Top 5 Boston and New York Food & Beverage Start-Ups to Watch in 2023

Conscious consumerism is driving food and beverage companies to alter the ways in which they produce and sell their products. More and more consumers are making purchasing decisions that have a positive social, economic, and environmental impact. In response to this, the food and beverage start-up scene in New York and Boston is booming and stepping up to new consumer demands and trends.

Boston and New York are well known for being innovative and creative hubs for new start-ups and businesses to thrive. As we are move into the new year, we are about to witness a new crop of exciting food and beverage start-ups that will no doubt be disrupting the market. This article includes some of the companies that I see thriving in their markets in 2023.

Boisson

This non-alcohol store and marketplace was an idea had during the pandemic. Socializing and drinking rituals can still be fully enjoyed without the need for an alcoholic drink that leaves you hanging in the morning.

Boisson curates the best non-alcoholic brands and places them in its online store and retail shops. Boisson was only founded in 2021 and already have 6 NYC locations, 3 stores in LA and 1 stored just opened in San Francisco.

Boisson is a company that shows there is a growing demand for non-alcoholic drink options. In 2021, low-alcohol and non-alcohol beverages sales equated to $3.1 billion.

Kin Euphorics, co-founded by Bella Hadid is just one of the non-alcoholic brands that can be found in Boisson. Dealcoholized wines have also proven to be a very popular choice with consumers.

Boisson is testimony to the fact that non-alcoholic drinks can be just as sophisticated as alcoholic ones. Head to their stores, or check their website for free tastings, fun recipes, and sample new hemp-infused and adaptogenic beverages and spirits.

Mori

Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Boston, Mori is a developer of an edible silk coating that extends the shelf life of perishable foods. This remarkable technology could help massively reduce food waste.

Using salt and water to extract protein from natural silk and create a protective layer which keeps food fresher for longer.

This food tech start-up came out of MIT and Tufts and is shaping the way we address food waste. Impressively, Mori has fundraised over $80 million.

Not surprising that this company will thrive in 2023 as we continue to see the disruptions caused by climate change, this technology will be a game changer for suppliers in the food industry.

Zoe

With over 200,000 people on the waiting list, Zoe has had everyone in the health and nutrition scene talking. Zoe uses a home-test kit to monitor your gut health, hormone levels and cellular aging. Forget health trends, Zoe is an amazing app designed to target your individual nutrition needs.

After getting your test results, Zoe creates a tailor made 4-week nutrition plan and provides insights to see how your body reacts to certain types of food.

Zoe has had some amazing results, 90% of participants felt more energy, 80% felt less hunger and the average weight loss of all users was 11 pounds after three months of using their personal plans.

Created and founded in Boston, Zoe has already expanded into the UK market where the response has been amazing, and many UK residents are already on the waiting list ready to receive their Zoe test kit.

Whipnotic

Founded by two Cornell grad sisters, these self-renowned ‘whipped queens’ are storming the dessert market with a fun twist on an American classic, whipped cream. With so many sugar free and dairy free healthier alternatives of sweets, whipped cream stayed its sugary, unhealthy self.

Whipnotic wants to become a household staple, with its low-calorie, keto-friendly, natural ingredients and ban of high-fructose corn syrup, Whipnotic is a healthier option than your average can have whipped cream. Whipnotic also does not hold back on flavor with the choice of vanilla salted caramel, fudge brownie, strawberry swirl, and peach mango.

We love to see woman entrepreneurs becoming CEOs of successful start-ups. We are so excited to continue to see Whipnotic grow. With funding of $900k and stocked in more than 200 stores across 22 states, Whipnotic is bound to be reckoned with in 2023.

Onda

There is no doubt that seltzers are everywhere now. Based in New York, this sparkling Tequila seltzer is a brand for the new generation of drinkers.

Onda differentiates itself from most seltzer brands by using blanco tequila (from a woman-owned Mexican distillery), real, legit fruit, zero sugar, zero carbs and naturally gluten free. At only 100 calories per can and 5%, who knew getting drunk didn’t have to ruin your health.

This brand is inspired by the surf style of the 90’s and its bright orange cans stand out on any alcohol shelf. Onda can take you from the cold streets of New York to a warm sunny beach in Miami. Onda comes in eight tropical flavors – lime, grapefruit, mango, pineapple, passion fruit, blood orange, watermelon, and strawberry. Onda has raised over $18.7 million and its drinks can be bought in stores all over the USA. Look out for Onda this 2023.