Sparkling water start-up gets backing

Less than 18 months after launching its naturally flavoured sparkling water, Auckland start-up Vista has closed a large investment deal with property developer and investor Kurt Gibbons.

Vista, the brainchild of three Auckland schoolmates turned business partners, was developed in late 2017 to fill a gap in the market for a genuinely healthy beverage.

The sparkling water, available in feijoa, berry and lemon flavours, contains nothing more than carbonated water and natural flavour derived from fruit.

Vista initially attracted the attention of Gibbons through its influencer marketing campaigns, having sent samples of the beverage to his wife (The Crowd Goes Wild presenter Makere Gibbons) and the wives of his close friends Beauden Barrett and Israel Dagg.

Gibbons has committed to a lump sum cash injection and an interest-free line of credit in return for a 25 percent stake.

Gibbons says he was sold on the Vista product as soon as he tasted it. “It’s an incredibly simple product, with minimal ingredients and no hidden surprises. The founders have an impressive work ethic and our personal values are closely aligned, so getting involved in the business was a no-brainer.

“The brand’s potential is huge, with the sparkling water market expanding rapidly as consumers become increasingly health conscious and choose to ditch sugary drinks,” says Gibbons.

www.vistadrinks.co.nz