As known by now, the team of Loonshot Ventures GmbH around Bernhard-Stefan Müller dedicates itself to the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, which mainly includes the food and beverage sector. Now the local investor has invested in a pearl of the Styrian startup scene, namely in the wine cocktail startup ROST.
The team around Liza Brandstätter has already dedicated itself to tasty wine cocktails and rosé wine in 2018.
During and after her business studies in Graz, Brandstätter worked in various advertising and event agencies. The breakthrough to self-employment came with a job in New York, where she had the idea for the rosé wine spritzer. "I had a similar drink in a bar in New York. I still don't know what it was - but it was pink and a mix of cider, spritzer and prosecco."
Back in Graz, she began experimenting in her kitchen to create a unique flavor. "It had always been important to me that it was an easily understandable, simple and regional product. People don't have time for long explanations, they want an honest drink,” Brandstätter explains.
This drink, a rosé wine cocktail with flavours of ginger, cranberry, vermouth or apple, is now sold far beyond the Styrian borders.
"Liza’s concept has convinced us. The product tastes great and is extremely versatile. The high demand in the market for ROST was surprising for us at first, but it shows that there is definitely a trend for our product," says investor Bernhard-Stefan Müller.
Loonshot Ventures then watched the startup for a while before making the decision to invest.
"We always look for companies where, apart from the financial aspect, we can really create impact. This is possible, not least through our distribution networks with retailers, the gastronomy and hotel industry, but also the international event sector, so the decision to invest was an easy one for us," Müller continues.
The cap table of the Graz-based startup does not include any unknowns so far. In April 2021, Liza Brandstätter achieved a major milestone with her appearance on the Pulse 4 show "2 Minuten 2 Millionen". The charming woman from Graz was able to convince the two investors Hans-Peter Haselsteiner and Alexander Schütz of her idea. However, it wasn't just a good deal financially: "I also wanted to reach as many people from my target group as possible with my appearance on the show," says Brandstätter. The idea worked, orders increased, and more and more gastronomy businesses began selling ROST.
By now, she also supplies beyond Austria's national borders.
"ROST is available, for example, at selected Billa and Billa Plus stores, but also in several in-bars in Austria and Germany and at numerous events in the DACH region. Especially in the food and beverage sector fast action is important; that is also exactly my personality. With Bernhard - Stefan Müller and Loonshot Ventures, I think I have found the right partner to grow quickly and make ROST a beverage that is now an integral part of every shelf and drinks menu," says the founder.
We are currently negotiating with two very well-known brands about new signature drinks. Unfortunately, we can't reveal any more than that at this moment.
We are very pleased to continue on the path of success we have started with Liza Brandstätter and her team, but also with our co-investors Hans-Peter Haselsteiner and Alexander Schütz, and to further develop ROST together. "I am convinced that you will hear a lot more about our products in the future," Bernhard-Stefan Müller concludes.
