Braintrust Investments Acquires Inko’s

02-Sep-2014

BURR RIDGE, Ill. & NEW YORK,– Braintrust Investments, LLC (“Braintrust”) announced today that it has acquired the Inko’s iced tea business (“Inko’s”). Inko’s is the first beverage company dedicated to manufacturing, selling and marketing ready-to-drink, white teas. White tea is widely regarded as having more health benefits than green tea. Braintrust is a private investment firm headed by food and beverage industry veteran Kevin Kotecki. The transaction has been closed with immediate effect and the terms were not disclosed.

“In addition, we will be dramatically increasing Inko’s marketing efforts, building broad scale consumer awareness and trial. Inko’s is an excellent platform for growth within the fast growing natural tea category.”

Inko’s was founded in 2002. The company markets and sells a variety of bottled white iced teas sold under the Inko’s White Tea trademark, including a range of flavored and unflavored white teas, and Inko’s White Tea Energy, an energy drink that uniquely utilizes tea caffeine (a “Jitter-Free” form of caffeine). The company is focused on providing the highest quality offerings to the health conscious consumer.

“We are very excited to partner with Braintrust as we look to accelerate our growth and continue to provide super premium ready-to-drink white teas to our customers,” said Andy Schamisso, President and Founder of Inko’s. “We share a similar vision for the company, and Braintrust’s expertise in branded foods and beverages will enable us to scale and better serve our customers.”

“Inko’s has a very strong consumer following. Their loyalty is attributed to Inko’s delicious flavors and low calorie recipes. We are thrilled to be joining the Inko’s team and will be working closely with brokers, distributors, and retailers to provide more consumers with access to the company’s truly unique teas,” said Kevin Kotecki. “In addition, we will be dramatically increasing Inko’s marketing efforts, building broad scale consumer awareness and trial. Inko’s is an excellent platform for growth within the fast growing natural tea category.”

Advisors to Braintrust include financial advisors Scott-Macon Group, Inc. and the law firm of Morrison & Foerster LLP. Advisors to Inko’s include financial advisors General Capital Partners, LLC and the law firm of Baker & Hostetler LLP.

About Braintrust Investments, LLC

Based in Burr Ridge, IL, Braintrust Investments, LLC is a private investment firm focused on the consumer products sector and, in particular, food and beverage companies. Prior to establishing Braintrust, Mr. Kotecki, its Managing Member, held CEO and President roles at Mark Anthony Brands (Mike’s Hard Lemonade), Pabst Brewing Company, ConAgra Refrigerated Foods, and Brach’s Confections, Inc.

About Inko’s LLC

Headquartered in New York, NY, Inko’s LLC manufactures, sells and markets a full line of delicious, ready-to-drink white teas in a variety of flavors sold under the Inko’s White Tea trademark. In addition, the company markets and sells Inko’s White Tea Energy, an all-natural energy drink uniquely powered by tea caffeine. Inko’s teas are among the least processed bottled teas with very low calories and caffeine, relative to other tea brands. Inko’s products can be found in natural foods stores, grocery stores, mass merchandisers, drugstores, gourmet stores, and health clubs.