Poppi co-founder Allison Ellsworth’s net worth soared into the hundreds of millions after PepsiCo acquired the viral prebiotic soda brand for $1.95 billion last year, a deal that underscores the beverage giant’s push into healthier drink categories. The acquisition turned Ellsworth and her husband from entrepreneurs running on credit to centimillionaires, marking a significant wealth event driven by the booming market for functional beverages.
"What’s the point of having all this money if we can’t have fun with it?” Ellsworth said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. Her journey from an interest-only loan on her house to a nine-figure fortune encapsulates the high-stakes, high-reward nature of consumer brand entrepreneurship.
The transaction, valued at $1.95 billion, saw PepsiCo take full ownership of the brand that gained a cult following for its apple-cider-vinegar-based drinks. While the exact equity split was not disclosed, the deal made Ellsworth and her husband centimillionaires. The sale price reflects a substantial premium on the company, which had previously raised capital on “Shark Tank” and was backed by investor Rohan Oza.
The acquisition is a strategic move for PepsiCo, diversifying its portfolio away from traditional sugary sodas and into the rapidly expanding functional beverage market. This trend has seen major beverage corporations pay high multiples for brands that resonate with health-conscious millennials and Gen Z consumers. For Ellsworth, the exit provides a massive financial windfall after a decade of building the company, a period she describes as "chaos."
