Can you tell us about the inspiration behind starting your food/drink business? What motivated you to begin this journey?
The inspiration for Blynk+ originated when myself and Stephen met at the national start-up awards in 2022. Both myself and Stephen share a passion for wellness and decided to use our shared knowledge to create a new functional drink company. The drinks industry is full of high sugar drinks which are packed full of questionable ingredients. Over the past year and a half we have been developing Blynk+ so we can offer consumers a better solution that supports your wellbeing.
Our “Beverages with Benefits” contain functional mushrooms which have been used for thousands of years for their potential health benefits. Our drinks are low sugar, low calorie and packed full of vitamins and minerals to support overall wellbeing. Our drinks have been designed to support key areas such as focus and calm.
How would you describe the uniqueness of your product(s) compared to others in the market?
Our products are extremely unique and we are technically the first company in Ireland to produce a functional mushroom drink.
In comparison to other products in the market our drinks contain more vitamins and organic mushroom extracts. On average our drinks contain twice the amount of functional mushrooms than other brands in the UK. Most importantly our drinks taste amazing which is very important. A lot of other functional drinks brands have a nasty after taste due to the sweeteners they use.
Can you walk us through the process of how your product is made, from sourcing ingredients to the final product?
The first step in the process to making Blynk+ is our formulation and this is where Stephen’s expertise comes into play. Stephen has over 30 years experience in the drinks industry and even created Europe’s first hard seltzer. The recipe for each drink is developed and then we source our ingredients from our suppliers in Europe. Our functional mushrooms are sourced from a mushroom expert in Europe who is certified organic.
Once all of our ingredients are ready they are shipped to our canning partner and the mixing process begins. Each of the ingredients are weighted and added to a large mixing tank. From here our mixed ingredients are then passed into a larger tank where they are mixed further and carbonated. Once carbonated the finished product is then sent to the filling line where it will be added into our cans and sealed. Our drinks are then pasteurized and left to cool before being packed into cases – ready for our customers to enjoy.
Where do you source your ingredients? Do you work with local farmers, suppliers, or producers?
All of our ingredients are sourced from within the EU. Our functional mushrooms are sourced from a mushroom expert in Europe who is certified organic. We spent many months researching the best suppliers to ensure we delivered the highest quality drink possible.
What challenges have you faced as a small food and drink producer in Ireland?
One of the biggest challenges as a new brand is getting in front of the right buyer and trying to get space in a fridge. The industry is dominated by a lot of the big drinks brands so it can be hard starting out. Once buyers try Blynk+ however the response has been overwhelmingly positive and we are having some very exciting conversations at present!
Sustainability is a big conversation today. How do you incorporate sustainable practices in your production?
At Blynk+ sustainability is at the core of everything we do as we work tirelessly to ensure we have a positive impact on the environment. All of the Functional mushrooms we use are certified organic and sustainably sourced. Our drinks are sold in aluminium cans which are infinitely recyclable. Our drinks are shipped in cardboard trays which are sustainable and fully recyclable. Our ambition for Blynk+ is to become a B Corp certified business by 2025 showing our commitment to sustainable business practices. David’s other company Hemp Heros is already B Corp certified so he has already been through the process.
What does “quality” mean to you when it comes to your products? How do you ensure each batch meets your standards?
Ensuring our products are of the highest quality is one of our guiding values. All of our drinks are based in a BRCG accredited facility to ensure they meet the highest standards from a manufacturing perspective. When it comes to sourcing ingredients or packaging each supplier has to pass our supplier assessment to ensure they meet our high standards.
Have you developed any signature flavours or techniques that reflect your brand’s identity?
Our first two drinks have been specially formulated to help support cognitive focus and calmness.
1. Blynk+ focus is an apple and chamomile flavour. It contains vitamins B12, B6, B9 and Iron which contribute to the normal function of the immune system and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
2. Blynk+ calm is a blackberry and lemon balm flavour. it contains vitamins B12, B6, B9 and magnesium which contributes to a balanced metabolism
What has been the most rewarding moment in your business journey so far?
The most rewarding moment so far for myself and Stephen was seeing our first batch come off the production line and tasting the first can. Being an entrepreneur is not an easy journey and it takes a lot of grit and determination. Taking something from an idea to a physical product which people can now drink is an incredible experience and is the closest you can get to real magic.
How do you engage with your local community, and how important is that relationship to your business?
We have only just launched Blynk+ but have a ton of plans to engage with the local community and support local charities. In the next few weeks we have plans to run a yoga wellness day and work with some running clubs to keep their members focused and calm.
What role does innovation play in your production? Are you constantly experimenting with new flavours or methods?
Innovation is a big part of Blynk+ and is something we are constantly talking about. Already we have 4 other products in our innovation pipeline and all going well we will have our third product launched in early January. Our next product will be a real game changer and something we are both super excited about.
How do you balance tradition with modern trends in food and drink?
What we are doing at Blynk+ is very new and goes beyond your traditional drinks. We are super excited for people to try a functional mushroom drink for the first time and experience our beverages with benefits.
Are there any Irish food or drink traditions or recipes that inspire your work?
Irish food and drink are renowned for their high quality and innovation, we are proud to play our part by pushing the boundaries and showing just how innovative Irish food and drink startups can be!
What are your future goals for your business? Any exciting products or projects in the pipeline?
We have big plans for Blynk+ as we want to bring new innovation to the soft drinks market and really shake things up. Our big goal for the next 6 months is to get Blynk+ sold in as many locations as possible across Ireland and then expand into the UK. We have big ambitions to make Blynk+ a global brand that is available world wide. Already we have had some great interest from some big retailers and we have some really exciting listings to announce very soon.
In terms of NPD we have four other products which we are working on and our third drink will be launching in the new year which we believe will be a massive fan favourite and help us unlock new opportunities.
In what ways have your customers influenced your business or product development?
Blynk+ was designed with the consumer in mind and we spent the year 16 months conducting consumer research on functional drinks. Earlier in the year we were selected as one of 10 most promising food and drink start-ups to join the Food Works program. Food works is the national accelerator program run by Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland and Teagasc for high potential start-ups. As part of the program we conducted a survey with over 200 people between the ages of 18 and 45 about what they thought of Blynk+.
From the survey we received some incredible insights and over 80% of people found Blynk+ and our branding appealing. Of the people surveyed 40% said that Blynk+ would not replace anything they currently buy and they would buy it in addition to their usual purchases. These insights have been instrumental in our discussions with retailers as we can show them we will help drive additional revenue and create a new customer segment.
How important is it for you to stay true to your roots while also expanding your reach in the market?
It is very important that we stay close to our roots as Blynk+ expands and we enter new markets. Our guiding values of quality, sustainability and wellbeing are a core component of each of our products.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to start their own food or drink business?
One of the most rewarding things you can do is bring something from an idea into reality. If you are looking to start your own food or drink business I would first recommend you do your research before you start spending your hard earned money. Speak with people who have done something similar and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Also see what supports you can get from your Local Enterprise office.
How do you think Ireland’s food and drink industry is evolving, and where do you see it heading?
The food and drink industry in Ireland is growing rapidly and there is incredible innovation taking place. It is heading for more growth, innovation and more Irish brands will become leaders in international markets.
Lastly, how would you like your customers to feel when they taste your product? What story are you telling through it?
When customers try our drinks we want them to be amazed at how refreshing and tasty a functional drink can be. For far too long consumers have been drinking high sugar, high caffeine drinks which don’t support their nutritional goals. We want to show consumers that you can have both functionality and great taste with our range of beverages with benefits.
