OLIPOP Inc.

Who founded OLIPOP?
OLIPOP was founded in 2017 by Ben Goodwin and David Lester. Goodwin serves as CEO and is the primary product formulator. He spent approximately nine years developing the OLIPOP formula, drawing on his experience in the kombucha industry and investing roughly $300,000 of personal savings before launch. Lester co-founded the company and contributes to strategic direction and growth.

What is OLIPOP's valuation?
OLIPOP was valued at $1.85 billion in its Series C funding round in February 2025. The round raised $50 million and was led by J.P. Morgan Private Capital's Growth Equity Partners. The company is planning to raise additional capital in 2026, with Axios reporting in May 2026 that OLIPOP was seeking more than $200 million.

How much revenue does OLIPOP generate?
OLIPOP reported $400 million in revenue in 2024. Industry estimates place 2025 revenue at approximately $500 million. The company claimed profitability in 2024. As a private company, OLIPOP does not file detailed financial statements with the SEC, and revenue figures are based on company announcements and media reports.

Where can you buy OLIPOP?
OLIPOP is available through its website as a direct-to-consumer product, including a subscription service, and in over 30,000 retail stores across the United States. Major retail partners include Walmart, Target, Kroger, and Whole Foods. The company also sells through Amazon and other online retailers.

What are the main ingredients in OLIPOP?
OLIPOP contains prebiotic fiber from sources such as cassava root and chicory root, botanical extracts, and natural flavors. The beverages are formulated with low sugar content, typically 2 to 5 grams per can, and are sweetened with a combination of natural sweeteners. The products are designed to support digestive health through prebiotic fiber.

Is OLIPOP publicly traded?
No, OLIPOP is a privately held company. It is not listed on any stock exchange and does not have a public stock ticker. The company has raised venture capital and growth equity funding across multiple rounds, with the most recent being the Series C round in February 2025.

Who owns OLIPOP?
OLIPOP is owned by its co-founders Ben Goodwin and David Lester, along with institutional investors including J.P. Morgan Private Capital's Growth Equity Partners and earlier venture capital backers. Specific ownership percentages have not been publicly disclosed. The co-founders retain control of the company.

What is the difference between OLIPOP and regular soda?
OLIPOP contains prebiotic fiber, botanical extracts, and significantly less sugar than traditional sodas. A typical can of OLIPOP has 2 to 5 grams of sugar, compared to 30 to 40 grams in a conventional soda. The product is marketed as a functional beverage that supports digestive health, rather than a conventional soft drink.

Ben Goodwin began developing the OLIPOP formula in 2008, after leaving a kombucha company where he had worked on fermented beverages. He spent approximately nine years researching prebiotic fiber, botanical extracts, and soda flavor profiles before launching OLIPOP in 2017. Goodwin invested roughly $300,000 of personal savings into the project.

The company launched with a direct-to-consumer model, selling through its website and targeting health-conscious consumers via digital marketing. Early growth was driven by social media marketing, influencer partnerships, and the rising consumer interest in gut health and functional foods. The direct-to-consumer channel allowed OLIPOP to build a subscriber base and gather customer data before expanding into retail.

In 2022 and 2023, OLIPOP expanded aggressively into retail distribution. The company secured placement in Whole Foods, Target, Kroger, and eventually Walmart. Retail expansion accelerated revenue growth significantly, moving OLIPOP from a niche online brand to a mainstream beverage available in tens of thousands of stores. By 2024, the company reported $400 million in revenue and claimed profitability.

In February 2025, OLIPOP raised $50 million in a Series C funding round at a valuation of $1.85 billion. The round was led by J.P. Morgan Private Capital's Growth Equity Partners. CEO Ben Goodwin stated that the capital would fund product development, marketing, and distribution expansion. The valuation placed OLIPOP among the most highly valued private beverage companies in the United States.

By 2025, OLIPOP's annual revenue reached an estimated $500 million, according to industry reports. The company continued to expand its retail footprint and invest in its direct-to-consumer subscription business. In mid-2026, OLIPOP began overhauling its subscription retention engine, reducing monthly churn and improving customer lifetime value metrics.

In May 2026, Axios reported that OLIPOP was planning to raise more than $200 million in additional capital. The fundraising came after reported deal talks with strategic acquirers stalled in 2025. The company was said to be exploring both a significant Series C extension and a potential strategic sale process.

Also in 2026, OLIPOP expanded its growth engineering team and invested in community-driven referral programs. The company launched a tiered ambassador program with approximately 4,500 active participants, generating an estimated 11 to 14 percent of new direct-to-consumer subscriber acquisitions in early 2026.

OLIPOP has not faced major regulatory action or public controversy at the level of large consumer goods companies. However, the company operates in a category where health claims are subject to scrutiny.

The functional beverage category, including prebiotic and probiotic sodas, has drawn attention from consumer advocates and regulators regarding health claims. The FDA does not evaluate dietary supplement claims before marketing, and prebiotic fiber claims fall into a regulatory area where companies must be careful about specific health assertions. OLIPOP markets its products as supporting digestive health but does not make specific disease treatment claims.

In 2026, industry reports raised questions about OLIPOP's internal growth operations. Axios reported in May 2026 that the company was pivoting to raise additional capital after strategic acquisition talks stalled. A D2C Times report in August 2026 alleged that several senior growth and retention team members had departed the company amid disagreements over paid acquisition strategy. These reports were based on anonymous sources and were not confirmed by the company.

The company has not been subject to major lawsuits, regulatory fines, or public scandals. As OLIPOP scales and its health claims reach a broader consumer base, regulatory scrutiny of functional beverage marketing claims is a potential risk.