London, July 2025 – As the European cannabis industry continues to evolve, one UK-based brand is showing what’s possible when functional wellness, cannabinoids, and premium branding come together. Goodrays, one of the fastest-growing CBD drinks companies in the UK, has just secured €5.7 million in Series A funding – a mix of equity and debt – to accelerate its next phase of growth across Europe.
Led by Guinness Ventures, the round also drew investment from high-profile names including Vernon Kay, Tess Daly, and athletes Ed Leigh and Ben Skinner. At the same time, Ben Dando, former International Managing Director at viral drinks brand Liquid Death, joins as the new Managing Director to steer Goodrays’ international expansion.
UK Success Story with European Ambitions
Founded in 2020, Goodrays has reportedly doubled both revenue and profitability for three consecutive years. The brand gained serious momentum in 2024 with listings in four of the UK’s largest retailers – Sainsbury’s, Ocado, Morrison’s, and Waitrose – becoming the first CBD brand featured in major meal deal programmes.
More recently, Goodrays entered France’s top four supermarket chains (Carrefour, Intermarché, Leclerc, and System U), further solidifying its position in the premium CBD beverage space.
What the New Funding Will Support
The €5.7 million will be used to scale strategic initiatives across:
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Product innovation: expanding the high-quality functional drinks portfolio
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Marketing acceleration: boosting digital brand awareness and credibility in the wellbeing space
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Retail growth: building new partnerships and deepening existing listings
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International expansion: increasing distribution across Europe
Why Investors Are Watching CBD Drinks
Goodrays operates at the intersection of consumer wellness, non-intoxicating cannabinoids, and premium beverage branding. As the UK CBD market moves toward full product authorisation in 2026, the company is well positioned in a sector projected to grow to €1.1 billion this year alone.
“Consumers are changing. They’re looking for drinks that add something meaningful to their day – not just take the edge off,” says incoming MD Ben Dando. “While others focus on what to cut out – sugar, alcohol – we focus on what we can add in, especially around mental clarity and balance.”
A Blueprint for Cannabis Startups Across Europe
Goodrays is more than a beverage brand – it’s a case study in how to build a cannabinoid-based consumer product that’s scalable, retailer-ready, and investor-attractive. The lessons extend far beyond the UK:
👉 CBD and functional ingredients offer early-mover advantage in tightly regulated THC markets
👉 Investors are looking beyond flower and vapes, toward everyday, legal wellness products
👉 Beverages are scalable and repeat-purchase friendly – making them highly VC-compatible
👉 Mental wellbeing is the new frontier for cannabis-linked consumer brands
The Future of Cannabis Products Isn’t Just Smoke – It’s Sips.
Goodrays’ success signals a shift: cannabis startups across Europe can no longer ignore the massive potential of functional, cannabinoid-infused drinks. Especially as regulators open up and consumers shift towards wellbeing over intoxication, this emerging category is poised to dominate shelves – and investor portfolios.
📌 Founder Tip: If you’re building a brand in the cannabis space, think beyond THC – and consider what functional value you can bring to everyday consumers.
