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INDUSTRY WATCH
Fizzing rivalry: The battle of the bubbles
Thingtesting's 'Best of' brands, Olipop and Poppi, are making headlines this week as they continue to disrupt the soda market. With Olipop this week announcing a $1.85 billion valuation and Poppi addressing concerns around their controversial Super Bowl ad placement, these two brands are challenging traditional sodas with healthier, prebiotic alternatives. But it’s not without a little drama. We’re witnessing a modern-day Pepsi vs. Coca-Cola face-off, with Olipop and Poppi duking it out in the battle of the bubbles.
Olipop Hits $1.85 Billion—From Sparkling Tonics to Beverage Giant
Olipop offers a line of sparkling digestive tonics that combine classic soda flavors with prebiotics, plant fiber, and botanical ingredients aimed at supporting digestive health. Each 12 oz can contains 8-9 grams of fiber and less than 3 grams of sugar.
The company has experienced significant growth since its inception. In early 2022, Olipop closed a $30 million Series B funding round, with notable investors including Camila Cabello, the Jonas Brothers, and Gwyneth Paltrow. By the end of 2022, the company projected a $100 million run rate, reflecting its rapid market penetration.
Olipop announced yesterday $50 million in a Series C funding round that valued the brand at $1.85 billion, confirming its substantial impact on the beverage industry. This valuation positions Olipop as a formidable player in not just the alternative soda market, but the beverage industry as a whole, highlighting, as no surprise, the growing consumer demand for healthier beverage options.
Poppi's Super Bowl Campaign, Evaluation, and Backlash
Poppi, another prebiotic soda brand, has also made headlines this week with its marketing strategies. In February 2025, Poppi launched a Super Bowl campaign that included sending branded vending machines stocked with their drinks to over 32 influencers and high-profile athletes' partners.
The campaign faced immediate backlash. Critics labeled the initiative as "out of touch," suggesting that the machines would have been better placed in public venues such as colleges or shelters. Additionally, Poppi’s competitor, Olipop, inaccurately claimed that each vending machine cost $25,000, in comments on social media, a figure Poppi refuted. In response to the controversy, Poppi’s co-founder addressed the concerns on TikTok, emphasizing the brand’s commitment to listening to their community and improving interactions.
Poppi’s own valuation has also surged. As of early 2025, the brand has been valued at $700 million, reinforcing its own rapid rise within the healthier beverage market. The company's ability to innovate and capture the attention of consumers has made it a key competitor to Olipop.
Soo who's team are you on: Olipop or Poppi? The battle of bubbles is heating up, and it looks like this rivalry is only going to get more exciting.
As the market for healthier beverage options continues to expand, brands like Olipop and Poppi are at the forefront, shaping consumer preferences and challenging traditional soda consumption patterns. Leaving us wondering what's next for the "The Future of Soda"...