Sanzo

Sanzo was founded in 2019 by Sandro Roco, a Filipino American who grew up in the New York City metro area.{{Cite web |last=Goldberg |first=Morgan |date=2023-03-15 |title=How I Got My Job: From Nuclear Engineer to Cult-Favorite Seltzer Founder |url=https://www.eater.com/23630097/how-sandro-roco-sanzo-founder-got-his-job-seltzer-sparkling-water-brand |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=Eater |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Raczka |first=Rachel Kim |date=2021-09-12 |title=Sanzo’s Asian-inspired sparkling water is the antidote to LaCroix fatigue |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90671922/sanzos-asian-inspired-sparkling-water-is-better-than-seltzer |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=Fast Company}} Roco had the idea to start the company in mid-2018, citing a lack of Asian-inspired beverages in American grocery markets. Roco stated, "Crazy Rich Asians was the number one film at the box office, Korean pop was hitting a fever pitch, and the influence of Asian food and culture was really starting to make its mark on American culture. But when I walked the beverage aisles at both markets like Whole Foods and H-Mart, I didn’t feel there was anything properly capturing this shift in culture."{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Kat |date=2021-08-05 |title=Asian Flavors Are Seeping Into the Seltzer World |url=https://www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/best-sparkling-water-asian-inspired-flavors |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=Thrillist |language=en}} Sanzo's initial flavors were calamansi, lychee, and mango.

In August 2020, Sanzo raised US$1.3 million in seed funding.{{Cite web |last=Yu |first=Douglas |date=2020-08-06 |title=Asian-Inspired Sparkling Water Brand Sanzo Raises $1.3 Million In Seed Funding To Expand Distribution |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/douglasyu/2020/08/06/asian-inspired-sparkling-water-brand-sanzo-raises-13-million-in-seed-funding-to-expand-distribution/ |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=Forbes |language=en}}

In February 2022, Sanzo announced a new yuzu flavor{{Cite web |last=Staff |date=2022-02-04 |title=This Week's New Products: Rockstar Gets Unplugged; Sanzo, Brew Dr., HOP WTR Spotlight Citrus Flavors |url=https://www.bevnet.com/news/2022/this-weeks-new-products-rockstar-gets-unplugged-sanzo-brew-dr-hop-wtr-spotlight-citrus-flavors |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=BevNET |language=en-US}} and shared that they had raised $10 million in Series A funding led by CircleUp Growth Partners.{{Cite web |last=Shoup |first=Mary Ellen |date=2022-02-21 |title=Sanzo raises $10m in Series A financing to bring authentic Asian flavors to crowded sparkling water category |url=https://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2022/02/21/Sanzo-raises-10m-in-Series-A-financing-to-bring-authentic-Asian-flavors-to-crowded-sparkling-water-category |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=FoodNavigator-USA |language=en-GB}} In March 2022, they became available in Whole Foods nationwide,{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbdbh71vPeE/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=ffe53732-e47a-4879-8f50-c8f04ac53037 |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=www.instagram.com}} which Roco cited as when "things started getting pretty interesting for us.{{Cite web |last=Goldberg |first=Morgan |date=2023-03-15 |title=How I Got My Job: From Nuclear Engineer to Cult-Favorite Seltzer Founder |url=https://www.eater.com/23630097/how-sandro-roco-sanzo-founder-got-his-job-seltzer-sparkling-water-brand |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=Eater |language=en}}" Later that year, Sanzo partnered with professional basketball player Jeremy Lin to release a limited Asian pear flavor for the 10th anniversary of "Linsanity", a cultural phenomenon in response to Lin's performance during the 2011–12 NBA season.{{Cite web |last=Ayomari |first= |date=2022-10-11 |title=Sanzo & Jeremy Lin Launch Collaborative Can to Celebrate 10-year Anniversary of 'Linsanity' |url=https://www.foodbeast.com/news/sanzo-jeremy-lin-linsanity-cans/ |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=FoodBeast |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Avery |first=Brad |date=2022-10-11 |title=Sanzo Commemorates 'Linsanity' Anniversary with Jeremy Lin LTO Launch |url=https://www.bevnet.com/news/2022/sanzo-commemorates-linsanity-anniversary-with-jeremy-lin-lto-launch |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=BevNET |language=en-US}}

In February 2023, Sanzo announced a new pomelo flavor.{{Cite web |last=Ayomari |date=2023-02-28 |title=Asian-Inspired Sanzo Sparkling Water Announces New ‘Pomelo’ Flavor |url=https://www.foodbeast.com/news/asian-inspired-sanzo-sparkling-water-announces-new-pomelo-flavor/ |access-date=2024-03-17 |website=Foodbeast |language=en}} As of March 2023, the company had 18 employees and their drinks were available at Whole Foods Market, Target, and Panda Express, among other retailers.

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• {{Official website|https://drinksanzo.com/}}

Category:American soft drinks

Category:Carbonated water