Performance tea challenger Mission has raised almost £1m from angel investors to support its rapid growth.
The business plans to put the latest funding into scaling customer acquisition and expanding product development, including growing its range of functional powdered superblend drinks, including recently launched Matcha Superblend and Sleep Superblend. It is also readying a launch of product collaborations with Formula 1 team Alpine, driver Pierre Gasly and a world top 10 tennis player later this year.
Mission is close to hitting £3m in annualise revenues following year-on-year growth of 300%. Last month, the brand scored a listing for three of its tea SKUs in 250 Tesco stores across the UK as the retailer shook up its hot beverage offering.
Founder Tom Whittle said the brand was tapping into a growing demand for healthier, more consistent energy.
“For decades the default performance drink has basically been coffee or highly processed sports drinks that deliver a quick hit but often leave people crashing later,” he added.
“We believe there is a better way. People want energy that lasts all day, sharper focus when it matters and better sleep when it is time to switch off.
“That is the mission we are on, building a new category of natural performance drinks designed to help people achieve extraordinary things.”
Mission launched in 2019 after Whittle came up with the idea for the business following an endurance expedition cycling the length of South America, where he first encountered yerba mate and other local herbal teas, in 2016.
He developed Mission alongside nutritionists and master blenders before testing the new drinks by running the length of Iceland, completing 17 marathons in 10 days and setting a Guinness World Record.
Mission now supplies a range of hot and cold brew teas made using natural ingredients, such as matcha, lion’s mane and magnesium. Its functional drinks are used by 12 Premier League football teams, six Formula 1 teams, more than 100 athletes and in excess of 100,000 customers.
The latest £850k fundraising from angel backers follows previous rounds totalling £2m, which included investment from F1 driver Pierre Gasly, television presenter Jake Humphrey, and former England cricket captains Michael Vaughan and Heather Knight.
Mission is continuing to explore potential additional strategic angel investment for later in the year as the brand continues to scale.
No comments yet