Akola Group, the largest agribusiness and food industry group in the Baltics, has invested an additional €0.6 million in Brite, a UK-registered functional beverage manufacturer founded by Lithuanians. After investing €0.45 million in 2024, the Group has decided this year to increase its stake in the rapidly growing healthy energy drink category, recognizing its strong market potential.
Together with business angels, Akola Group participated in a new investment round completed this autumn, during which Brite raised a total of €1 million.
According to one of Brite’s founders, Andrius Ratkevičius, the new investment will primarily be used to expand the team and accelerate sales in priority Western European markets. He notes that Brite is already the most popular healthy energy drink in the UK retail chain Waitrose, and the company is now aiming to become the category leader in several other European markets.
“It is very important that Akola Group not only provides financing, but also supports us with strategic decisions on supply chain and international expansion through its experienced leadership team,” says Ratkevičius.
Mažvydas Šileika, Deputy CEO for Finance and Investments at Akola Group, says the decision to reinvest was driven by Brite’s successful delivery on previously set goals, the strength of its business model, and its significant growth potential.
“It’s impressive that it was Lithuanians who recognized the opportunity to bring something new to a market dominated by synthetic energy drinks. The Brite model is already operating across the United Kingdom, Lithuania, and several other European markets, and we see real progress in expansion toward the Middle East, Asia, and beyond. We are confident that we are part of a future global success story with Lithuanian roots,” Šileika notes.
Brite representatives estimate that the company’s revenue this year will reach €4 million — twice as much as in 2024. Next year, the start-up aims to grow turnover to €14 million and plans to enter the United States market.
Brite was founded in 2016 by chemical engineer Andrius Ratkevičius and professional athlete Simas Jarašūnas. Among the first investors and advisors was a long-time beverage industry professional and former Coca-Cola marketing director.
The healthy energy drink developed by the Lithuanian founders stands out for its recipe based on natural ingredients, with no added sugar or sweeteners.
Brite became the first energy drink brand to win two Great Taste Awards in the UK. In the coming months, the company plans to introduce a new flavour and implement significant updates to its packaging and branding.
This is Akola Group’s fourth investment in a start-up and its third in a beverage manufacturer. For example, in 2022 the Group invested €1.9 million in OMG Bubble Tea, a natural bubble tea producer.
AB Akola Group manages the largest agricultural and food production group in the Baltic States, employing more than 5,000 people. The Group operates across the entire food production chain, “from field to table.” In the 2024–2025 financial year, the Group generated €1.58 billion in revenue and sold 3.1 million tons of products. Gross profit reached €194 million, operating profit €79 million, EBITDA €110 million, and net profit €61 million.
