Insights & Trends

Distill Ventures in Vogue

“Gone is the ’mocktail’ of old, in is the ‘non-alcoholic’ or ‘zero proof’ cocktail as a plethora of new brand founders introduces spirit-less beverage brands that allow for a wide range of flavor profiles, expanded occasions, and functionality.” Heidi Dillon, CEO of Distill Ventures

Diageo's Landmark Acquisition Of Ritual Zero Proof

A milestone moment for Ritual Zero Proof, the #1 non-alc spirits brand in the US

Ritual Zero Proof Acquisition 2024

Founders David Crooch, Marcus Sakey and GG Sakey celebrate the successful acquisition of their top non-alc spirits brand by Diageo.

Diageo Acquires Ritual Zero Proof - #1 US Non-Alc Spirits Brand

Ritual Zero Proof has been acquired by Diageo. Since its launch in Chicago in 2019, Ritual has risen rapidly to become the #1 US non-alc spirits brand.

Heidi Dillon - Five Things You Need To Succeed As A Senior Executive

Since her arrival at Distill Ventures North America in 2018, Heidi has been a catalyst for innovation. She led the creation of the first non-alcoholic drinks practice globally and more recently, the creation of Distill Ventures’ Pre-Accelerator, an early stage funding initiative designed to support entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds.

Distill Ventures Wins Diversity/Gender Inclusion Achievement Award 2023

Distill Ventures receives Diversity/Gender Inclusion Achievement Award at Global Drinks Intel ESG Awards 2023

Distill Ventures & Diageo Celebrate 10 Year Partnership

The duo has invested more than £245 million in over 35 drinks brands globally.

Distill Ventures Rebrands With New Strategic Vision

Drinks accelerator programme Distill Ventures has updated its branding, website and strategic vision to mark its 10-year anniversary.

Make Mine A Mocktail: Why The Non-Alcoholic Drinks Trend Is Here To Stay

It's official: The biggest trend in bars are drinks without booze.

Distill Ventures Expands to North America

Distill Ventures, a spirits investment and mentoring scheme funded by Diageo, is set to launch in North America for the first time...

All About Distill Ventures

Distill Ventures is a 'spirits accelerator', the first of its kind in the world investing in global drinks brands

Diageo invests £10m in Stauning Danish whisky

Diageo will invest £10m in Danish whisky brand Stauning through its Distill Ventures programme.

Diageo acquires a taste for Australian whisky brand

How big firms are using accelerators to stave off disruption

Diageo, John Lewis, BMW and Barclays are all turning to start-ups in a bid to stay ahead of the curve.

Distill Ventures Delivers Innovation to Diageo

Does the world need a non-alcoholic spirit? Shilen Patel thinks so.

Want to start your own drinks brand? Read this first.

Spirits accelerator Distill Ventures uncorked a belly-full of business wisdom at this year’s Singapore Cocktail Festival with the help of three industry insiders.

Non-alcoholic ‘most exciting’ drinks category, new report claims

The world’s biggest booze companies are placing their bets on a sober future

The New Craft Spirits Incubators and Accelerators

Big brands are investing more and more in small craft brands. Here’s how they’re doing it

What Does “Wellness” Look Like in the Drinks World?

A mini-temperance movement is brewing.

Going out need no longer be a headache for teetotallers

Innovation in non-alcoholic and low-alcohol drinks fits with health-conscious trends

Diageo makes good on Distill Ventures investment with Belsazar vermouth buy

Diageo has bought Berlin vermouth-maker Belsazar in the spirits giant's first acquisition from its Distill Ventures incubator programme.

Diageo looks to aperitif drinks as consumers shift towards casual occasions

Diageo has acquired Belsazar to expand in the aperitif sector as consumers shift towards more casual occasions, seeing demand for lower ABV cocktails and an increase in long drinks.

11 incubator schemes looking for the next big thing in food and drink

With a record number of entrepreneurs now looking to build their own business in the sector a growing number of programs are offering access to expert advice, space and cash.

Diageo ‘seeks opportunities’ to extend Reserve portfolio

Diageo is “constantly screening the world” to discover new categories and brands that could be added to its Reserve portfolio, according to the unit’s managing director.

Are Nonalcoholic Drinks Here to Stay?

Tales of the Cocktail panelists discuss markets, costs, and current and future trends in the spirits-free space

Distill Ventures Aims To Grow Craft Whiskey Entrepreneurs

Running a distillery these days is an expensive business, there is no doubt.

Spirit-free cocktails. Alcohol-free spirits. Bars and booze makers are cashing in on Americans’ efforts to drink less.

Big Alcohol Is Bracing for a More Sober Future

People are drinking less and less as non-alcoholic beverages flood the market. Now the alcohol industry wants in.

Non-Alcoholic Drinks Launches Soar as Consumers Drive Trend

New research from Diageo-backed accelerator firm Distill Ventures has outlined the continued economic potential for non-alcoholic drinks, as consumers demand more choice in the category.

Non-alcoholic ‘spirits’ to play ‘key role’ in on-trade

Consumers are “underserved” when it comes to non-alcoholic drinks options despite “strong demand”, according to a new report by Diageo’s Distill Ventures.

Why Alcohol Companies Are Betting on Non-Alcoholic ‘Booze’

New York City’s first permanent booze-free bar, and no one is drinking alcohol.

The Spirits Business Meets Frank Lampen

Frank Lampen, co-founder and CEO of Diageo-owned investment unit Distill Ventures, on the potential of the non-alcoholic space, category innovation and tackling the US market.

In focus: Low-and-no alcohol wine

Low and no-alcohol serves have become a major force in the drinks industry. But while beer, cider and spirits have taken off in this sector, wine is lagging behind. Edith Hancock discovers what is powering this revolution.

The Ins and Outs of Distill Ventures

Distill Ventures, the Diageo-backed spirits accelerator program, was established in 2013. The company provides sales and marketing expertise to help smaller brands achieve greater scale.

Diageo buys majority stake in non-alcoholic spirit Seedlip

Group pays undisclosed sum for spice-based drink it describes as ‘game-changing’

Diageo Buys Seedlip Spirits to Tap Into Teetotalling Trend

Diageo Plc, the world’s largest distiller, has noticed that people are drinking less than they used to.

This VC firm invests in brands so they can 'slow down'

An interview with Shilen Patel, the co-founder of Distill Ventures (DV), a U.K.-based venture capital firm and accelerator that invests in disruptive distilled spirit companies and non-alcoholic beverage brands.

In the New World of Whiskeys, Australia Strives to Stand Out

While distillers around the globe imitate Scotch, Australians are innovating to create something distinctive.

Ritual Zero Proof Announces Minority Investment From Diageo Through Distill Ventures

Ritual Zero Proof, the first spirit alternative distilled in America that echoes the taste and smell of spirits, today announced investment from global beverage alcohol leader Diageo via Distill Ventures.

ROW Leadership Announcement

Distill Ventures welcomes new strategic hires, announces leadership promotions to bolster key global practice areas

Diageo-Funded Distill Ventures Earmarks $5 Million To Back Diverse Producers

Distill Ventures has announced a slate of new global initiatives aimed at normalizing diversity within the drinks industry. The flagship initiative is a robust pre-accelerator program for spirits industry founders from underrepresented groups.

Japanese whisky maker Kanosuke Distillery joins Distill Ventures portfolio

Komasa Kanosuke Distillery, a producer of ultra-premium single-malt whiskies based in Kagoshima, Japan, today announces that Diageo has made a minority investment in the company, through Distill Ventures, the independently operated and Diageo- backed drinks accelerator.

Episode 33: Shilen Patel from Distill Ventures

Shilen Patel from Distill Ventures on what DV is looking for in potential investments, the future of the non-alc movement, and challenges facing food & beverage entrepreneurs

Distill Ventures commits additional $5 million to drinks founders from underrepresented communities

Following successful first year of Pre-Accelerator, Distill Ventures strengthens team to scale programme into 2023

Diageo Acquires Premium Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur, Mr Black

Diageo announces that it has acquired Mr Black, the Australian premium cold brew coffee liqueur.

Diageo Picks Up Mr. Black, An Australian-Made Coffee Spirit

Amidst espresso martini’s comeback, Diageo today announced the acquisition Mr Black, a premium cold brew liqueur out of Australia and the fastest-growing coffee liqueur in the United States.

Q&A with Distill Ventures’ Charlie Steel on Kanosuke Distillery

The Japanese whisky industry was rocked by last year’s surprise announcement of a minority stake acquisition of the Kanosuke Distillery by Diageo-funded Distill Ventures.

Diageo/DV invests in The Oxford Artisan Distillery

Diageo has made a minority investment in The Oxford Artisan Distillery, an ultra-premium English rye whisky producer ‘seeking to revolutionize farming practices in the category’.

Distill Ventures’ Frank Lampen on the Diageo acquisition of Mr Black

In September, Diageo acquired Australian cold brew coffee liqueur brand Mr Black from accelerator programme, Distill Ventures. Drinks International caught up with Frank Lampen, chief executive and co-founder of Distill Ventures to talk about the purchase and what’s next for the programme.

Distill Ventures to Extend Support for Brands From Diverse Entrepreneurs

Over the last 18 month Distill Ventures has extended its investment programme to support new start-up drinks brands, by starting a Pre Accelerator programme aimed at identifying and then backing new brand launches from entrepreneurs from marginalised communities.

As Interest in Wellness Stirs Up the Cocktail World, This Executive Gets Her Shot

Heidi Dillon is on the vanguard of the fast-growing nonalcoholic-drinks sector and is reshaping how the male-dominated spirits industry perceives the shifting landscape.

Distill Ventures Appoints New CEO

Diageo-backed spirits accelerator Distill Ventures (DV) has promoted its North America managing director, Heidi Dillon, to chief executive.