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The FoodBev Awards team is delighted to introduce the first of this year’s esteemed judges: Scott Rosenbaum, co-host of Business of Drinks. Returning to the panel for a second year, Rosenbaum brings a wealth of industry insight and a sharp eye for innovation. In this preview, he shares what he’ll be looking out for in the entries this time around…

It’s an honour to be a judge for the 2025 World Beverage Innovation Awards. For years, I’ve had the privilege of helping drinks brands grow, and I’m enthusiastic to see what this new cohort of innovators brings to the table. This is more than just a competition; it's a look into the future of our industry.

My career has been dedicated to understanding what makes a great beverage brands tick and a core tenet is that the best brands never stop innovating. At Distill Ventures, I helped deploy millions of dollars to promising alcoholic and non-alcoholic brands after evaluating 1000s of emerging brands. Today, as co-host of the Business of Drinks podcast, I regularly interview the founders and leaders of the fastest growing drinks companies about their cutting-edge innovations.

So whether it's technological or sustainability advancement, branding evolution or increased consumer connection and engagement, I'm excited to see how this year's entrants are driving the industry forward.

The World Beverage Innovation Awards gives me a chance to celebrate the bold ideas and dedicated people that make the drinks world so dynamic. It's a platform for recognising excellence and inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs. Here's to the groundbreaking products and concepts that will be showcased this year.

Learn more about FoodBev's awards and our World Beverage Innovation Awards by visiting the FoodBev Awards website.

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