In an exciting development for the beverage industry, Corporación Hijos de Rivera, the renowned Spanish company behind popular brands like Estrella Galicia and Cabreiroá, has partnered with EIT Food to launch the second edition of Impact Sips. This innovative program aims to discover functional beverage ingredients and concepts that are not only scientifically backed but also hold significant commercial potential. The announcement was made in Brussels, marking a pivotal moment for startups focused on health-oriented beverages.
Applications for Impact Sips are now open and will remain so until July 10. This year, the program is set to invite up to six finalists to showcase their projects during a Demo Day in A Coruña, Spain. This initiative reflects a growing trend in the beverage sector, where companies are increasingly seeking products that offer more than just hydration or basic nutrition. With a focus on health, mood enhancement, and metabolic support, the program is poised to tap into the evolving consumer landscape.
The 2026 edition of Impact Sips will concentrate on three key areas: healthy aging, mental well-being, and metabolic health. Organizers are particularly interested in ingredients and solutions that can promote longevity, skin health, mood stability, stress management, digestive health, and metabolic function. Notably, there is a specific interest in products that can complement GLP-1 therapies, which have gained traction in recent years.
The first edition of Impact Sips saw remarkable engagement, attracting nearly 90 applications from startups across 39 countries. Impressively, 73% of these applicants reported that their technologies or ingredients had scientific validation. After a rigorous selection process, six startups were chosen to present at the Demo Day. Following this, Hijos de Rivera is now moving forward with a pilot collaboration with the winning startup, showcasing the program’s potential for real-world impact.
What sets Impact Sips apart from traditional startup competitions is its structure, which emphasizes collaboration over mere competition. Selected companies gain access to Hijos de Rivera’s teams in open innovation, research and development, marketing, and business development. This collaborative approach aims to test whether early-stage ideas can evolve into pilot projects or long-term commercial partnerships, fostering a nurturing environment for innovation.
Yago Campos, the director of R&D&I at Corporación Hijos de Rivera, emphasizes that functional beverages are part of a broader shift in consumer expectations regarding food and drink. Today’s consumers are not just looking for products labeled as healthy; they want drinks that deliver specific, measurable benefits. This shift is driving the demand for beverages that cater to various health needs, from physical wellness to emotional support.
Belén Moscoso, senior corporate venturing manager for Europe at EIT Food, highlights the robust ecosystem of startups in Europe focused on health-related food and beverage innovation. The Impact Sips program is designed to bridge the gap between these innovative companies and established beverage producers, providing them with real testing and market opportunities. This connection is vital for startups looking to scale their ideas and reach a broader audience.
The organizers of Impact Sips have also noted significant shifts in consumer behavior. According to data from EIT Food’s Consumer Observatory, six in ten European consumers now define health in part through mental well-being. Furthermore, over half of consumers express a willingness to try food and beverage products that support emotional health. This trend is underscored by the fact that nearly one in two Europeans already takes daily supplements, indicating a growing openness to drinks that offer targeted functional benefits.
Metabolic health, in particular, has emerged as one of the fastest-growing areas in food and beverage innovation. Companies are increasingly focusing on ingredients that promote feelings of fullness, aid digestion, and help manage blood sugar levels. This heightened interest is closely linked to the rising popularity of weight-loss drugs and GLP-1 therapies, which are shaping the types of applications expected for this year’s program.
Finalists selected for Impact Sips 2026 will have the unique opportunity to pitch their ideas directly to senior leadership at Hijos de Rivera during the closing event at the company’s headquarters and innovation centers in A Coruña. For Hijos de Rivera, this program serves as a strategic avenue to scout emerging, science-based beverage ideas at a time when competition in the functional drinks market is intensifying. For startups, it represents a pathway into one of Europe’s established independent beverage groups, with the potential for pilot projects and future commercialization.
