Who Owns Zico?

Zico was founded in 2004 by Mark Rampolla, who discovered coconut water during a stint in the Peace Corps in Central America and recognized its potential as a natural hydration alternative. Rampolla launched the brand with a focus on pure coconut water without artificial additives, targeting health-conscious and athletic consumers.

Throughout the late 2000s, Zico expanded its distribution and became one of the leading coconut water brands in North America, helping to establish coconut water as a mainstream beverage category. In 2008, Rampolla sold a minority stake to Coca-Cola for $15 million, and in 2013 Coca-Cola acquired the remaining shares, bringing Zico fully under its corporate umbrella.

Under Coca-Cola ownership, Zico struggled to grow against strong competition, particularly from Vita Coco, which dominated the coconut water category. In October 2020, Coca-Cola announced it would discontinue Zico as part of a broader portfolio restructuring to focus on higher-performing global brands.

In January 2021, PowerPlant Ventures, the growth-equity firm co-founded by Mark Rampolla, announced the reacquisition of the Zico brand from Coca-Cola. The brand was relaunched as Zico Rising, with Rampolla returning to lead the brand with a renewed focus on sustainability, community impact in coconut-growing regions, and health-conscious consumers. As of February 2026, Zico Rising continues to rebuild its presence in the coconut water category under independent ownership.