# Herbal Tea Company Expansions 'Waku' Partnered Up with Republic to Raise $1 Million for Expansion By Colin Smith | Published 2022-04-12 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/waku References: [foodbusinessnews.net](https://www.foodbusinessnews.net/articles/21109-herbal-tea-startup-launches-crowdfunding-campaign) & [livewaku](https://livewaku.com/?as)  'Waku,' the Boston-based beverage startup most known for its [herbal teas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/celestial-seasonings), has announced a new partnership with '[Republic](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tequila-centinela),' the crowdfunding platform for business investments. Waku is hoping to raise as much as $1.07 million USD over the course of the campaign, which ends on May 1st, 2022. Wake stated that it is excited to "welcome Waku fans, customers, and anyone wanting to join our mission to replenish the world with the home-grown flavors of Ecuador." The beverage startup will primarily use the funds raised for [market expansion and product development](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sparkling-cherry-jubilation). It hopes to increase its marketing, expand its team, venture into new markets, and create more delicious flavors. Waku products are received well by the public consumer due not only to the flavors but to the nutrition. Waku worked with health professionals, such as nutritionists, as well as experienced food scientists, to create its drinks. Image Credit: Waku ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.7/10 - Popularity: 22% | Activity: 19% | Freshness: 11% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [Retail](https://www.trendhunter.com/retail) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Crowdfunding for Product Expansion:** Partnering with crowdfunding platforms to raise funds for expansion is a potential trend for beverage startups like Waku. - **Health-conscious Herbal Teas:** The success of Waku's herbal teas, developed with the help of health professionals and food scientists, shows a trend towards health-conscious beverage products. - **Market Expansion and Product Development:** Beverage startups like Waku are focusing on market expansion and product development as part of their growth strategy. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Crowdfunding:** Crowdfunding platforms like Republic could capitalize on partnerships with beverage startups like Waku to support their funding needs for product expansion. - **Herbal Tea:** The success of Waku's herbal tea products indicates a potential for growth in the herbal tea industry, especially those with a focus on nutrition and health benefits. - **Beverage:** Beverage industry players may wish to consider product expansion and market growth strategies, such as those being pursued by Waku, to capture the trend towards health-conscious beverage products. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Brand Expansion Crowdfunding Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cape-codr.md) - [Public Investment Opportunities](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unique-investment-opportunity.md) - [Expanded Kombucha Brands](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/better-booch-kombucha.md) - [Naturally Flavored Soda Lineups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/something-nothing1.md) - [Retro-Inspired Functional Seltzers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wavy-daze.md) - [Organic Sparkling Tea Expansions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/8th-wonder-tea-1.md) - [Functional Protein-Packed Beverages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rebbl-2.md) - [Japanese-Inspired Plant Medicines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shiseido-investment.md) - [Natural Plant Beverages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/natural-plant-beverages.md)