The Ryl Company, the parent company of the rapidly emerging Ryl Tea brand, has secured an impressive $15 million in Series B funding. Established in 2022 by beverage industry veteran Blodin Ukella and renowned partner Morgan Wallen, the funding marks a significant milestone for Ryl Tea, fueling its ambitious growth trajectory. This round of funding follows a successful $7.5 million Series A in early 2024, bringing the total investment in the company to $30 million, positioning Ryl Tea for widespread national expansion and increased market presence.
Ryl Tea is a functional, better-for-you iced tea brand that is reshaping the ready-to-drink tea segment with its clean ingredients and health-conscious formulations. Each bottle of Ryl Tea contains zero sugar, fewer than five calories, and no artificial ingredients, making it a guilt-free beverage option for health-conscious consumers. The brand’s proprietary Antioxidant Superblend forms the heart of each brew, providing an excellent source of vitamin C and a high concentration of naturally occurring tea polyphenols — compounds renowned for their powerful antioxidant benefits. Ryl Tea’s range of nostalgic iced tea flavors includes Peach, Southern Sweet, Raspberry, Half & Half, Green Citrus, and others, offering a modern, health-forward twist on classic tea varieties.
With the influx of Series B funding, Ryl Tea is poised to broaden its reach significantly, targeting distribution in over 40,000 stores by the end of 2025. Key retail partnerships include major national retailers like Walmart, Kroger, Albertsons, Costco, Publix, HEB, Meijer, 7-Eleven, and additional regional and national stores across the United States. The capital raised will enable the company to ramp up marketing efforts, enhance product innovation, and ensure its continued expansion into new regions and store chains.
Leigh Feuerstein, Chairman of The Ryl Company, expressed excitement about the company’s growth prospects. “The Ryl Company is entering an exciting phase of hyper-growth, and this capital raise will help us scale our operations to new heights,” he stated. “Under the leadership of Blodin Ukella, the team’s deep understanding of consumer needs has positioned us for success. Blodin’s leadership vision, energy, and drive have set the foundation for Ryl’s continued expansion.”
In addition to the support from Feuerstein, Ryl Tea’s Series B funding round saw investments from several influential partners, including Morgan Wallen, who has been a key figure in bringing the brand to widespread attention. Other major investors include Cam Fordham from Get Engaged Media, Alex Dermer, Ben Hiott, Austin Neal of Sticks Management, and Seth England of Big Loud Records. The involvement of these high-profile figures further strengthens Ryl Tea’s cultural relevance and deepens its connections within the beverage industry.
Ryl Company Raises $15 Million in Series B Funding to Drive National Expansion and Product Innovation
Wallen, who has long been a fan of Ryl Tea and an active promoter of the brand, shared his enthusiasm about its continued success. “I’ve been a believer in Ryl Tea from the beginning,” he said. “I keep the product stocked at home and even take it with me on tour. It’s exciting to see the brand grow, and I’m proud to be part of the journey.”
As Ryl Tea accelerates its national expansion, the company is simultaneously scaling its internal operations. Since 2023, the team has grown from nine employees to 39, with plans to exceed 100 employees by the end of 2025. To meet the demands of its rapid expansion, the company is hiring across key departments, including operations, marketing, sales, and product development.
Ryl Tea’s management team brings deep experience in building and scaling highly successful beverage brands. Blodin Ukella, the Founder and CEO, previously served as the Chief Strategy Officer at OWYN, which was acquired by The Simply Good Foods Company. Ukella also has a background as a data scientist at Bai. Joining him in leading Ryl Tea is President Ken Kurtz, who played a key role in Bai’s sale to Dr Pepper Snapple Group, as well as serving as the Senior Vice President of Fiji Water. The team also includes Chief Operating Officer Ruben Rafaeli, who previously served as COO of Crook & Marker and SVP of Operations at Bai. Together, this powerhouse leadership team is well-positioned to drive Ryl Tea’s continued growth and market dominance.
“This funding round is not only a financial milestone, but a signal of confidence in our mission and momentum,” Ukella commented. “We’re entering the ‘leap’ phase of our business — rapidly scaling with new distribution channels, exciting marketing initiatives, and product innovations. This investment will help us expand our product offerings and distribution by four times, all while maintaining our commitment to quality and consumer health.”
Ryl Tea’s anticipated growth is further supported by a series of strategic distribution partnerships with leading players in the beverage industry. In late 2024, Ryl Tea secured deals with top-tier distributors such as Big Geyser in the New York Metro area and Polar Beverage in the Northeast. Additionally, numerous direct-store-delivery systems across the nation are helping to accelerate the brand’s market penetration, ensuring that Ryl Tea’s healthier iced tea options will be available to consumers nationwide.
Looking ahead, Ryl Tea is preparing to unveil its most innovative product yet in May 2025. The new offering will not only raise the bar for the ready-to-drink beverage category but will also tie into a philanthropic initiative that aligns with The Ryl Company’s core values. This product launch is expected to be a game-changer, further cementing Ryl Tea’s place as a disruptive force in the beverage industry.
The Series B funding, combined with strategic partnerships, retail expansion, and a passionate leadership team, positions Ryl Tea for continued success as it disrupts the iced tea category with a health-focused, functional beverage that resonates with today’s modern consumers. With strong backing from investors, celebrity partners, and an expanding team, Ryl Tea is well on its way to becoming a household name in the beverage industry.
