1. What does Revibed Drinks do, and what motivated you to start the business?
Revibed makes zero-sugar sparkling drinks infused with ingredients such as açaí, hibiscus and moringa. We’re also developing a range of superfood powders for drinks and everyday recipes.
The idea began with the hibiscus tea my dad made at home and grew during my travels through Southeast Asia, where I saw how naturally ingredients could be part of daily life. Dad and I started experimenting in our family kitchen in 2020. Neither of us came from the drinks industry, but we wanted to build a brand that brought flavour, colour and a sense of possibility to everyday wellness.
2. What was most valuable about your Foundervine accelerator experience?
The combination of practical support and being around founders who understood what it takes to build a business without an established network or a ready-made route into the industry. It gave me space to step back from the day-to-day pressures, test our thinking and become clearer about the opportunity we were building.
The support also helped us move forward at a stage when access to funding and the right conversations could make a real difference. I’m grateful that Foundervine backed us early.
3. What is one key learning from the programme that has changed how you run the business?
To be clearer about the customer and the reason they would choose us. As a founder, it’s tempting to talk about every ingredient, benefit and future product at once. I’ve learned to focus on a message people can understand quickly, then support it with the detail.
That lesson is especially relevant now as we refine Revibed’s positioning and expand from cans into powders. Every new opportunity has to make sense for the customer and for the business.
.jpg)
4. How has the programme influenced your confidence or leadership as a founder?
It helped me take my ambition seriously. When you start in a family kitchen with no industry background, national retail can feel a long way away. Being challenged and supported by people who believed we could grow gave me more confidence to approach buyers, ask difficult questions and make decisions.
My leadership has also changed as the business has grown. I’ve had to learn when to push, when to listen and when to simplify. Confidence for me now means being honest about what we still need to improve and staying committed to doing the work.
5. What has changed for Revibed Drinks since the programme?
Revibed has grown from selling directly to customers into a brand stocked by Holland & Barrett and Ocado, with Raspberry & Açaí launching in Sainsbury’s Local stores. We’ve developed our superfood powder range and worked with partners who have helped us reach new customers.
Dragons’ Den was a milestone for Dad and me. Walking into the Den together and receiving Steven Bartlett’s offer of 50,000 pounds was emotional, especially after the challenges we’d faced behind the scenes. Since the episode aired, we’ve heard from people across the country who connected with our story. That support has been extraordinary, and now our job is to turn it into a business that lasts.
6. What advice would you give to founders considering joining an accelerator?
Go in willing to be challenged. Be open about what isn’t working, ask specific questions and act on what you learn.
The relationships can be just as valuable as the programme itself, so stay in touch with the people who help you and look for ways to support other founders too.
You don’t need to arrive with every answer. You do need to be ready to listen, make decisions and keep going when building the business gets difficult.
Thank you so much, Eugene, and huge congratulations again on your £50k Dragons’ Den win. We are excited to celebrate what you have built and the journey ahead for Revibed Drinks.
.png)