The Clean Liquor Company, the low- and no-alcohol spirit producer founded by former Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews, has secured US$2m in funding to expand globally.
Investment firm Lightspeed Venture Partners stated that it had handpicked the UK firm from 50 other competitors around the world to become the “global leader” in this fast-growing drinks category.
Following its launch in November last year, the company’s 1.2% ABV ‘CleanGin’ has made a significant impact, selling out twice. Trumpeted as an alternative to traditional gin, it recently went on sale in nearly 500 Sainsbury’s stores. The producer is currently focusing on global expansion with plans to launch in India, Singapore, Australia and the US.
Nicole Quinn, Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners, said: “I look for businesses that are doing things differently, but that are not just disruptive but rather represent a generational behavioural shift. We want to build a business for the long run. And if that business is a celebrity’s business, the most important thing is true authenticity.”
Matthews added: “The Clean Liquor Company was born out of a passion to make no and low alcohol products positive. Rather than non-alcoholic, non-flavour, non-fun, we wanted to create something that answered the demand for quality and flavour but without the negative effects of alcohol.”
The company revealed that it is working to produce a range of products targeted to different markets with its next product being a rum which is currently receiving “finishing touches”.
On-trade sales of low- and no-alcohol have risen by 48% in the UK in the last 12 months with the sector now worth around £60m.
