Rowdy Mermaid

Rowdy Mermaid is a functional beverage company operating in the wellness market, headquartered in Boulder, Colorado. The company's origin traces back to 2012, when founder Jamba Dunn, a home beer brewer, was inspired by his young daughter to create a beverage she could also enjoy. This led to the development of a kombucha that was designed to be less sugary and less vinegary than conventional options available at the time. The company was named after his daughter's nickname. Dunn's diverse background, which includes studies in Egyptology, coding in Silicon Valley, and work at Rosetta Stone, shaped his research-intensive approach to developing the company's formulas. He identified a gap in the market for a scientifically-backed, function-forward kombucha and launched the company in 2013 with his wife, Erin Donnelly.

The business produces and sells a range of functional beverages, including kombucha, sparkling immunity tonics, and sodas, serving health-conscious consumers. Its business model involves product development, manufacturing, and distribution through a wide network of retailers, including major chains like Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, and Natural Grocers, as well as an e-commerce platform. A significant milestone was the company's acquisition in June 2025 by Next in Natural, a consumer packaged goods investment firm, a move designed to scale operations and expand market reach. Despite the acquisition, Dunn and Donnelly remain in leadership roles as CEO and Customer Growth & Marketing Director, respectively. The company has secured approximately $8.1 million in funding over several rounds, with a key Series A round led by KarpReilly.

Rowdy Mermaid's product lines are centered on the use of functional and sustainably sourced ingredients, such as organic botanicals, adaptogenic mushrooms, herbs, and fruits. A key differentiator is the scientific approach to formulation, with an in-house lab to create beverages that target specific wellness benefits like stress relief, immune support, and cognitive function. For instance, the 'good mood soda' line features Ashwagandha (KSM-66®) to help manage stress, while the kombuchas incorporate ingredients like Lion's Mane mushroom for cognition and L-theanine for serenity. The company emphasizes sustainability by using regenerative tea and sugar and sourcing organic, non-GMO ingredients. Products like 'Rowdy Belly' are inspired by Ayurvedic recipes for digestion, while others like 'Lunar Berry' are formulated for tranquility.

Keywords: functional beverage, kombucha, adaptogenic drinks, wellness beverages, Jamba Dunn, Boulder startup, natural soda, mushroom-based drinks, organic beverages, sustainably sourced ingredients, plant-based medicine, Ashwagandha soda, L-theanine drinks, functional soda, Rowdy Belly, Lion's Mane, Reishi mushroom, Next in Natural, KarpReilly, beverage distribution, health and wellness, consumer packaged goods, CPG, low-sugar drinks, prebiotic beverages