Angel’s Envy founder offers $50m start-up fund

A US private equity group headed by the president and CEO of Angel’s Envy Bourbon has launched a US$50 million “innovation fund” for fledgling drinks brands.

Marc Bushala, the co-founder of Angel’s Envy Bourbon, launched a US$50m innovation fund for start-up drinks brands

MAB Capital Management, led by Marc Bushala – a founding partner of Angel’s Share Brands, parent company of Angel’s Envy – has launched Liquid Assets Brands Innovation Fund I, which will make equity investments of US$3m-US$10m in early stage beverage businesses.

The project, which a number of “industry veterans” are involved in, will also take an “active role” in helping to accelerate the growth of brands it invests in.

The announcement of the fund comes just two weeks after Louisville-based Angel’s Share Brands was acquired by international drinks firm Bacardi for an undisclosed sum.

“There are great opportunities for investment in dynamic and innovative businesses in the beverage sector,” said Bushala. “Most early stage beverage businesses would greatly benefit by having value-added capital to help accelerate the growth of their brands.

“Liquid Asset Brands brings a wealth of expertise across all disciplines vital to the success of a young brand, including strategy, finance, marketing, sales, distribution and procurement.

“We have assembled an all-star team of industry veterans to invest behind brands with great promise and help them achieve their full potential.”

Liquid Asset Brands also intends to create and launch its own brands and is planning to open a craft distillery in downtown Chicago in 2015.