Sodamore

Short description

Sodamore is the first Italian brand of premium non-alcoholic beverages designed to redefine the joy of spending time together. In an increasingly hyperconnected world overwhelmed by stimuli, alcohol is often used as a quick fix, excluding those who choose a mindful lifestyle—especially younger people. The answer is a portfolio of natural beverages free from refined sugars and alcohol: three soft drinks (Original Love, Cola Spark, Summer Crush), two non-alcoholic beers (BeerLover Bionda and Rossa), and a dealcoholized wine (WhiteLover). All positioned in the premium segment for different consumption occasions throughout the day. The competitive advantage lies not only in the product but in the message: “Life takes care of getting you drunk.” Simple, relatable, and contemporary language that generated 8 million organic reach, 30 million views, and a 20% engagement rate on social media. Active distribution in over 1,000 retail locations, including Eataly, All’Antico Vinaio, Poke House, Signorvino, ENILive Cafè, and Autogrill. The vision: to demonstrate that conviviality and health are not mutually exclusive and to build a new-generation European brand.

Business & Revenue Model

• Target customer: Premium HoReCa channel (restaurants, bars, trendy venues) and select retail (large-scale retail and travel)
• Geographic focus: Italy and Europe
• End consumer: Primarily Millennials and Gen Z, who prioritize health, experience, and ingredient quality
• Willingness to pay: Seeking an alternative to alcohol that doesn’t make them feel like “second-class citizens” in social settings
• Revenue model: Direct sale of the physical product (no subscriptions or licenses)
  • Four sales channels: Direct HoReCa customers, regional distributors, select large-scale retail, direct e-commerce
• Contracts: No fixed term — revenue from ongoing reorders (monthly for direct customers, agreed frequency for distributors)
• Expected margins:
  • 2026: 38% of revenue
  • 2027: 48%
  • 2028: 52%
• Margin growth: Driven by volume and production cost optimization
• Scalability strategy: Consolidation of HoReCa network → regional distributors → national retail chains → international expansion

Traction

• Revenue for the last 12 months: €35K (May–December 2025, first 8 months of operation) + €95–100K (January–April 2026) = approximately €130–135K rolling
• Growth %: Annualized run rate for January–April 2026 approx. €285–300K, with an expected upward trend throughout the year
• 2025 Growth: 2025 operating run rate ~ €52K → approx. +390%
• Active customers: 35, primarily premium HoReCa, specialty retail, and quick-casual
• Retention/churn: Validated by reorder frequency from top retailers (All’Antico Vinaio, Poke House, Signorvino
• Presence: Brand present in over 1,000 active points of sale across HoReCa, specialty retail, and travel channels
• Key partnerships: Eataly, All’Antico Vinaio, Poke House, Signorvino, Autogrill, ENILive Café, Cippone & Di Bitetto (Puglia/Basilicata)
• 2026 revenue target: €450K with 460,000 units sold

Roadmap and Development Plan

2026

• Consolidation in Italy
• Launch in select large-scale retail chains (pilot in Piedmont/Lombardy, 50 points of sale, 3 SKUs)
• Rollout of ENILive Café at 357 points of sale
• Onboarding of 3–5 regional distributors
• 2026 revenue target: €450K

2027

• Commercial expansion with the goal of establishing a network of 15–20 active distributors covering the entire HoReCa sector nationwide
• Consolidation of the national large-scale retail sector
• Launch of new premium products
• Funding round planned for Q2 2027
• Allocation of funds: consumer marketing, strengthening the sales team, initial expansion into export markets (France, Germany, Benelux)
• 2027 revenue target: €1.5–2 million

2028

• Internationalization and Infrastructure
• Active exports to 3–5 European markets through local distributors
• Portfolio expansion with new products
• Structural reduction in COGS
• 2028 revenue target: €3.5–4 million

Funding need & use of funds

Fundraising Round: Seed Stage — €500K in equity, of which over €300K has been raised

Future fundraising target: €1.2M, with the round opening in 2026 and a target closing date of late 2027

Use of funds:

• Marketing with European market expansion
• Expanding the sales and operations team
• R&D

Team & Cap Table

Cap table:

ESOP: None formally established

Team:

The team brings together complementary expertise in brand building, communications, F&B operations, and the wine and spirits market.

• Luca Argentero – Co-founder & Brand Ambassador. A prominent actor and entrepreneur in Italy, he is an active investor in startups and the food and restaurant industry. He brings visibility, credibility, and access to a mass audience, in line with the brand’s values of authenticity.
• Giovanni Rastrelli – Co-founder & CEO. Former CEO of EDIT Torino (2016–2022), a gastronomic hub with over 70 employees. Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe 2019 (F&B). Expertise in branding, positioning, and concept creation in the consumer sector.
• Francesca Argentero – Co-founder & Creative Director. Founder of INSIDE, a graphic design and marketing strategy agency. Creative director for international events with collaborations in the sports sector. Leads the brand’s visual identity and communication.
• Emanuele Boero – Co-founder & Commercial Advisor. Founder of EBW Consulting and Vinoland (three wine shops in the Langhe region). Background in the Big Four consulting firms. Expertise in the wine & spirits sector, commercial strategy, and retail development.
• Michele Corino – Co-founder & Product Advisor. Degree in Viticulture and Enology, AIS sommelier, international wine expert for WineSearcher in New Zealand. Director of BCB Vino e Spiriti and Vinoland. Technical expertise on the product and insight into the wine & spirits market.

Social/environmental issue and impact

Problem: 

Alcohol consumption remains a deeply ingrained mechanism of social inclusion, systematically excluding those who choose not to drink for reasons of health, pregnancy, sports, religion, or lifestyle. This exclusion is particularly acute among young people (Millennials and Gen Z), who are most aware of alcohol’s impact on physical and mental health.

Impact:

• Recipes made with natural ingredients and no refined sugars for healthier, body-friendly beverages
• Active promotion of a mindful, alcohol-free lifestyle through organic communication (reaching tens of millions of people)
• Packaging made entirely of cardboard, glue-free and plastic-free
• Upcycling of ingredient waste
• Benefit Corporation status with a focus on people, health, and the planet
• Alignment with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)
• Alignment with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)

Financial Structure (equity, debt, grant)

Equity raised to date (Seed round currently underway):

• La Gemma Venture S.R.L.: € 250K lead investor (joining in December 2025)
• Pierpaolo Spollon: € 50K

Debt:

• Unsecured loan: €105,000 (60-month term, 6-month grace period, starting in September 2025)
• Bank credit line: € 50K (estendibile)

Member loans:

• Total shareholder financing: approximately €50k

Grant:

• No one has been confirmed as of today
• Application in progress: S3 Piedmont Line 1 call for proposals (under review)