Description

Based in Porto, MAI Kombucha is a company that produces and sells kombucha, a drink of Chinese origin with more than 2000 years, made through the fermentation of the green tea herb (Camellia sinensis). The consumption of kombucha has been associated with beneficial effects on health of its consumers, namely in the improvement of the intestinal microbiota and of the immune system. This may be due to the presence of B vitamins (B1, B2, B6, B12), vitamin C and probiotics.

MAI Kombucha was conceived by Gonçalo Campos, who had the dream of creating a company that would contribute to the positive transformation of the beverage industry, which was developed without thinking about the health of the planet and the consumer. This is how, in 2020, MAI was born, with the dream of contributing to a world with less soft drinks and more kombuchas, less preservatives and more life, less plastic and more nature, a more natural and less artificial world. The brand was born in Gonçalo's kitchen and, since then, has gone through an intense process of evolution and growth.

MAI Kombucha's mission is to spread the culture of kombucha in Portugal and Spain, through the production and marketing of an authentic drink and the dissemination of knowledge about fermentation for home production. The purpose of the start-up is to inspire positive experiences in people's lives and to be an agent of change in the food industry and in consumer habits.

The first phase of the project is already completed: developing the brand and the product - a truly living, healthy kombucha, made with organic ingredients and naturally carbonated.

The second phase is now underway: industrialization and responsible growth, respecting product principles and quality. Currently, production takes place in a 100m2 factory in Leça da Palmeira (Porto Metropolitan Area). The company also rents a small warehouse in Matosinhos.

In July 2020, the startup sold 200L of kombuchas. In the same month of the following year, the value increased to 1,500L. Already this summer of 2022, the promoter expects to exceed 3,000 L sold per month.

The funds raised through this campaign will be used to finance the purchase of a 25 m2 cold room, increasing the company's storage capacity.

MAI's Kombucha needs to be stored in the cold as it is a live drink (not pasteurized), with natural fermentation and without industrial techniques that detract from its benefits. After the natural gas is produced inside the bottle, the cold stabilizes the fermentation and maintains its quality and flavor.

The Impact

Promotion of circular consumption: MAI Kombucha has a reverse logistics service for the reuse of bottles. Through this system, the waste of 2,500 safety bottles was avoided.

Responsible production: 98% of the ingredients used producing kombucha are organic. In addition, 90% come from the Iberian Peninsula, which demonstrates the company's care for local and environmentally friendly resources. Furthermore, the management of waste from the production process is done efficiently, through the reuse of materials, such as packaging cards; the composting of biodegradable waste; and the selective recycling of the remaining materials. The company has as a near-future goal to calculate the amount of waste production for the purpose of identifying improvements and publishing a sustainability report.

Promotion of a healthier lifestyle: kombucha is naturally carbonated and non-preservative, presenting itself as a healthy alternative to soft drinks (drinks rich in sugar associated with obesity and the development of diabetes). This beverage is thus associated with benefits for intestinal health and the immune system.

Contribution to the Sustainable
Development Goals

Sustainable Development Goals

Financial viability

MAI Kombucha began its production in 2020 and has been increasing sales since then. Its growth strategy is based on optimising investments to ensure capacity to sustain its development. In addition to the focus on increasing productivity to scale up production, there is great concern about maintaining the quality of the beverage.

In 2021, the company launched a crowdfunding campaign to fund the purchase of a new semi-automatic filling machine, which has allowed the average kombucha production to be tripled.

Currently, the company plans on buying equipment to sustain sales growth by increasing and scaling up production. The funds raised through this campaign will be used to purchase a cold storage chamber, which will allow for increased storage capacity, the main obstacle to increased production at present. With greater production capacity, the company hopes to continue expanding its sales volume. It is expected that this loan is paid back using proceeds from the company's future sales. 

Download Key Investment Information Sheet

Guarantees

Pledge of the cold storage chamber.

The Promoter

Business Model

Updates