SAN FRANCISCO — Aura Bora, a maker of sparkling waters flavored with fruits, herbs and flowers, closed its Series A funding round, bringing total financing to more than $10 million. The new capital will support efforts to expand retail distribution and brand awareness and enhance operational capabilities.
Married co-founders Paul and Maddie Voge launched the business three years ago.
“In November of 2019, I sold the first can of Aura Bora to a grocery store three blocks from my house,” Mr. Voge said. “I spent months delivering cases out of my Subaru across the Bay Area with hand-written invoices until we partnered with our first distributor. Today our sparkling waters are sold in more than 4,000 stores across the country, and we’re just getting started.”
Aura Bora last May raised $2 million in seed funding. The products are sold in Sprouts Farmers Market, Whole Foods Market, Thrive Market and other natural grocery stores. Flavors include cactus rose, basil berry, peppermint watermelon, elderflower grapefruit, lavender cucumber, lemongrass coconut, lime cardamom, tangerine blossom and blueberry wildflower. An appearance on the television show “Shark Tank” last year helped the brand gain national visibility.
The funding round was led by Siddhi Capital, with participation from Consumer Ventures, Gaingels, Seaside Ventures and Simple Food Ventures. Melissa Facchina, general partner and co-founder of Siddhi Capital, will join the Aura Bora board.
“Paul has trusted in Siddhi to be a partner to the business in the fast-paced water market,” Ms. Facchina said. “Aura Bora continues to provide superb flavor profiles and unique customer engagement strategies, and Siddhi Capital is thrilled to be the lead investor in this round.”
Clayton Christopher, founder of Waterloo, Sweet Leaf Tea, Deep Eddy Vodka and CAVU Venture Partners, also invested in the round and will join the board of directors as an independent board member.
“Since co-founding Waterloo, I’ve spent a lot of time in this category and consider myself a sparkling water connoisseur,” Mr. Christopher said. “I’ve been extremely excited about Aura Bora since first meeting Paul in January 2020. The brand’s best-in-class velocities are proof that what they’re doing is working — and Aura Bora is the best-tasting sparkling water I’ve ever had. I look forward to working with the brand and management team on national expansion.”
Additionally, Brad Barnhorn, who serves on the boards of brands including Country Archer, Flying Embers, Rhythm Superfoods and Biena Snacks, has joined Aura Bora’s board of directors.
Sep
2022
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