INVEST
min $100
Notable Angel
Raised $25k or more from a notable angel investor
Hi friends! So happy you’re here! My name is Fay, I’m the founder and CEO of Bonbuz and I’m here to tell you why Bonbuz exists, why the world needs it more than ever, and why it’s never been a better time to invest in our first community round!
For many of us, alcohol is the glue that holds our world together. It’s a social ritual inextricably linked to going out, having fun, and letting loose. And, let's face it, we all have an innate desire to get high, especially me. We’re hardwired for cheap dopamine hits that lead to a door of transcendence whether it’s drugs, sex, alcohol, rock n roll. The vicious cycle is unsustainable, depleting, painful and shortens life span...
Why should our social life be built around a poison? Why should we face fewer social options if we choose not to consume a potent, addictive drug? Why should people who choose to abstain — for any reason — have to give up the feeling of integration and connection that alcohol provides in our culture?
My journey stemmed from an awakening: alcohol's impact on my well-being was unsustainable. As women, we feel more, and are more sensitized to alcohol's effects on our bodies.
When I was 13, I learned something: If I drank alcohol when I felt uncomfortable, I didn’t feel so uncomfortable anymore.
For about 20 years, the equation worked. It brought me wild nights, risky parties, debauched encounters, and over-the-top fun. On the outside, I had everything I wanted — great friends, exciting boyfriends, a successful career — and I thought that drinking and drugs only made things better.
Until, one day, that equation stopped working. It wasn’t only the physical hangover (although those were miserable, and getting more miserable every year). The mental, spiritual, and emotional wreckage was even worse. After a night out drinking, I’d waste days wallowing in self-loathing, self-deprecation, and a sense of disconnection with who I knew I really was and what I wanted to accomplish with my life.
I knew something had to change. But the saying “old habits die hard” is a cliché for a reason. For years, I went on month-long abstinences, tee-totaling my way through Dry January and Sober October. But that wasn’t enough. Once the month was over, I would quickly fall into those pesky old habits. I’d grab a beer or two, or five, or fifteen, depending on where the night took me. At some level, I knew that the turbulent effects of alcohol were poisoning my life, but a little voice inside still whispered, “Girls just want to have fun, Fay. Relax.”
Finally, the eve of New Year’s 2018, I had an awakening. I was nestled up in the mountains of Northern California at a yoga and meditation retreat. At an intention-setting seminar, I eagerly cranked out a laundry list of 10 overly ambitious goals I wanted to achieve in 2019. The third item on my list was to quit drinking. The booze had to go first if I wanted to live up to my ultimate potential.
I started to wonder if it might be possible to re-create the role of alcohol without trying to change the fundamental structures of our society — the restaurant, the bar, the club, the party — structures that have been in place for hundreds, if not thousands, of years.
So I decided to do something that sounded crazy at first. I decided to make a better drink. I wasn’t interested in just replacing alcohol. I wanted to improve it. I wanted to make something that not only tasted great, but actually offered a new kind of alchemical sensory experience that alcohol gives us, without the toxins and without the hangover.
Bonbuz is one of the first of its kind to bring consumers the future of drinking. In the last 3 years, it has become a leading pioneer in both the alcohol alternative and functional categories to become a full day well-being solution for many.
The products are beneficial for all hours of the day – when you wake up and need a boost, when you’re dragging at 2pm and can’t focus, when you need an extra jolt before going to the gym, when you’re at a restaurant and want to try a complex cocktail (but still want to be able to drive home), when you’re smashing it on the dancefloor and want to meet new faces, or when you’ve had a hard day at work and you need to drink something to help you cool off.
The brand speaks to those who want to break away from social stigmas. Those who want to freely express themselves. Those who are drinking what they want to drink, not just something that everyone else is drinking.
Today’s health and wellness trends strongly indicate a rapid decline in alcohol consumption across the millennial and gen-z demographics, with Bloomberg’s recent featuring an article validating that gen-z’ers are looking for the buzz but not the hangover, further fueling the nonalcoholic spirits boom.
Outside of the gen-z population, millennials are prioritizing intentional consumption choices with 65% of Americans aged 25-44 drinking less alcohol, marking a new era in consumption.
With Americans increasingly switching their consumption habits to things that will help with mental health, stress, brain power, and energy, demand for functional beverages is exploding.
Alcohol-Free Functional Spirits (energizing) - 2 multi-serve SKUs that work as a substitute for alcohol in your favorite cocktail, for people who want to loosen up and be social without the alcohol.
Sparkling Tonics (Q2 2023 launch) – 2 ready to drink cans that are medium-bodied, effervescent, all-natural energy for the midday-pick-me-up.
·Alcohol-Free Wind down Aperitivos (calming) (Q4 2024 launch) - 2 multi-serve SKUs that act as a substitute for an alcohol-free spritz to calm the nervous system and wind down at the end of the day.
Bonbuz has seen strong annual growth since its inception in January 2021, with a rate consistently over 100% each year. Sales landed at $380K in 2023, and we are forecasting to land at $600K in 2024, driven by incremental retail placement and a sales spike due to our participation in a national TV show.
We have multiple opportunities within the B-2-B channel that are planning to come to fruition in 2025. In addition, we aim to expand our portfolio with two new multi-serve SKUs, drive sales in the D-2-C channel through paid social (primarily TikTok), build strategic partnerships with influencers, and expand our distribution network across our highest-indexing regions. With this, we are forecasting our sales to be $1.0M in 2025, $4.0M in 2026, and $10.M in 2027, as we continue our expansion into the Food Service channel and on a global scale – our secondary focus will be on Europe and the Middle East.
We are currently raising a million dollars for our seed round (enhanced portfolio, increased salesforce, product optimization and ambassadors), with a target of raising $124K on Wefunder, primarily for e-commerce and wholesale growth and promotional strategies to raise our brand awareness. We expect this to significantly benefit growth across all our sales channels and use that momentum to build a data-driven sales story for acceptance into larger retailers in 2026 and beyond.
**Forecasts are not guaranteed. Future Projections are not guaranteed**
With Wefunder, we're offering a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE). These will convert your investment to stock at a later date if the company raises a "priced round" from major investors, most often venture capitalists. At this point, you are a shareholder owning equity, and you earn a return if the value of that stock goes up over time, and you are able to sell it. You will be able to sell your equity if/when the company is a) acquired by another entity, or b) IPO. You might also make your money back when the company is profitable, and if it starts returning dividends back to investors. Review our disclosures for more details - future projections are not guaranteed.
It has been a dream and a vision to create a company that is changing the way the world drinks and cheers’s, that is founded and operated by a strong, diverse set of women. Having perspectives from so many different parts of the world from humans who have been uniquely shaped by their distinct experiences and careers. This brings a level of depth and richness to bonbuz that shapes the direction differently. It’s this expansive mindset that helps mold and build a beverage innovation company that is helping define what the future of drinking looks and feels like.
Bonbuz is not just a product; it's a testament to our unwavering dedication to innovation, well-being, and the relentless pursuit of a buzzy experience that transcends expectations. Join us as we shape the future, one exhilarating discovery at a time.
