Johan De Jager

Time for Tequila but but will it be Going Going Gone for Gin ! Tequila and Gin, two equally deserving beverages, have ascended to become the top two contenders in their respective categories based on global volumes. While both categories exhibit growth in a somewhat indistinguishable manner, they vary significantly in their trajectories. The data suggests that Tequila might experience a more rapid surge compared to Gin, and one cannot ignore the factors contributing to this trend. Gin has established a presence in various countries and markets, exerting a significant influence on global sales, primarily in the UK and Spain. However, for brands to flourish and establish a strong foundation in the industry, it is essential to invest in critical markets such as the US that have lower profit margins but a promising outlook. The expansion of agave spirit volumes into other crucial markets can only happen when demand from the US reaches a halt. What distinguishes their paths to success is their reliance on different factors that directly affect sales. For instance, gin is driven by specific consumer preferences and maintains its categories and flavours without much experimentation while tequila offers consumers a diverse array of product types, including aged spirits. A majority of gin products remain un-aged and depend on innovation and various ingredients to convince consumers to make a purchase. This limitation suggests that future industry entrants should focus on creating a well-invented, creative range of products that cater to a diverse consumer base. Additionally, tequila's status as an aged spirit results in higher prices. Notably, with the US market's dominant role and tequila's prevalence, prices are influenced, pushing the agave spirit into the premium and ultra-premium price range. However, gin justifies its pricing by highlighting the need for aging to compete with high-end spirits. Over time, Tequila has evolved into a high-end sipping drink at sophisticated gatherings, associated with a polished and glamorous character that positions it as a highly regarded beverage. One significant distinction is that tequila's authenticity and production processes are not easily validated, giving it a sense of preserved luxury. In contrast, gin attracts attention due to its locally sourced ingredients and meticulous craftsmanship, but it can be produced anywhere globally, which diminishes its "special" element. It is evident that tequila will continue to outstrip gin in terms of growth nevertheless, tequila companies should diversify their presence by expanding into markets like the US and Mexico to generate momentum, while gin-based brands should prioritise investment in strategies and elements that make gin exceptional and distinguish it in the market. Suntory Global Spirits Gin Punch DIAGEO India Bacardi Glenfiddich

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Entrepreneurship is putting your face out there to get slaps everyday .... well here is mine , are you a che,f a mixologist or a barista ,let's connect....... thefeastify.com is the fastest and safest way to get the“at home”culinary experience.

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Startup Wisdom! ... another misnomer. Hardly anyone jumps into a startup if they have gained sufficient wisdom. Wisdom tells you to take calculated moves, and will almost kill the startup instincts. Another tricky situation is to go for advice or mentoring with people who haven't run a startup on their own. All the wisdom which is passed on to you will kill the winnable proposition of the startup. It will make it another lifestyle business. Lots of management learning is also not a good idea for founders. It is good at a later stage for scaling up operations or marketing strategies, but will kill all the disruptive innovation at early stages in a startup. Someone with a real entrepreneurial mindset will go with their gut feeling more than any expert advice. Another risky thing is validating your idea with the wrong audience. That's a sure way to kill the startup. Standard templates and validating techniques will only help to make the process more uniform, and this is not what real startups and entrepreneurial mindset are all about. #startup #journey #risktaking #validation #advice #entrepreneur #mindset #innovation #disruptiveinnovation TiE Kerala Kerala Startup Mission TiE Silicon Valley Ministry of Awesome

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Hey Fundraising-Startups and Investors, VC on the rise again! Very exciting insights and takeaways about the VC/Startup-Fundraising-Market. Massive shoutout to Rohit Yadav for sharing and putting it together for free! 💰 MORE: 53% of VC Managers expect to allocate more capital and invest in more startups than last year, with only 6% expecting fewer. 📊 SEED SIZE: According to an analysis, the sweet spot at Seed stage seems to be USD 2-2.5 million for maximising chances of follow-on fundraising. 📉 MINIMUM TRESHOLD: Don't Go Below $1m: Companies securing less than $1m in seed funding were less than half as likely to reach Series-A. ⏱️ SPEED IS KEY! Act fast. Raising seed funding within a year of launching your startup doubles your chances of reaching Series-A compared to those waiting 3+ years. 🛠 TOOLS: More tools (getpantom, OpenVC, shipshape.vc, Signal from NFX) are coming up to support founders in their fundraising (also watch out for +Azava 🤘)...

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Quality over Quantity - You don’t go to a restaurant to order food they don’t serve or specialise in. Don’t go to investors that have shown 0 interest in your space. It’s pointless and wastes your time mostly, the investor passed as it hit the inbox. Focus on those who are in your zone…chase relevance not quantity. #founder #fundraising #investorrelations

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Is fine wine a collectible or an investment? Wine sits in this beautiful space between passion and profit, and the answer can only be deliciously nuanced - it's the duality of wine that makes it such a unique asset! But investing in wine can lead to disappointment if you’re simply following your instincts. Success comes from balancing passion with logic, rationalizing emotions and relying on solid, reliable data. The good news is that the wine industry has reached a level of maturity where wines are extensively tracked and indexed, offering a wealth of resources and tools for thorough research. While greater market transparency has certainly improved decision-making, the process of assetization still has its limits, or perhaps more accurately, it can be limiting. Viewing wine purely as an asset fails to capture its rich, multidimensional nature. Like any luxury brand, investment-grade wines are enveloped in a halo of desirability. They represent far more than just a trendline on a graph or even the liquid inside the bottle. They evoke prestige, tradition, and masterful craftsmanship. Strong wine brands don’t emerge overnight; their status is earned through decades of dedication and a relentless quest for quality. Each bottle offers a unique learning opportunity, inviting an experience that engages all the senses, deepens appreciation for winemaking, and transcends the wine’s inherent qualities. From the pleasure of curating a collection to the potential for profit, wine defies being boxed into one category. So, what do you think? Is fine wine more of an investment or a collectible for you? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments, let's uncork this debate! 🍷👇    #WineInvestment #CollectingWine #LuxuryAssets #WineLovers

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Planning a corporate event? 🍷✨ Don’t let wine be an afterthought! In his latest opinion piece, Andrew Azzopardi, CEO & Founder of Vintage82 Ltd, shares why smart wine choices can make all the difference – from selecting the right wines for your guests to serving them at the perfect temperature

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It's official. We have more stars than Gordon Ramsay 😎 With the awarding of seven new Great Taste Stars this week, Tom Savano Cocktails is now the company with the most stars awarded in a single year, and the most Great Taste Stars of any cocktail company, with a grand total of Eighteen - one more than the total number of Michelin stars Gordon Ramsay's restaurants have received 😉 But what else do I have in common with Gordon Ramsay? To start with, I'm a huge fan of his. Whenever life calls for me to whip together a fine dish, my first port of call is to look up a Ramsay Recipe from the internet. When it comes to quality and taste, he's hard to fault. Looking at his approach, and why I admire him so much, we both share these qualities 😤 A relentless obsession with perfection, and the highest quality product. Not the cheapest or the easiest to make, but unquestionably the best 📚 A belief that complex, exciting layers of taste are what makes great products, but the way to achieve this is not being too fancy, just perfecting the basics and executing them WELL 🔥 A passion for the food and drink we create 🥇 A ruthless desire to be the best, with no compromises for mediocrity 👊 A belief in ourselves and our vision, and not deterred by naysayers, critics, or the opinion of every man and his dog ❌ I'll say it again. NO compromises. With every drink I've ever mixed, I've had a ruthless attitude that second place isn't good enough, and if the cocktail didn't taste as good as one of the world's best bars, I wouldn't release it. I've spent thousands of hours in the kitchen, obsessively iterating recipes, trying new routes, researching flavour trends, discovering what other food and drink artists are creating, and learning cocktails inside out, so that I can create authentic flavours and cocktail profiles that simply can't be replicated. One of our biggest innovations is our citrus, which is perennially a difficult flavour to create in a pre-mixed drink with any sort of authenticity or freshness. Rather than accept the solutions on the market at the time, I invented something of my own. The first ever lime juice that tasted like it had just been squeezed, with 18 months shelf life. More on this in a future post... But today, I'm happy to celebrate being the most awarded cocktail brand, and to have one more thing in common with - in my humble opinion - the world's greatest chef. So what do you think Gordon Ramsay, shall we celebrate with some Hot Honey Margaritas in the sunshine? 🌶 🍸 ☀ #awardwinning #food #drink #rtd #cocktail #cocktails #awards #brand #entrepreneur #startup #business

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In the post-pandemic era, there have been several high-profile foodservice M&A transactions globally. Here we round up some of those deals. We are seeing a lot of activity in the limited-service segment with record deals such as Subway, Firehouse Subs, and Carrols. There have also been record deals among food delivery aggregators, including Finland-based Wolt(Doordash) and India-based Blinkit (Zomato). For full-service, the highest enterprise value deals have been in the higher-end prices (steakhouses or fine dining). Restaurant mergers and acquisitions have been much a topic of conversation in the last couple of years, but we’ve been studying (and working with buy- and sell-side teams on diligence, value-creation plans, portfolio rationalization and more) for close to ten years. There is a spectrum of opportunities for restaurant acquisitions available for operators and investors alike. Consolidation is creating stronger players. #restaurants #acquisitions #strategy #investment

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The plant-based meat investment landscape is challenging at the moment, but why? The prevailing narrative in the press is that the economics don’t work. Part of what drives this is the carelessness with which founders in our space have handled investor cash. I’ve seen it first hand. We’ve previously been “bought out” of a national restaurant group restaurant listing by one such company, whereby said group was paid a 6-figure sum in marketing support & free stock. Those who get the listings are not always the best products, but the best funded, often trading at negative margins. This ultimately means that the best products don’t arrive to customers. I think we’ve realised now that plant-based meat & tech are quite different. Now investment is drying up, who stands to survive? Call me old fashioned, but perhaps a return to “real business” e.g. at some point, making more money than you spend. Only with this approach do you learn what people actually want, instead of what they’re paid to take. I’m not unrealistic. I understand better than anyone capital is required to get going, and have invested in the space myself, but this is best done strategically, within a model that has its sights on achieving profitability so the business can affect the lasting change that’s needed. Our space as much as any other has glamourised raising cash and hitting revenue targets without paying attention to the cost. It’s simply false economics, that serve only to impress less informed causal investors on crowdfunding platforms. There are also many challenges affecting all players that could be better solved collaboratively. I would love to see everyone working toward a common goal, growing the space and cornering their own niche. Despite all of this, huge progress has been made and I saw some incredible work taking place in India during this event. Thanks to Vegan India Conference 2024 for having me speak!

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This year’s list of the World’s 50 Best Bars is now out. Compiled by the Robb Report; it is the best known ranking of what is trendy and happening in the world of cocktail bars . New York and London have the most on the list with 8 each; disappointingly I have only drunk in one of the London bars, the Scarfe bar. Europe Region has the most with 37 bars. This year there were 16 new entries and one, Employees Only New York (number 97) has been in the ranking since at least 2015. If you are interested in the original articles follow the links below: https://lnkd.in/e3peRJPc https://lnkd.in/e-JcQnG6 If you can get it, being one of the serves or in the menu in key well-known cocktail bars provides craft brands with an amazing brand endorsement/ halo as well as sales. It is a great way of driving distribution. LongshotInsights | Longshot Ventures Ltd #marketinsights

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Two things that set uForage apart.. 1. We are the only food app to combine both wild growing and home grown / made produce 2. We don't take ANY of your profit. - that means, free to download, no fees to list your produce, no sales taking place on our app so no surcharges. No catches. We are genuinely a free window front for your produce. We know there are quite a few different online platforms popping up claiming to help you and connect you directly with consumers. We also know that can feel overwhelming. Who needs another platform to post on and maintain! We get it. Uforage doesn't need your constant attention. We don't even need a long bio about you or your business. If you like, you can simply pin your produce, add your contact details and be done with it. We're not high maintenance and we don't cost you anything! We're the fastest growing place to find food, so if you want to be seen and you want more customers to find you quickly and easily, download uforage today. Head to the app store and search 'uforage'

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For startup founders out there - keep going... Entrepreneurship is hard and taking the leap to start something is both brave and commendable but quitting early on can be very tempting Here's 10 tips for new startup founders on how to persevere and not quit in the early days: - Define your 'why' and understand the core reason why you started - Build a support network who can offer guidance when needed - Be open to feedback and be ready to pivot if necessary - Set realistic goals and celebrate each small win - Focus on your customers - they are key - Manage your finances & cashflow wisely - Learn as much as possible and stay curious - Be ready for failures but don't let them throw you - Stay persistent and keep pushing forward, even if its tough - And take care of yourself! Your wellbeing is crucial to your success! What other tips do you have for maintaining persistence? Comment below and let me know! ⬇️ --- ♻️ Repost this to support the founders in your network ➕ Follow me, Jo Goodall, as I build luna, the world's first digital health companion for teens

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Restaurant Brands International has announced the acquisition of Carrols Corporation, in a deal valued at $1.0 billion, aiming to revitalise Burger King's presence in the fast-food market. With this strategic acquisition, Restaurant Brands International cements its  status as a leader in the fast-food world, ready to meet future challenges and seize new opportunities in this  industry’s ever-evolving landscape. Click on the link below to read a full report about our analysis of this deal and improve your commercial awareness! Vice President : Leonardo Bassino  Analysts : Joshua Cayaban, Raashi Parekh, Heehun Seol, Shagun Shrivastava, Darrell Tan Report by: Aryan Srivastava, Aastha Gupta, Samanvi Jain #markets #corporation #restaurants #dealmaking #RBI #USA #investment #deals #investmentbanking #analysis #finance #economy #mergers #acquisitions #burgerbrand #UK #portfolio #brands

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How my VC background has helped me build Aquaria in 3 powerful ways: 1) Manage capital better — Raising capital is just the start, then we have to execute in the right direction. I understand which parts of our business we need to de-risk at each stage, and what milestones we are working towards. 2) Manage human capital — getting other people excited to work with us is a long-term strategy for Aquaria. Fast and nimble teams that are 120% dedicated moves mountains. 3) Prioritize — it's clear to me what order I need to prioritize things like marketing, sales, R&D, etc. My own ability to create massive output in the beginning is crucial to success. Most would say my background is unique. And they’d be right. Aquaria’s mission is unique. And appropriate leadership is needed to make it a reality. — If you’re a DeepTech investor looking to support a company working on one of the most overlooked climate issues (water), send me a DM on LinkedIn. Happy to have a chat.

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Over the past few weeks week, articles have highlighted several challenges that are continuing to impact the UK hospitality sector: 1. **Business Rates Concerns**: The potential end of business rates relief in March 2025 is looming, with UKHospitality warning that the sector could face an additional £928 million in costs. This could result in many businesses being forced to close or shelve investment plans. Industry leaders are calling for reforms to avoid this "tax bombshell" (https://lnkd.in/eAB5uK_R). 2. **Growth Amid Challenges**: August saw modest growth of 1.3% in year-on-year sales for hospitality groups, with managed pubs outperforming restaurants and bars. However, this growth remains below inflation, signaling ongoing pressure on businesses due to rising costs and a challenging economic climate (https://lnkd.in/eT5fytB2). 3. **Pub Closures**: The rate of pub closures remains a concern, with over 50 pubs shutting each month in the first half of 2024. The industry is calling for government reforms, particularly in business rates, to prevent further losses. (https://lnkd.in/eEPv6PmA). 4. **Pressure on Night-Time Economy**: Rising operational costs, energy prices, and reduced consumer spending have hit the night-time economy hard. Industry leaders are advocating for extended relief measures in the upcoming Autumn Budget, fearing that without support, many independent businesses could close by 2025 (https://lnkd.in/ezy4TcY7). The sector is facing a difficult period, and much depends on forthcoming government action, especially in the Autumn Budget. At Sona we are working hard with our Customers to enable them to tackle the headwinds, using their resources to realise more revenue whilst improving #EmployeeSatisfaction to retain their talent and #gainthecompetitiveadvantage Come and speak with us at the upcoming Hospitality Tech Expo where we will be demonstrating why Operators are moving to Sona (getsona.com)

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https://lnkd.in/e9DdMYtA A heartfelt thank you to the business community and everyone in the whisky industry who has supported me along the way. Building and growing my business is something I’m passionate about, and I have big ambitions for the future. As much as I thrive in the business world, my greatest priority is always my family. Whether it’s camping, swimming, cycling, or sailing, spending time in nature with loved ones brings me peace and balance. These moments—around a campfire, under the stars, climbing a tree or on the open ocean—are where I feel most connected and able to contribute positively. Finding the right work-life balance is no easy task. As business owners, we all face the pressure of never-ending responsibilities. When is enough, enough? How do we step away to focus on what truly matters? It seems nearly impossible—especially as a business owner, husband, and father. The accountants, customers, suppliers, and taxes don’t go away. But the reality is that one day my children will be grown, my health will fade, and the people I love won’t always be here. Now, in my prime, is when I need to create those memories. What if I don’t make it to retirement? Since childhood, I’ve dreamed of sailing the world. But by the time I could get it together, life was already too busy. Raising children, running a business, and balancing all the moving parts seemed to make it impossible. Letting go of that mindset and remembering why I wanted to succeed was key. It allowed me to reclaim my dream. Over the years, life has thrown its share of curveballs, but eventually, I found the strength to take a break and set sail. Within a week at sea, all the worries faded, replaced by the present moment—surviving and thriving with my family by my side. Maybe I could’ve grown my business more if I hadn’t taken this adventure. But some things are simply priceless. To anyone reading this, ask yourself: What was your dream? Perhaps your business is all of it - in that case your already there 👏 It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind, but everything we’ve built will always be here when we return. If it’s not, we have the resilience to build something new. Taking risks and stepping outside our comfort zone takes courage, but it’s in those moments that we truly live. The time to act is now. What matters most isn’t the wealth and titles we accumulate, but the memories we create, the experiences we embrace, and the people we cherish. Life is short, and our dreams are worth pursuing. Be bold, take the leap, and trust that you’ll find your way back—or build something even better. #followyourdreams #riskitforabiscuit #goforit #sailing #family #friends #nature #god #thankyou

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According to recent data from Meaningful Vision Ltd, we are seeing an increased focus on Meal Deals and Limited-Time Offers (LTOs) in the fast-food industry. Their share on menus grew by 12% in the last year, according to insights shared in a recent QSR Media UK (linked below). Notably Meal Deal LTOs have nearly doubled and now account for 20% of all LTOs.   This isn’t surprising news if you have also been tracking what is happening in the hospitality sector (with parallels also happening in the retail sector). There is a definite growing trend in the prominence of 'bundles' across menu options and order types, particularly in pre-orders and catering, which is also, in its own right, seeing a boom. Essentially a bundle is of course a discount, but they do also help you to get more money in the tills. Here is why I rate them: 🎯 Simplifying decision making. Bundles reduce friction for the purchaser, making it easier to decide, especially for those organising food orders for larger groups. 🎯 Higher AOV. Whilst a bundle might seem like a discounted deal, it often leads to a higher AOV when you strategically build in upsell opportunities, including sides and drinks. 🎯 Marketing Flexibility. Regardless of terminology - bundles, meal deals, platters, or meals for 4, the concept remains the same - a value-driven offer that appeals to consumers and gives you a marketing platform to help drive demand. Expect more creativity around bundles and LTOs. The savviest are combining these with rewards and targeted campaigns. Just make sure you pick the right tech stack to make this happen.  #MealDeals #LTOs #ConsumerTrends #FoodIndustryInsights #Slerp

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