Third Wave Water is a technology company.
Third Wave Water has raised $100K across 1 funding round.
Third Wave Water has raised $100K in total across 1 funding round.
Third Wave Water has raised $100K in total across 1 funding round.
Third Wave Water's investors include Barbara Corcoran Venture Partners.
Third Wave Water is a consumer product company specializing in mineralization capsules that optimize distilled or reverse osmosis water for brewing superior-tasting coffee by adding precise balances of minerals like calcium, magnesium, and sodium.[1][2][4] It serves coffee enthusiasts, home brewers, and commercial coffee shops, solving the problem of inconsistent water quality—which is critical for flavor extraction and equipment protection in espresso and coffee preparation.[1][3] The company has demonstrated steady growth, starting with a successful 2017 Kickstarter raising $26,795, experiencing a sales spike post-Shark Tank in 2018, launching a commercial Tethys filtration system in 2019, and reaching $1 million in annual revenue by March 2023.[1]
Third Wave Water was founded by Charles Nick and Taylor Minor, both with tech backgrounds and prior experience owning coffee shops.[1] The idea emerged when Taylor perfected a custom water blend for his shop's customers to enhance coffee taste, and Charles sought to replicate it scalably, leading to the concept of "dehydrated water" in mineral capsule form.[1][5] They launched via a Kickstarter campaign in January 2017, raising $26,795, which provided early validation and funding.[1] A pivotal moment came in Shark Tank Season 9 (episode 906), where they pitched for $100,000 at a $1 million valuation but did not secure a deal; however, the exposure triggered a significant sales boost, fueling expansion including the 2019 Tethys system for commercial use.[1]
Third Wave Water rides the wave of the specialty coffee movement, where third-wave coffee emphasizes precise control over variables like water chemistry for terroir-like flavor expression, aligning with growing home and pro barista trends.[1][3] Timing benefits from rising demand for at-home espresso amid post-pandemic coffee culture and e-commerce, plus awareness of hard water's damage to $500+ machines.[3] Market forces include the $100B+ global coffee industry shifting toward science-backed optimization, with Third Wave influencing ecosystems via partnerships (e.g., machine bundles) and education on TDS testing.[1][3] It democratizes barista-level water quality, indirectly boosting adoption of premium brewing gear.
Third Wave Water's trajectory points to further product diversification, like expanded Tethys deployments or new profiles for cold brew/tea, capitalizing on its $1M revenue base and loyal coffee niche.[1] Trends like sustainable home brewing, IoT-enabled machines with water sensors, and premiumization in beverages will propel growth, potentially attracting acquisition by coffee giants (e.g., Nespresso) or scaling via DTC/subscriptions.[1][4] Its influence may evolve from niche innovator to standard in coffee water prep, enhancing everyday brews as water optimization becomes non-negotiable for taste and longevity—proving better water truly yields better coffee.[4]
Third Wave Water has raised $100K across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $100K Seed in October 2017.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2017 | $100K Seed | Barbara Corcoran Venture Partners |