Innovative better-for-you beverage brandsignals growth and new product developments following a successful funding round

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Ryl Company, the parent company of Ryl Tea, a fast-growing brand reshaping the beverage industry, has secured $15 million in Series B funding.

The Ryl Company Secures $15 Million in Series B Funding to Fuel Nationwide Expansion and Product DevelopmentShare

Founded in 2022 by beverage executive Blodin Ukella and well-known partner Morgan Wallen, this investment will accelerate Ryl Tea’s nationwide expansion, enhance marketing efforts, and support product innovation. This round follows a $7.5 million Series A in early 2024, bringing total funding to $30 million in growth equity.

Ryl Tea is a functional, better-for-you iced tea brand redefining the ready-to-drink tea category with clean ingredients and purposeful wellness benefits. Each bottle of Ryl Tea contains 0 sugar, less than 5 calories and no artificial ingredients, making it a guilt-free refreshment option for modern consumers. At the heart of every brew is the brand’s proprietary Antioxidant Superblend — crafted to deliver an excellent source of vitamin C and a high concentration of naturally occurring tea polyphenols, known for their powerful antioxidant properties. Ryl Tea is available in a range of nostalgic iced tea flavors, including Peach, Southern Sweet, Raspberry, Half & Half, Green Citrus and more, offering a delicious, health-forward twist on classic favorites.

With this round of funding, Ryl Tea is set to significantly expand its national footprint, increasing distribution to over 40,000 stores by the end of 2025. Key retail distribution includes major chains like Walmart, Kroger, Albertsons, Costco, Publix, HEB, Meijer, 7-Eleven and other regional and national retailers.

“The Ryl Company is surging into an exciting phase of hyper-growth, and this capital raise will assist us in scaling to new heights, especially as we expand our retail presence and national distribution,” said Chairman of The Ryl Company Leigh Feuerstein. “Under the direction of Founder and CEO Blodin Ukella, the team’s deep connection with consumers has set the stage for great success. Blodin is a remarkable leader with a clear vision and indefatigable energy, and we’re backing him with unbridled confidence in his ability to fuel Ryl’s expansion.”

In addition to support from the board and Feuerstein, The Ryl Company’s Series B funding round has earned additional investment from major partners, including Wallen, Get Engaged Media’s Cam Fordham, Alex Dermer, Ben Hiott, Austin Neal of Sticks Management and Seth England of Big Loud Records, further reinforcing Ryl Tea’s cultural and industry connections.

“I’ve been a believer in Ryl Tea from the beginning and keep them stocked at home and while touring out on the road,” said Wallen, brand partner and major investor who helped bring the brand to mass awareness over the last two years. “It’s exciting to see the brand continue to expand and grow, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

​​As Ryl Tea expands its retail and distribution footprint, the company is rapidly bolstering its internal team to keep pace. In just a year, the team has grown from nine employees in 2023 to 39 in 2024, with plans to surpass 100 by the end of 2025. To support its ambitious growth strategy, the company is hiring across operations, marketing, sales and product development.

Ryl Tea is led by a powerhouse management team with deep expertise in building and scaling category-defining beverage brands. Ukella, formerly Chief Strategy Officer of OWYN — recently acquired by The Simply Good Foods Company — and a former Data Scientist at Bai, provides strategic vision rooted in health-focused innovation. He is joined by President Ken Kurtz, known for his major contributions as former President of Bai, which sold to Dr Pepper Snapple Group, and former SVP of Fiji Water, along with Chief Operating Officer Ruben Rafaeli, who previously served as COO of Crook & Marker and SVP of Operations at Bai. Together, this accomplished leadership team is primed to drive Ryl Tea’s continued growth and success.

“This round isn’t just a financial milestone — it’s a signal of confidence in our mission, our momentum and our belief that Ryl Tea is on track to redefine what a modern beverage brand can be,” said Ukella. “We are in the ‘leap’ phase of our business journey — scaling rapidly with new distribution channels, exciting marketing initiatives and product development. This investment will help us expand our offerings and expand our distribution by 4x, all while maintaining the same level of quality and commitment to our customers’ health and well-being.”

Ryl Tea’s anticipated growth is bolstered by a series of high-profile distribution deals secured in late 2024 with top-tier distributors across the nation. This strategic expansion includes partnerships with industry leaders such as Big Geyser in New York Metro and Polar Beverage in the Northeast, alongside numerous powerhouse direct-store-delivery systems throughout the country. These alliances position Ryl Tea for accelerated market penetration and widespread availability, ensuring consumers everywhere have access to its innovative, better-for-you iced tea offerings. In May, the brand will unveil its most ambitious product yet — an innovation that not only raises the industry bar but also ties into a meaningful philanthropic initiative that reflects The Ryl Company’s core values.

Stay tuned for that announcement and many more to follow.

ABOUT THE RYL COMPANY & RYL TEA
Founded in 2022 by Blodin Ukella, a war refugee from Kosovo and seasoned beverage industry executive, The Ryl Company™ is redefining the RTD tea category with Ryl Tea — refreshingly flavorful zero-sugar iced tea made with no artificial ingredients and 5 calories or less. Ukella blends traditional Albanian natural health remedies with iced tea, creating a product that’s as health-conscious as it is flavorful. Focused on clean ingredients and functionality, Ryl Tea sets a new standard for better-for-you beverages that prioritize both taste and health. The mission is clear: to encourage consumers to Rethink your Liquids (RYL) by offering delicious, clean drinks that seamlessly integrate into daily routines. Available nationwide, Ryl Tea is making hydration tastier and more convenient than ever. For more information, visit drinkryl.com or follow on Instagram and TikTok.

Contacts

Chandler Ray, Champion
817.694.2523; cray@championmgt.com

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