Gut-friendly Scottish drinks firm’s sales ‘skyrocket’ after major supermarket deal
A SCOTTISH prebiotic drinks business has achieved a strong increase in sales after securing a nationwide distribution deal with a supermarket.
The Prebiotic Company is the brainchild of three friends, Alyssa Reid, Mohsin Laginaf and
Jay Curthan, who had all experienced gut issues and turned their health around with prebiotics.
The Edinburgh-based business, supported by Business Gateway, Scotland’s national business advisory service, has seen sales of its product, ió fibrewater, “skyrocket” with the Asda listing.
The firm said prebiotics are a special type of fibre scientifically proven to feed friendly bacteria, adding: “With over 4,000 studies on prebiotics, they are the cornerstone to gut health and overall wellbeing.”
The trio conducted extensive research and launched ió fibrewater, which they claim was the UK’S first prebiotic fibre-infused water that’s backed by science, in May 2022.
Business Gateway’s Planning To Start tool helped test out its business potential, and they were then connected with a business adviser who provided one-to-one support. Business Gateway Clackmannanshire also signposted the trio to Interface, which connects businesses with leading academic expertise. This let them work with world-class academics from Glasgow Caledonian University “that proved ió fibrewater feeds friendly bacteria, or probiotics”.
Through Business Gateway, the firm benefitted from
Scottish Enterprise support, which helped with plans to expand internationally. It also received digital support, including a design grant that helped improve its product design and digital presence.
Co-founder Alyssa Reid said: “ió fibrewater is where innovation meets a gut health revolution. This trailblazing water is crystal-clear and has the look, taste, and feel of water with a splash of natural fruit flavour. Every bottle delivers 100% of the recommended daily prebiotic intake and 20% of an adult’s daily fibre needs, offering a deliciously easy solution for incorporating both fibre, prebiotics and hydration into daily diets.”
Winning the World Best Drink Innovation Award was the start of the company’s national and international recognition. It’s since won a prestigious Scottish EDGE award and several other international awards for innovation. In March, ió fibrewater launched its strawberry and lemon & lime flavours in 33 Scottish Asda stores. Since then, The Prebiotic Company has experienced a “significant sales surge”.