OLIPOP is owned by co-founders Ben Goodwin and David Lester, who maintain significant ownership alongside institutional investors including J.P. Morgan Growth Equity Partners, Monogram Capital Partners, and celebrity investors. The company reached a valuation of $1.85 billion following its Series C funding round in early 2025, maintaining its position as the leading prebiotic soda brand.
The Oakland-based beverage company achieved profitability in 2024 and raised $50 million in Series C funding. Former Coca-Cola executive Mel Landis joined as president in November 2024, while co-founder David Lester transitioned to an advisory board role.
Key Stats
OLIPOP reached $400 million in annual revenue during 2024, doubling year-over-year performance.
The company achieved a $1.85 billion valuation following its Series C funding round in February 2025.
Products are sold in nearly 50,000 retail locations across the United States as of 2025.
OLIPOP controls approximately 60% of the global prebiotic and probiotic soda market according to TapTwice Digital.
How Did OLIPOP Get Its Name?
The brand name combines oligosaccharide and pop. Oligosaccharides represent the prebiotic fiber that supports digestive health, while pop refers to the traditional American term for carbonated beverages.
Ben Goodwin and David Lester selected this portmanteau to communicate the product’s functional health benefits while maintaining connection to classic soda culture. The naming strategy emphasized accessibility rather than clinical terminology.
The founders wanted consumers to recognize the beverage as a familiar soda alternative without requiring extensive explanation of its prebiotic ingredients. This approach aligned with their mission to make digestive health products mainstream and approachable.
OLIPOP Origin, Founders And Early Years
Ben Goodwin’s Journey
Goodwin developed his first beverage after leaving a kombucha company in 2008. He invested $300,000 of personal savings into creating Obi, a probiotic soft drink, working with a microbiologist in a makeshift laboratory.
The college dropout studied environmental science before pursuing beverage entrepreneurship. His personal health transformation at age 14 sparked interest in nutrition and microbiome science.
Partnership Formation
Goodwin met David Lester in 2013 at a coffee shop. Lester had recently left his position at Diageo after nearly a decade in beverage marketing roles including Innovation Concept Marketing Director.
The partners sold Obi in 2016 after the probiotic soda failed to gain market traction. They used $100,000 from this sale to fund OLIPOP’s development in 2018.
Product Launch
OLIPOP launched with three flavors in 2018: Ginger Lemon, Strawberry Vanilla, and Cinnamon Cola. The founders delivered and packed cans themselves, selling to 40 Northern California grocery stores.
First-year revenue reached $852,000. The formula incorporated prebiotics instead of probiotics based on emerging microbiome research. Goodwin perfected the recipe in his Santa Cruz home laboratory.
Who Owns OLIPOP?
Ben Goodwin serves as CEO and co-founder, maintaining significant equity in the company. David Lester transitioned from his operating role to an advisory board position in early 2025 following the Series C funding round.
The ownership structure includes multiple institutional investors who participated across funding rounds. J.P. Morgan Private Capital’s Growth Equity Partners led the $50 million Series C round announced in February 2025.
Monogram Capital Partners led both the Series A round in 2020 and the Series B round in 2022. The Series B funding totaled $39.7 million and valued the company at $200 million.
Celebrity investors joined through the Series B round. This group includes Gwyneth Paltrow, Mindy Kaling, Nick Jonas, Joe Jonas, Kevin Jonas, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Camila Cabello, and Logic.
Largest Shareholders of OLIPOP
Institutional Holdings
J.P. Morgan Growth Equity Partners anchored the Series C round, marking the investment arm’s first major position in the functional beverage category. The $50 million commitment demonstrated institutional confidence in prebiotic sodas.
Monogram Capital Partners maintained its position across multiple funding rounds. Partner Jared Stein joined OLIPOP’s board of directors following the Series A investment, providing strategic guidance during rapid expansion.
Celebrity Investor Group
Former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi participated in the Series B round. Her beverage industry expertise and global business perspective provided valuable advisory support.
The Jonas Brothers invested as organic consumers of the product. ClassPass founder Payal Kadakia and Beautycon co-founder Moj Mahdara also contributed funding during the 2022 round.
Founder Equity
Goodwin and Lester retain substantial ownership stakes. The exact percentages remain undisclosed, though both founders maintained significant positions through dilution across funding rounds.
OLIPOP Company History Timeline
Who Is On The Board Of Directors For OLIPOP?
Executive Leadership
Ben Goodwin serves as CEO and board member. He oversees product formulation, company strategy, and scientific partnerships with microbiome researchers.
Mel Landis joined as president in November 2024. The 36-year beverage industry veteran previously served as Chief Customer Officer at BodyArmor Sports Nutrition and held senior positions at Coca-Cola for 15 years.
Advisory Board Members
David Lester transitioned to an advisory board role in 2025. He continues providing marketing and brand strategy guidance despite stepping back from daily operations.
Jared Stein from Monogram Capital Partners joined the board following the Series A investment. His venture capital experience aids strategic planning and growth initiatives.
Financial Leadership
Tracy Hart serves as Chief Financial Officer. She brings experience from True Botanicals and Method Products, specializing in consumer products finance, mergers, and ERP implementations.
Hart holds an MBA from Xavier University and oversees financial planning, cost management, and operational strategy. Her background includes managing global finance operations and acquisition integrations.
OLIPOP Mission Statement
OLIPOP exists to facilitate human health and enrichment in service of a functioning society. The company creates empirically informed, health-forward products at scale through formats that provide experiential and emotional rewards.
The mission emphasizes meeting consumers where they are with products satisfying cravings while delivering functional benefits. This approach represents what the founders call a Trojan Horse strategy.
Grounded in microbiome science, the company works with global gut health experts to translate research into product development. The mission encompasses people, product, science, corporate citizenship, and messaging.
OLIPOP achieved B Corp certification in July 2023 with a score of 91. This designation reflects commitment to social and environmental impact beyond profit maximization.
The company operates as a Public Benefit Corporation, legally obligated to consider stakeholder interests in decision-making. This structure protects the mission-driven approach during growth and potential future transitions.
OLIPOP Products And Services
The beverage line features over 17 flavors including Vintage Cola, Strawberry Vanilla, Cherry Vanilla, Root Beer, Orange Cream, and Tropical Punch. Each can contains 9 grams of prebiotic fiber and 2 to 5 grams of sugar.
The proprietary OLISMART formula combines cassava root fiber, chicory root inulin, Jerusalem artichoke inulin, and botanical extracts. Ingredients include nopal cactus, marshmallow root, calendula flower, and kudzu root.
OLIPOP introduced shelf-stable versions in 2024, expanding beyond refrigerated products. The company launched Shirley Temple flavor in January 2026, timed with Dry January consumer trends.
Recent collaborations included Barbie-themed Peaches and Cream in 2024 and SpongeBob SquarePants Pineapple Paradise in 2025. Products are available at retailers including Target, Walmart, Costco, Kroger, and Whole Foods Market.
The company offers subscription services delivering customized flavor boxes every few weeks. This direct-to-consumer model complements retail distribution across nearly 50,000 locations.
FAQ
What is the net worth of OLIPOP?
OLIPOP reached a valuation of $1.85 billion following its Series C funding round in February 2025, led by J.P. Morgan Growth Equity Partners with a $50 million investment.
Is OLIPOP an American company?
Yes, OLIPOP is an American beverage company headquartered in Oakland, California. The company was founded in 2018 by Ben Goodwin and David Lester and operates exclusively in the United States.
OLIPOP market cap in 2026
OLIPOP remains privately held without a public market capitalization. The company’s most recent valuation of $1.85 billion was established in February 2025 through Series C funding from institutional investors.
When did OLIPOP come out?
OLIPOP launched in 2018 with three initial flavors: Ginger Lemon, Strawberry Vanilla, and Cinnamon Cola. The founders sold products in 40 Northern California grocery stores during the first year.
Who owns OLIPOP?
Co-founders Ben Goodwin and David Lester own significant stakes alongside institutional investors including J.P. Morgan Growth Equity Partners, Monogram Capital Partners, and multiple celebrity investors who participated in funding rounds.
Is OLIPOP still operational?
Yes, OLIPOP continues operating with strong growth. The company achieved profitability in 2024, doubled revenue to $400 million, and expanded distribution to nearly 50,000 retail locations nationwide.
