A Hillsborough drinks brand has smashed a £450,000 crowdfunding investment target in less than a day.
Not just that the company, Wavey Ice, is celebrating tripling its sales in the last 12 months as consumers embrace their unique range of vibrant beverages.
The ready-to-drink business which has raised over £500,000 with 79 investors is hoping to hit a £600,000 target by next week.
Wavey Ice produces a fun, vibrant range of alcoholic, non-alcoholic cocktails and nostalgic boozy Ice pops and say they’re on a “mission to redefine the ready-to-drink experience by crafting irresistible pops and cocktails that capture the essence of playfulness and creativity”.
The funding is being raised using the equity crowdfunding platform Seedrs which is enabling the company to invest in product development and introduce its drinks to more people as customer demand continues to grow both in the UK and internationally.
The pandemic sparked a trend for ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails as younger drinkers sought more fruity, colourful and playful alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to suit their lifestyles. The RTD sector continues to outperform the spirits category with its sales value growing 8.1% to £866m in 2022* and with 61% of people aged 18-34 enjoying a RTD alcoholic drink in 2022, the opportunity to innovate and grow the Wavey Ice brand is clear.
Wavey Ice launched in London in 2014 and was one of the first on the scene creating boozy retro ice Pops. The business was acquired in 2022 and is now run by managing director and head of production, Laura Davis and a team of four.
Laura Davis, managing director and head of production at Wavey Ice said: “We’re over-the-moon to have smashed our crowdfunding target so quickly! This overwhelming support demonstrates what we already knew that our playful, nostalgic ice Pops and RTD cocktails are a smash with consumers.”
“During lockdown we gifted the Pops to our family and friends as a way of connecting, having a laugh and delivering fun energy to each other. One of the most popular gifts was mixed boxes of Wavey Ice Pops which are an adult twist on childhood favourites that give off a nostalgic summer vibe. We jumped on the opportunity to buy the business as we knew it had a lot of potential, and it’s been a canny move as we’ve tripled sales.
“We’ve invested in NPD and developed Sips, ready-to-drink alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails, which have been massively popular and stand-out sellers. Our crowdfunding campaign will help us bring our vibrant products to new markets and make waves in the industry.”
The business has had huge success collaborating with celebrities and influencers such as Olympic diver, Tom Daley, by supplying drinks to The Voice UK team and creatively leveraging social platforms like TikTok and Instagram. It has built a loyal following by connecting with its audience of young people who respect its authentic and playful personality.
Laura Davis adds: “Ultimately, our goal is to be a brand that inspires joy, creates unforgettable moments, and becomes a household name known for its exceptional products and sustainable practices. As we embark on this exciting journey, we invite our customers, investors, and partners to join us in shaping the future of Wavey Ice together.”
Wavey Ice recently launched a seven-strong RTD range called Sips, which are single serve pre-mixed alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktail pouches. They are the perfect no-hassle party addition, simply chill, shake and Sip, or freeze them for an instant boozy slushie.
Sips have been developed by in-house mixologists and are ready-to-drink, hassle free and delicious. There are currently five alcoholic flavours – Trippy Tropical Rum Punch, Easy Espresso Martini, Perky Pornstar Martini, Slutty Strawberry Daiquiri and OG Orange & Vodka – and two recent non-alcoholic additions – Virgin Mango Pineapple Mojito and Virgin Sex on the Beach. With plans for adding even more tantalising flavours to the line-up!
Its iconic Pops range is one of the OGs in the frozen alcoholic treat market and was launched in 2014. The range of three nostalgic ice Pops; Kola & Spiced Rum, Watermelon & Vodka and Black Grape & White Rum are made with premium alcohol and all pack and flavourful punch.
The Wavey Ice crowdfunding campaign launched to the public at the start of August through equity crowdfunding company, Seedrs.
There are a range of investor perks for different levels of support including 10% discount for three months for a £25 investment, a year of discounts, ownership and an exclusive Wavey Ice t-shirt for £100 investment and there are five exclusive perks for £10,000 investors which include one-year supply of Sips and Pops (260 each), a cool-box, an opportunity to create a bespoke cocktail with its R&D team, along with a lifetime discount and full ownership.
For more information on the Wavey Ice Seedrs crowdfunding campaign to go seedrs.com/wavey-ice
