Already a winner “at play,” Launch Hydrate targets the “at work” market as the sample beverage sponsor of the NAMA Show

When Perfect Game, the largest youth baseball travel organization in America, wanted a better sports drink, they turned to beverage entrepreneur David Smith. Now, the drink he developed is shaping up to be a perfect fit for operators and consumers in the “at work” market.

Most new beverages in the workplace market, sold through vending, micro markets or pantry service, will transition to the workplace from a successful run in convenience stores. Launch Hydrate has taken a different path. After winning more than 2.5 million youth baseball players, ages 8 to 18, at 20,000 tournaments over the past two years, they now plan to hit home runs in the workplace, which is increasingly dominated by their dream demographic, Gen Z and Millennials.

Samples at the NAMA Show

Dillon Houstoun is a partner and CFO of Launch Hydrate and has been on board with the company since the beginning. As an official sample beverage sponsor of the NAMA Show, he said he is excited about passing out ice-cold product samples to NAMA attendees, side by side with industry veteran Josh Rosenberg of Forward Thinkers, whose company provides consulting support for Launch Hydrate.

Better for you

“The opportunity in the ‘at work’ space is unbelievable for Launch Hydrate,” said Rosenberg. “They are well-positioned to be the preferred hydration choice, not just for athletes, but for health-conscious people who prioritize premium, functional ingredients that can optimize performance. Our formula is free from artificial sweeteners, colors and preservatives, making it a clean and effective choice for hydration, energy, and recovery.”

Customer testimonial

“Bringing in new brands is always a challenge in our business. Just because something says ‘better for you’ doesn’t mean it’ll sell,” said Ty Miller, owner of Assured Vending Services. “Launch Hydrate has been different. It performs just as well, sometimes better than the big names, and our customers keep coming back for it. The team behind the brand has also been great. They’ve helped with marketing, sampling, and finding ways to grow beyond just the break room. It’s been a strong start, and we’re glad to be the first to launch it in the workplace channel.”

Ingredients and taste are key

Houstoun points to the ingredients in Launch Hydrate as a key differentiator from other sports drinks on the market.

• Cane sugar for clean energy and less sugar than our competition, about half as much sugar as Gatorade.
• 1200mg of electrolytes, which is delivered three times more than our competition.
• Vitamin B12, which supports energy metabolism and reduces fatigue.
• Fruit juice for a delicious, refreshing taste with no artificial flavors.
• Cognizin, which enhances mental focus and clarity.
• L-ALANYL and L-GLUTAMINE, which aid in rapid hydration and recovery

Houstoun noted that Launch Hydrate tastes great, and he is not surprised that adults in the workplace love it. “Ten-year-olds are tough customers and if they love the flavor, if we can satisfy them, we know we are set in the ‘at work’ market,” he said, adding that strawberry lemon is the #1 SKU, along with fruit punch, tropical and orange.

Even before the NAMA show, Launch Hydrate has tremendous momentum behind it, which Rosenberg said speaks to the current and future success of the product. We’re rolling it out across the workplace, in the convenience services channel, where Vistar is introducing us. We just reached a deal with one of the “big three” operators and we’re going to be available in 1600 micro markets. We have up to 10 USG partners and we’re launching a USG program. This brand is moving in the right direction,” he said. Come visit us at the Launch Hydrate Booth, #1476 at the NAMA Show in Las Vegas.”

To learn more about Launch Hydrate, contact Josh Rosenberg at [email protected]