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Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Cove Soda produces sugar-free probiotic functional beverages formulated with natural ingredients, plant sweeteners, and daily vitamins to target health-focused consumers. The enterprise operates both a direct consumer and wholesale business model, distributing its low-calorie soft drinks to over 7,000 retail locations across the United States and Canada. The brand's beverage portfolio is currently stocked by major national retailers including Costco, Target, and Whole Foods, while also maintaining a strategic commercial distribution partnership with Keurig Dr Pepper Canada. To finance its ongoing North American retail expansion and new flavor development, Cove Soda secured a $15 million Series A funding round led by Vanterra Ventures, bringing its total raised venture capital to nearly $20 million. The functional beverage company was originally founded in 2016 by brothers John MacLellan and Ryan MacLellan.
Cove Soda has raised $15.0M across 1 funding round.
Cove Soda has raised $15.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Cove Soda has raised $15.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $15.0M Series A in November 2025.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 1, 2025 | $15M Series A | — | Northpond Ventures, Ryan Tedder | Announced |
Cove Soda has raised $15.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Cove Soda's investors include Northpond Ventures, Ryan Tedder.
Cove Soda is a Canadian beverage company producing zero-sugar, probiotic-infused sodas that serve health-conscious consumers seeking healthier alternatives to traditional carbonated soft drinks.[1][2][4] Founded in 2016 (originally as Cove Kombucha), it offers organic, non-GMO, vegan-friendly drinks with nostalgic flavors like cherry, crafted from all-natural ingredients without aspartame, sucralose, artificial colors, or high-fructose corn syrup.[1][3][4] The company targets everyday soda drinkers looking for functional benefits like probiotics for gut health, now available in over 7,000 retail locations across Canada and the US, including Costco, Target, Whole Foods, and Sprouts, with partnerships like Keurig Dr Pepper accelerating distribution.[2][3] Cove has raised $4.77M total previously, including a recent $15M Series A led by Vanterra Ventures (with investors like Palm Tree Crew, celebrities Diplo and Kygo, and athletes), plus $2.5M from Palm Tree Crew, fueling North American expansion, new flavors, and hiring.[1][2][5]
Cove Soda was founded by brothers John MacLellan (CEO) and Ryan MacLellan (Chief Innovation Officer), starting in their mother's kitchen around 2016-2017 (sources vary slightly on exact year).[1][2][3][4] Ryan's physics background informed product formulation, while their shared passion for healthier beverages led to initial kombucha at Halifax farmers' markets, quickly gaining local fans.[2][3][4] Pivotal moments included retail debuts at Sobeys in Atlantic Canada, nationwide rollout at Costco and Whole Foods, a pandemic pivot to canned 10-packs, and a 2023 rebrand from kombucha to zero-sugar probiotic sodas with bold flavors.[1][3] Early traction built through community focus and media buzz, evolving from niche kombucha (formerly Cove Kombucha) to a functional soda brand stocked in major US retailers like Erewhon, Target, and Whole Foods.[1][2][3]
Cove Soda rides the functional beverage wave, blending consumer health trends with soda's mass appeal in a $250B market ripe for disruption amid rising demand for low-sugar, gut-health options post-pandemic.[2][6] Timing aligns with wellness booms—probiotic sodas tap nostalgia while addressing sugar concerns, outpacing legacy giants via agile retail partnerships and direct-to-consumer vibes.[2][3] Market forces like e-commerce (Amazon) and big-box logistics favor its North American push, influencing the ecosystem by proving indie brands can secure nationwide distribution and celebrity buzz, pressuring incumbents to innovate on health.[1][2][5]
Cove Soda's trajectory points to aggressive US dominance, with $15M+ fueling new flavors, talent hires, and deeper retail penetration—expect 2026 milestones like broader Keurig Dr Pepper rollout and potential category leadership in functional CSDs.[2][5][6] Trends like personalized nutrition, zero-sugar mandates, and celeb-endorsed wellness will amplify growth, evolving Cove from farmers' market darling to household name. This positions it to redefine soda for health-aware generations, much like its kitchen origins disrupted kombucha—watch for IPO whispers as momentum builds.[2][3]
