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  • Oct 2, 2024
  • 2 min read

US energy drink company Lucky Energy has closed an oversubscribed $11.75m Series A funding round led by Brand Foundry Ventures.


Additional participants in the round included Imaginary Ventures, Sapphire Sport and Sugar Capital among others. This recent round brings the company’s total funding raised to date to $26.5 million.

Funds will be used to grow brand awareness, support strategic partnerships and accelerate retail growth as Lucky Energy looks to enter major retailers in 2025.


The Series A round comes as the brand continues to expand its team with the hire of multiple energy beverage industry experts, including Hamid Saify as chief marketing officer, joining from Liquid Death; and Aaron Sorelle as chief growth officer, joining from C4 Energy.


Founded by Richard Laver in 2023, Lucky Energy positions itself as a ‘better-for-you’ energy drink option for consumers with a cleaner label. Its ingredients lists include maca, ginseng, beta-alanine, taurine and caffeine, and the range is currently available in five flavours.


Laver commented: “In starting Lucky Energy, I saw a white space in the category to create a 'less is more' product that not only entertains today's consumer but inspires our community to never give up and relentlessly chase their dreams. We've put together a team of industry disruptors and we're making an impact on the market in never-before-seen ways.”


Andrew Mitchell, founder of investment round leader Brand Foundry Ventures, said that ‘clean’ energy makes up less than 10% of the broader energy drink category, which is worth over $100 billion, giving Lucky Energy a ‘unique value proposition’ in the space.


“The energy market is vast, rapidly expanding and primed for brand and product innovation,” added Rico Mallozzi, principal at investor Sapphire Sport. “With the top three energy brands being over 20 years old, there is a clear demand for an anti-brand like Lucky Energy, which embodies positivity and has the potential for broad consumer appeal.”


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Leah Smith

Leah Smith

8 May 2026

Ella’s Kitchen launches new children's snack range

Ella’s Kitchen is expanding beyond the baby food aisle with the launch of Ella’s Kitchen Kids, a new product line aimed at children aged 18 months and older.


The launch marks a significant strategic move for the brand as it looks to extend its presence beyond the weaning category and capture growing demand for healthier snack options for toddlers and young children.


Positioned as a “better-for-you” alternative to traditional children’s snacks, the new range combines bold flavours, playful branding and convenient formats with the nutritional standards parents associate with the Ella’s Kitchen brand.


The company said the range was developed in response to changing family eating habits and the lack of minimally processed snack options for older toddlers outside the baby aisle.


Initial products include Ella’s Kitchen Kids Crunchy Stix in Cheese + Onion, Tomato + Basil and Pesto varieties, alongside Ella’s Kitchen Kids Wild Crackers available in Tomato + Oregano, Pea + Basil and Carrot + Rosemary flavours.


Designed for lunchboxes, picnics and snacking occasions, the products are formulated with reduced salt levels and classified as non-HFSS options. According to the company, the Crunchy Stix contain less than 0.04g of salt per pack, while the Crackers contain less than 0.05g per serving.


Emma Wood, Senior Brand Manager at Ella’s Kitchen, said: “Ella’s Kitchen Kids is about recognising that the journey doesn’t stop at baby food. As little ones grow, their tastes, independence and routines all change – but parents still want options they can feel good about.”


The launch also signals Ella’s Kitchen’s wider ambitions within the children’s snacking market, with additional products and categories expected later this year.


Wood added that the company aims to help “raise the standards of the kids’ food category” by balancing taste, convenience and nutrition.

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