GUTsy Captain opens Crowdcube crowdfunding after topping 70 million bottles sold

The Portuguese functional-drinks maker has opened early access to an investment crowdfunding campaign as it looks to scale Electrolytes, expand internationally and keep building beyond kombucha. The move comes after GUTsy Captain grew to 38 countries, more than 10,000 stores and 9.9 million euros in revenue in 2025.

Why it matters: - GUTsy Captain is trying to turn a consumer brand into a broader European functional-beverages platform. - The campaign gives supporters a chance to invest in the next phase of growth. - The company is targeting expansion beyond kombucha, with Electrolytes as a new growth engine.

What happened: - GUTsy Captain opened early access to an investment crowdfunding campaign on Crowdcube on Oct. 7. - The Portuguese brand is inviting its community to invest as it enters a new growth phase. - The company is based in Sintra, Portugal. - GUTsy Captain now operates in 38 countries. - The brand has sold more than 70 million bottles. - GUTsy Captain is sold in more than 10,000 points of sale, including Continente, Pingo Doce, Auchan and Lidl. - In its markets, the company sells about one bottle every three seconds.

The details: - The business started in Portugal around a decade ago and has since expanded internationally. - GUTsy Captain built its distribution and consumer base through kombucha. - The company is now building a second growth platform around Electrolytes. - Electrolytes combines hydration, clean-label ingredients and positioning for different consumption occasions. - The Electrolytes line generated 300,000 euros in sales in its first three months without marketing spend. - The product range was selected for the SIAL Innovation Awards 2026. - GUTsy Captain said the early results reinforced its view that it can grow beyond kombucha. - The company reported 9.9 million euros in revenue in 2025. - Strategic shareholders include Orkla Foods and Döhler Ventures. - Revenue comes from retail, regional distributors and direct-to-consumer e-commerce. - The company operates its own production facility, giving it direct control over production, quality, innovation and capacity. - GUTsy Captain produces kombucha, Electrolytes and the rest of its portfolio for international markets. - The company’s website is More information.

Between the lines: - The crowdfunding move appears designed to deepen loyalty among early supporters while funding expansion. - The company is signaling confidence that its brand can move from a kombucha niche into larger functional-drink categories. - The presence of Orkla Foods and Döhler Ventures suggests institutional backing from consumer and ingredient specialists. - Founder and CEO Peter Matuska said the company wants to build a major European functional-drinks brand and bring the community into the next phase.

What's next: - Private Access is scheduled for Oct. 19, with priority expected for people who registered during Early Access. - Public Access is scheduled for Oct. 21 for eligible Crowdcube members. - The funds are expected to support Electrolytes production capacity, operations, marketing and sales, current-market distribution, new-market expansion and further product innovation. - Investment details, terms and risk warnings will be available on GUTsy Captain’s Crowdcube page. - Certain investment levels will include perks such as product credit, online discounts and exclusive experiences. - Matuska said giving consumers the chance to become investors is the natural next step.

The bottom line: - GUTsy Captain is using crowdfunding to finance its shift from a fast-growing kombucha maker into a broader functional-beverage company.