Background
Poppi was initially founded as Mother Beverage by couple Allison and Stephen Ellsworth. The pair appeared on Shark Tank under the name Mother Beverage in 2018. [3] The name 'Mother Beverage' was a nod to the raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar used in the soda. Allison had previously worked in the oil and gas industry and initially sold apple cider vinegar-based health drinks at local farmer's markets. After they were married, she and her husband decided to start Mother Beverage in their hometown, Austin, Texas. [4] The company was given a $400,000 investment on Shark Tank by Rohan Oza, which was used to rebrand Mother Beverage. In 2020, they renamed the soda "Poppi" to attract a more youthful and modern audience. [3]
The company raised a $13.5 million series A funding round in 2021 and a $25 million Series B round in 2022. [5]
In 2023, Poppi launched its Soda's Back ad campaign, which boosted brand visibility and in-store sales at over 120 stores, causing their revenue to surpass $100 million as of 2023. [6] As of 2024, the brand has had partnerships with celebrities such as Hailey Bieber, Kylie Jenner, Billie Eilish, Russell Westbrook, Jennifer Lopez, Olivia Munn, & Lucas Cruikshank. [7] [8]
In 2024, the company began to distribute some of their products in Canada. [9]
Lawsuit
In 2024, a class-action lawsuit in California was filed against Poppi. [10] Brought on by attorney Kristen Cobbs, the suit alleged that the company misled consumers with false claims about the soda's gut benefits that were not backed by scientific evidence. [10] [11] Though the soda does contain inulin, a naturally soluble fiber, Cobbs claimed that the 2 grams of fiber within the drink is too low to create a meaningful effect for gut health. [12] This lawsuit claims that the company violates California law with false and misleading advertising. [13] [4] In July 2025, the company agreed to settle the suit for $8.9 million. [14] A final hearing for the lawsuit is scheduled for November 20, 2025. [10]
