The beverage accelerator that gives founders an unfair advantage
InvestBev Acceleration* is an invite-only accelerator for the most promising beverage brands. Get actionable advice, connections, and capital to build and scale your brand faster.
Increase your chance of success
95% of beverage startups fail. We exist for one reason: to help more independent beverage brands succeed. InvestBev Acceleration brings the industry’s best marketers, manufacturers, distributors, legal experts, and investors directly to independent beverage brand founders.
The commitment
InvestBev Acceleration hosts two 3-month programs each year — one in the spring and one in the fall.
Founders meet as a group for two days a month for intensive sessions. Two sessions are held in-person in Chicago, and one is virtual. Founders also attend weekly 1:1 virtual office hours with a Sprout senior partner for personalized coaching on the topics that are most relevant to them.
The curriculum
We help stack the odds in the favor of the independent brand and equip founders with the confidence to make the right decisions for the business. The program’s curriculum is focused on four key pillars, and sessions are taught by leaders in the adult beverage industry.
Product Development
- Customer discovery
- MVP and beta testing
- Product/market fit
- Prioritization and roadmaps
- Launch milestones and scaling
Marketing & Growth
- Persona development
- Competitive analysis and positioning
- Market sizing
- Go-to-market planning and acceleration
- Building a marketing funnel
Business Fundamentals
- Business model
- Compliance
- Funding options
- Marketing analytics
- Operational scalability
- Exit strategies
Leadership Development
- Setting and selling your vision
- Hiring a founding team
- Building your board
- Influence
- Delegation
Pitch day
At the end of the program, founders participate in a pitch competition in front of leading CPG and beverage investors for the chance to receive a $100,000* investment of capital and services from the InvestBev portfolio of brands.
Additional benefits
The support doesn’t stop at the end of the program. Each alum also receives:
- Quarterly office hours with InvestBev senior partners to help them navigate their current business needs
- Invites to InvestBev portfolio events and industry meetups
- Special pricing on sales and distribution services
Don’t just take it from us.
Here’s what past graduates had to say.
“If you are chosen, drop whatever you are doing and join. You are going to learn multiple times more than the cost of the program.”
Paul Geller
Founder, BASBAS
“This is a fast format to learn about so many areas of the beverage industry. It’s like a compact MBA in Spirits.”
Mara Smith
Founder, Inspiro Tequila
“There’s not any other alcohol accelerator in the market. What InvestBev Acceleration is doing is so important and unique.”
Emily Darchuk
Founder, Wheyward Spirit
Are you ready to accelerate your brand to the next level?
Apply todayFrequently Asked Questions
What are the dates for the fall 2024 cohort?
Our fall cohort kicks off on September 18 in Chicago.
Who should apply for InvestBev Acceleration?
InvestBev Acceleration serves the founders of promising, any-stage brands in the adult beverage space. Those in the alcoholic, non-alcoholic, and cannabis categories may apply. We select brands based on several criteria. In general, brands must:
- Have a proven concept: We require brands to demonstrate initial market validation with sales.
- Be disruptive: Expand a current beverage segment or create a new one.
- Have financial viability.
What’s the application process?
Each cohort accepts a maximum of 15 brands. Though exceptions can be made, we generally allow one brand per category and subsegment: spirits, beer, wine, non-alcoholic, cannabis, ready-to-drink.
The process is simple:
- Fill out the application form.
- Finalists will be invited to interview with the Sprout Beverage team.
- Selected brands will receive a formal invitation.
What is the cost of the program?
InvestBev Acceleration offers several payment options that vary from a flat fee to a combination of equity and fee. The program director will discuss cost during your interview process, and you will be able to select a payment that is most aligned with your personal preferences and company stage.
Included in the cost of admission are: all program materials and courses, office hours, and meals and social events during in-person sessions.
What is InvestBev Acceleration?
InvestBev Acceleration is the brand incubation and accelerator arm of InvestBev. InvestBev is the only organization that supports independent beverage brands at all stages of their lifecycle – from start to store to scale.
Is travel to Chicago required for the program?
We strongly recommend that participants be in Chicago for our sessions.
We believe that in-person interaction enhances the program and outcome for everyone. However, we recognize that travel isn’t always possible and will allow virtual participation if necessary.
Can I apply with just an idea?
Our program is designed for founders who have developed a product and have demonstrated early traction through sales; however, ideas that are disrupting the adult beverage category will be considered.