Welcome to Breaking the Blueprint — a blog series that dives into the unique business challenges and opportunities of underrepresented business owners and entrepreneurs....

Welcome toBreaking the Blueprint — a blog series that dives into the unique business challenges and opportunities of underrepresented business owners and entrepreneurs. Learn how...

The sparkling water market was estimated to be in excess of $33B globally in 2021 according to Grand View Research. As consumers continue to become more health-conscious and shy away from carbonated soft drinks that contain sugars, preservatives, sweeteners, and carbohydrates, the industry is poised to grow in excess of 12% per year. Asian Americans represent the fastest-growing consumer segment in the US and represent $1.2T in buying power. Sitting at the intersection of these two trends is Sanzo, a canned sparkling water brand offering Asian-inspired flavors. Available direct online, through grocery marketplaces, and in thousands of physical locations including Whole Foods, Panda Express, and Target, the brand offers dynamic flavors that cater to specific regions of Asia like Lychee (SE Asia), Alphonso Mango (India). Yuzu Ginger (Japan), and Calamansi Lime (Philippines), appealing to often-overlooked palates when it comes to consumer goods. Despite the pandemic, lockdowns, and uncertainty, the company grew 5x both in 2020 and 2021. AlleyWatch caught up with Sanzo CEO and Founder Sandro Roco to learn more about his experience launching and scaling the business, the company's strategic plans, latest round of funding, which brings the total funding raised to $11.3M, and much, much more...