Bobba

Jessica and Sebastian, from Quebec City, pitched Bobba, a ready-to-drink bubble tea brand made with tea, fruit juice and popping boba, along with a grab-and-go popping boba product, seeking $1,000,000 for 18%. The drinks retail for about $3.99 in major grocers in Canada, the US and Europe, with three exclusive manufacturing partners in Quebec and a recipe partner in Taiwan; the company had $2.2 million in sales and $300,000 profit in its first year, $4.6 million in sales and $600,000 profit in its most recent year ending in February, is on track for $7 million this year and projects $14 million next year, with listings at Costco and a 900-store Couche-Tard deal for the popping boba product, and the funds sought would go toward US listing fees, including $600,000 for 2,000 Albertsons stores.

Brian Scudamore went out saying the product was too sweet for him personally. Simu Liu went out over concerns about cultural appropriation of an Asian product without adequate representation of that heritage in the company. Arlene Dickinson and Michele Romanow each offered $1,000,000 for 18%, including a joint offer, but Manjit Minhas also offered $1,000,000 for 18% and the founders chose Manjit Minhas, citing help with distribution including the alcoholic product line.

Bobba is still operating and sells through its website.