Ben Branson, founder of the hugely successful zero-ABV spirit brand Seedlip, has launched what is claimed to be the world's first non-alcoholic venture studio - Pollen Projects.
The studio is designed to provide support to new businesses and products, focusing initially on brands developed by Branson before inviting additional partners to collaborate within the studio. Branson will be joined by former Seedlip colleague Emma Wykes, as COO, and Dan Hatton, a Diageo veteran of over 16 years, as founding partner.
Speaking on his LinkedIn profile, Branson commented on the new business launch: 'POLLEN PROJECTS is the world's first venture studio dedicated to the non-alcoholic category. The studio is an independent brand & business development company, shaping the second wave of moderation by helping people to drink better through a range of independent, disruptive projects.
'Or put better. I've been in non-alc for 10 years now, it's still just getting started & i want to help drive this movement forward & further. [coz let's be honest there's a lot of rubbish in this space & people don't like drinking rubbish]'
Branson founded the Seedlip brand back in 2015 before selling a minority stake to Hatton's then company Diageo. His latest drink's brand and Pollen Projects' first product is called Seasn, formed of two 0% cocktail bitters - Seasn Light and Seasn Dark - each of which can be used in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
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