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 the 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 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 fewer 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.

The funds raised through this campaign will be used for:

• Supporting the increase in production and the necessary investments for the consolidation of new customers;
• Acquisition of fermentation tanks and other important tools for productivity gains.

This is the promoter's fourth campaign following three successful ones: the first (€9,000) to finance the purchase of a 25m2 refrigeration chamber, increasing its storage capacity; the second (€11,000) to increase production capacity; and the third (€25,000) to enable the production of canned Kombuchas for the biggest festivals in Portugal.

The Kombucha market in Portugal continues to grow, as does MAI Kombucha. However, earlier this year, some small artisanal companies in the sector ceased operations. Faced with this scenario, MAI Kombucha is seizing market and investment opportunities to continue its growth process.

Production has been taking place, since 2023, in a 300m2 factory located in Vila do Conde (Porto District). MAI Kombucha needs to be stored cold because it is a live (unpasteurized) beverage, with natural fermentation and without industrial techniques that would alter its benefits. After natural gas is produced inside the bottle, cold stabilizes 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 5000 safety bottles was avoided.

Responsible production: 98% of the ingredients used in producing kombucha are organic. In addition, 90% come from the Iberian Peninsula, demonstrating 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 to identify improvements and publish 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. In 2023, MAI produced 12 thousand units in average, and forecasts the production of 16 thousand in 2024.

Contribution to the Sustainable
Development Goals

Sustainable Development Goals

Financial viability

Download the Financial Statements for the promoter here

Download Key Investment Information Sheet

Guarantees

Loans granted to the promoter PAUSA ÉPICA, LDA by investors will have the following guarantees, provided for in the loan agreements associated with the campaign:

• Personal guarantee from the major shareholder Gonçalo Campos                                                       

    

The Promoter

About PAUSA ÉPICA - LDA

The name behind MAI Kombucha is Gonçalo Campos. Gonçalo is 31 years old, was born in Portugal, but grew up in Rio de Janeiro. It was in Rio that he started working after finishing his degree in Business Management. He worked for more than 4 years in a Brazilian communication company, always with the dream of one day traveling around the world.

It was during this three-year trip that he discovered the Kombucha Universe and gained inspiration for another dream: to return to the country where he was born and spread "the drink for good". In September 2019 he returned to Portugal with the challenge of turning that dream into a reality. MAI now has over 100 regular clients. 

After 6 months of a lot of testing and a lot of feedback, he created a special Kombucha. Some time later, he also developed the Kombucha Kit. So far, he has helped nearly 1,100 people start their own production at home.

The company has its operations in Leça da Palmeira, in the Porto metropolitan area, but delivers throughout Portugal and Spain and has two more full-time employees, in addition to Gonçalo.

Some of Goparity's board members are indirect and minority shareholders of MAI Kombucha (24%).

The team

Gonçalo Campos

Founder

Born in Portugal but raised in Rio de Janeiro. After completing a degree in Business Management, he worked for over 4 years at a Brazilian communication company. He dreamed of creating a company that would contribute to the positive transformation of the beverage industry, and in 2020, MAI Kombucha was born.

Paula Galvanini

Fermentation Specialist

A natural chef and nutritionist, specialized in healthy cuisine for events and retreats. With experience in renowned vegan and vegetarian restaurants, she has become an enthusiast of fermented foods. Over the past 4 years, she has dedicated herself to creating a kombucha brand in Lisbon and is now joining forces with MAI Kombucha with the same mission of spreading the culture of the wellness beverage!

Francina Tini

Production Manager

Fran is with the company since the beginning and managed to increase production from 100 bottles/month to 20,000 in 3 years.

Business Model

Updates

2024-09-24

The project is being implemented

The funds raised through this campaign are still being used by the promoter for cash flow to support the increase in production and acquisition and consolidation of customers.

MAI Kombucha is growing at 40% this year, and the loan is essential to support that growth, upgrading and maintaining their operations at an increased production volume. One key indicator of this growth was MAI’s first purchase of pallets in large-scale, which demonstrates MAI’s financial robustness while it also ensures better profit margin.

Apart from the funding goal of this campaign, MAI Kombucha keeps focusing on their sustainable growth. The products used in the kombucha production are all organic and regional – the only exception is the green tea, which comes from China as local options didn't meet their requirements. And MAI has a circular system in place for the return and reuse of their 750ml bottles - in 2024 they are aiming to reach 5,000 returned bottles.

MAI has received the Great Taste awards for their kombuchas in two favorite flavors: Turmeric and Ginger Hibiscus, attesting to their quality with one of the world’s most prestigious food and drink accreditation.

Use the discount code MAI EVOLUTION for MAI Kombucha’s beverages and kits for your own production at https://maikombucha.pt/ and follow them on social media https://www.instagram.com/mai.kombucha/.