, Better Booch, and Papa’s Pilar Rum. BevNET

• Skincare brand Topicals just added Angel Reese and Nigerian singer Rema as investors. Several other athletes and entertainers also participated in the round. Topicals has raised a total of $22.6M since Olamide Olowe launched the brand in 2020. Business of Fashion

• Beverage-focused PE firm InvestBev secured $14M for Fund V from a leading global beverage company. The firm remains on pace to close its fifth fund with $250M by the end of June. Their prior investments include Cann, JuneShine, Ten To One Rum, Lucky Energy, and others. LinkedIn

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What’s New 🤩

Apparel, Cosmetics, and Wellness

• Bloom Nutrition expanded its supplement range with a clear protein powder line. Two flavors are available — Raspberry Lemon & Strawberry Watemelon — and each serving contains 20g of protein, 90 calories, and 0 sugar. The new line is available exclusively at Target. PR Newswire

• Aussie suncare brand Ultra Violette launched Mini Mate, a pocket-sized version of its popular Supreme Screen SPF 50+ SKU. It’s a great-looking product and currently only available in Australia. Instagram

• Cymbiotika is tapping into the booming creatine category with its newest product: Liposomal Advanced Creatine. The company spent two years developing the product which uses an ionic form of creatine to increase bioavailability. Each on-the-go packet contains 5g of CreaBev. Instagram

• Modern personal care brand Athena Club is betting big on fragrance in 2026. The company will reportedly release a slew of hair & body mists along with an affordable designer fragrance line. Instagram 

• Sleep or Die just unveiled its newest product: Sleep Strips. The sleep aid is formulated with L-Theanine, GABA, 5-HTP, and melatonin. Clever delivery system for a sleep aid. LinkedIn

Food, Beverage, and Alcohol

• Bronco, the latest brand from consumer incubator DropOut Companies, officially made its nationwide debut at Target. Bronco launched with two bagel breakfast sandwiches that are seed oil-free and deliver 15-21g of protein depending on the SKU. DropOut’s aim with Bronco is to build a better-for-you Jimmy Dean, the billion-dollar brand owned by Tyson Foods. PR Newswire

• After finding success in the natural channel, The Coconut Cult is now focused on winning in big box and conventional grocery. The company just released a 4 oz yogurt offering that features a resealable cap and a more approachable price point at $3.99. Three flavors are available and the packaging is excellent. Twitter

• Roxberry Naturals is a newish player in the children’s beverage category. The company specializes in sparkling beverages that contain hidden veggies like carrots and spinach. Roxberry recently debuted at 2,200 Walmart stores across the country. The U.S. children’s beverage category is expected to be worth $30B by 2030. LinkedIn

• HOPWTR collaborated with Stone Brewing on a co-branded sparkling hop water called Centennial Citrus. 6-packs are available for $11.99 at Sprouts Farmers Market and other select retailers. BevNET

• Cadootz! is a new healthy children’s snack brand. The company launched with three flavored crackers that deliver 5g of protein per serving. Additionally, their products are free from seed oils, gums, emulsifiers, and artificial flavors. Cadootz! was co-founded by Rachel Mansfield, Jordan Carpenter, and Kiva Dickinson of Selva Ventures. The brand exists at the crossroads of two enticing categories: better-for-you snacking and children’s nutrition. Cadootz!

• GORGIE is going beyond energy with their newest line: GORGIE Protein Energy. Each can contains 8g of protein, 150mg of caffeine, and other active ingredients like Biotin, B Vitamins and L-Theanine. PR Newswire

• Zero-proof martini brand Dry & Dirty debuted with three products: Lemon Drop Martini, Espresso Martini, and Dirty Martini. The products are formulated to taste like the real thing while also delivering functionality via L-Theanine, Lion’s Mane, and GABA. Dry & Dirty was developed by Kyle Koss and L.A. Libations. PR Newswire

Data 🖥️

• Fast-growing light beer brand Outlaw Light had a big year in 2025. The company hit a 1 million case equivalent annual run rate and expanded to 48 states (Hawaii and West Virginia will be unlocked soon). Outlaw also expects to 3x volume in 2026. With brands like Outlaw, EIGHT Brewing, and Garage Beer gobbling up market share, we’ll likely see a few strategic acquisitions in the coming years. PR Newswire

• Instacart just released its fastest-growing emerging brands of 2025 list. A lot of familiar faces like Oats Overnight, Built, IQBAR, Cymbiotika, Dose, Goodles, Fruit Riot, and many others. Instacart

Distribution News 🚚

• Oddball officially launched at Target.

• Hiyo is now available nationwide at Costco.

• Corpse Reviver rolled out at 53 Raley’s doors.

• Neutonic launched at 500 Morrisons doors.

• Momentous launched exclusively at The Vitamin Shoppe.

• Nara Organics launched nationwide at Target.