The soft drink manufacturing industry in the US is a vibrant sector known for its refreshing products, including sodas, juices, and flavored waters. Major companies like The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo dominate the market, but there's also a growing influx of innovative startups. This trend towards healthier and more sustainable options is reshaping consumer preferences, as many are seeking beverages that balance taste and nutrition. Furthermore, advancements in production technology and marketing campaigns are propelling the industry forward, ensuring it remains a formidable player in the global beverage landscape, contributing to both the economy and household enjoyment.


The investors featured in this list span various types, including corporate giants, private equity firms, and venture capitalists, mostly based in key US locations like New York and California. Founded over several decades, these investors vary in size, with many managing hundreds or thousands of employees. In 2024, they collectively made numerous significant investments. Companies like PepsiCo and Advent International showcase a blend of established corporate investment strategies with innovative venture funding in the soft drink sector, reflecting the industry's dynamic nature and potential for growth.


Top 13 Soft Drink Manufacturing Investors in the US


1. Sosv

  • Website: sosv.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1995
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 170
  • LinkedIn: sosv

SOSV is a venture capital firm founded in 1995, based in the United States, that specializes in funding and supporting deep tech startups through its development programs. The firm provides venture capital investment and resources to help startups grow and succeed in various sectors, including health and climate technology. Notably, Sosv has been involved in several funding rounds for Tru, a beverage company, including a Series A funding round in February 2023 where Tru raised $6.5 million, as well as earlier investments in 2021, 2019, and 2015. These transactions highlight Sosv's engagement in the beverage sector, particularly with a focus on innovative companies like Tru, which aligns with the soft drink manufacturing industry.


2. The Coca-Cola Company


The Coca-Cola Company is a beverage manufacturer based in Atlanta, Georgia, known for its extensive portfolio of soft drinks, juices, and other beverages. Founded in 1892, the company has established a global presence, serving consumers with a variety of refreshing drink options while emphasizing sustainability and health. Coca-Cola operates through a well-established distribution network to meet diverse consumer needs. Notable transactions include the acquisition of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa for $3.15 billion in 2016, which significantly expanded their operations in the African market. Additionally, the acquisition of Fuze Beverage in 2007 allowed Coca-Cola to enhance its offerings in the juice and tea segments. Other significant acquisitions include Aujan Industries, which bolstered their juice portfolio in the Middle East, and the historic acquisition of Minute Maid in 1960, which has been integral to their beverage lineup. These strategic investments underscore Coca-Cola's commitment to maintaining its leadership in the soft drink manufacturing industry.


3. CircleUp

  • Website: circleup.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2012
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • LinkedIn: circleup

CircleUp is a financial services company based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2012. They empower consumer brands through funding and support, offering business loans and equity financing. CircleUp leverages their Helio technology platform to provide data insights that help entrepreneurs make informed decisions. Their primary customers are businesses in the consumer packaged goods sector seeking capital to grow. Notably, CircleUp has been involved in several relevant transactions in the beverage space, including a $10 million Series D investment in REBBL, a company known for its functional beverages, and a $10 million Series A investment in Sanzo, a brand focused on Asian-inspired sparkling water. They also participated in a funding round for Rowdy Energy, a better-for-you energy drink brand, showcasing their active role in the soft drink manufacturing industry.


4. Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund)

  • Website: av.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2023
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 258
  • LinkedIn: deep-tech-fund-av-focused-fund

Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund) is a venture capital firm based in Manchester, New Hampshire, founded in 2023. It provides accredited investors and institutions with access to professionally-managed, diversified venture portfolios, leveraging a network of over 10,000 investors to connect them with high-quality investment opportunities in the startup ecosystem. The fund has been involved in several notable transactions, including a $20 million investment in High Brew Coffee, a company specializing in ready-to-drink coffee beverages, and multiple rounds of funding for Oobli, which focuses on innovative beverage solutions. These investments highlight the fund's engagement in the beverage sector, making it a relevant player in the soft drink manufacturing landscape.


5. PepsiCo

  • Website: pepsico.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Harrison, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1898
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 6
  • LinkedIn: pepsico

PepsiCo, Inc. is a leading food and beverage company founded in 1898, headquartered in Harrison, New York, USA. With a workforce of over 10,000 employees, PepsiCo operates globally, offering a diverse range of products that include popular beverage brands like Pepsi Cola, Tropicana, and IZZE. The company has made significant investments in the soft drink manufacturing sector, highlighted by its acquisitions of Tropicana Beverage Group in 1998, SodaStream in 2018 for $3.2 billion, and the recent acquisition of Poppi in 2025 for $1.95 billion. Additionally, PepsiCo acquired IZZE Beverage Company, known for its all-natural sparkling fruit juices, in 2006. These transactions demonstrate PepsiCo's strategic focus on expanding its beverage portfolio and enhancing its presence in the soft drink market.


6. L Catterton

  • Website: lcatterton.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1989
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 23
  • LinkedIn: l-catterton

L Catterton is a private equity firm specializing in investment management, focusing on consumer brands across various sectors. Founded in 1989, the firm partners with middle market companies and high-growth enterprises, providing capital and strategic guidance to enhance brand equity and market presence. Notably, L Catterton led a Series B funding round for Remedy Drinks, a provider of shelf-stable, no-sugar beverages, which highlights their commitment to the soft drink sector. This investment aims to accelerate Remedy's growth in both US and international markets. Additionally, L Catterton has a diverse portfolio that includes investments in various consumer-focused companies, demonstrating their expertise in driving growth and innovation within their investments.


7. 500 Global

  • Website: 500.co
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 98
  • LinkedIn: 500-startups

500 Global is a venture capital firm and startup accelerator based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2010. The firm specializes in investing in early-stage technology companies, providing funding, mentorship, and resources to help founders scale their businesses. In addition to their focus on technology, 500 Global has also invested in companies within the beverage industry, such as 'being juice', which raised $1,000,000 in a seed round on January 15, 2025. This investment highlights their interest in innovative startups in the soft drink sector. Other notable transactions include investments in companies like Veluga and Copper Cow Coffee, although these are more aligned with coffee and juice rather than traditional soft drinks. Nevertheless, their engagement in the beverage space indicates a broader interest that could encompass soft drink manufacturing.


8. Kkr

  • Website: kkr.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1976
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 74
  • LinkedIn: kkr

KKR & Co. Inc. is a prominent investment firm based in New York, specializing in private equity, credit, infrastructure, and real estate. Founded in 1976, KKR has established itself as a global leader in asset management, providing tailored investment solutions to institutional and individual clients. Among their notable transactions, KKR signed a definitive agreement to acquire a majority stake in Refresco Group B.V. on February 22, 2022. Refresco is recognized as a leading global beverage solutions provider, which aligns KKR's investment strategy with the soft drink manufacturing industry. This acquisition, along with their involvement in other beverage-related investments, underscores KKR's commitment to supporting and growing businesses within the beverage sector, including soft drinks.


9. Collaborative Fund

  • Website: collabfund.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2010
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 29
  • LinkedIn: collaborative-fund

Collaborative Fund is a venture capital investment firm based in New York, founded in 2010. The firm focuses on backing innovative companies across various sectors, including renewable energy, consumer goods, and health technology. They provide financial support and strategic guidance to entrepreneurs and startups aiming to create positive societal and environmental impacts. Notably, Collaborative Fund has invested in Olipop, a California-based prebiotic beverage maker, which raised $10 million in a Series A funding round with their participation. They also led a funding round for Eat the Change, a company expanding into the ready-to-drink tea category, further showcasing their interest in the beverage sector. Their investment strategy is centered around identifying businesses that align with their mission of pushing the world forward, particularly in the consumer goods space, which includes soft drinks.


10. Gaingels

  • Website: gaingels.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Burlington, Vermont, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2015
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 60
  • LinkedIn: gaingels

Gaingels is a venture capital firm founded in 2015, based in Burlington, Vermont, dedicated to investing in companies with diverse leadership. The firm provides capital and support to startups, particularly those led by underrepresented groups, to foster diversity and inclusion in the innovation economy. Gaingels has been involved in several notable transactions in the beverage sector, including a $6 million Series A investment in nexba, a beverage company, and participation in funding rounds for AVEC, a premium mixer brand, and Aura Bora, a maker of sparkling waters. These investments highlight Gaingels' commitment to the beverage industry, particularly in the soft drink manufacturing context, as they aim to enhance brand awareness and operational capabilities for these innovative companies.


11. The Riverside Company


The Riverside Company is a private equity investment firm based in New York, specializing in providing flexible capital solutions and strategic guidance to smaller middle-market businesses across various industries. Founded in 1988, Riverside manages a diverse portfolio of over 140 companies globally. Notably, they have made significant investments in the beverage sector, including the acquisition of La Galvanina, an Italian producer of water and juices, and a stake in National Flavors Inc., which develops flavors for food and beverage products. These transactions highlight Riverside's commitment to enhancing growth in the beverage industry, making them a relevant player in the soft drink manufacturing space.


12. IFC - International Finance Corporation

  • Website: ifc.org
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Washington, D.C., District Of Columbia, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1956
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 107
  • LinkedIn: ifclinkedin

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is a not-for-profit organization established in 1956, focused on private sector development in emerging markets. Based in Washington, D.C., IFC provides investment, advisory, and asset management services to businesses and financial institutions, facilitating access to capital and expertise to promote economic growth. IFC operates in over 100 countries, addressing poverty challenges and fostering sustainable development. Notably, IFC has made significant investments in the soft drink manufacturing sector, including a recent $250 million debt investment in Coca-Cola Icecek, which underscores its role in supporting the growth of major soft drink companies. This investment aligns with IFC's mission to enhance private sector development and economic resilience in emerging markets.


13. Advent


Advent International Corporation is a private equity firm founded in 1984, based in Boston, Massachusetts. The firm specializes in buyouts and investments across various sectors, focusing on long-term value creation for its portfolio companies. Advent has been involved in several notable transactions in the beverage industry, including the acquisition of Devin JSC, Bulgaria's leading bottled water company, which highlights their interest in the soft drink sector. They also participated in the funding of Paper Boat, a brand known for its non-carbonated drinks, showcasing their engagement with beverage companies. Additionally, Advent's acquisition of Noosa Yoghurt, while primarily a yoghurt company, indicates their broader interest in the food and beverage space. Overall, Advent International's strategic investments in beverage-related companies position them as a relevant player in the soft drink manufacturing industry.



Soft Drink Manufacturing Insights: Key Investors in the US


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
SosvUnited States (USA)51-2001995170
The Coca-Cola CompanyAtlanta, Georgia, United States (USA)10001+18922
CircleUpSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)51-20020120
Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund)Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA)51-2002023258
PepsiCoHarrison, New York, United States (USA)10001+18986
L CattertonUnited States (USA)201-500198923
500 GlobalSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)201-500201098
KkrNew York, New York, United States (USA)1001-5000197674
Collaborative FundNew York, New York, United States (USA)11-50201029
GaingelsBurlington, Vermont, United States (USA)11-50201560
The Riverside CompanyNew York, New York, United States (USA)201-500198812
IFC - International Finance CorporationWashington, D.C., District Of Columbia, United States (USA)1001-50001956107
AdventBoston, Massachusetts, United States (USA)501-1000198417


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