It's hardly news that Detroit is a startup incubator, though business founders usually are at least old enough to vote.
Matthew Turkel and Sawyer Altman started a beverage business two years ago. (Detroit Unspun photo)
Jerome Espy posts his second report at the Detroit Regional News Hub's blog on a pair of younger visionaries whose product is now in five dozen sites around Southeast Michigan and northern Ohio, including Honey Bee Market, Rocky Peanut Company and Small Plates in Detroit.
As young entrepreneurs Matthew Turkel and Sawyer Altman set their sights of finishing high school this spring, their popular 313 Energy drink has taken off. . . .
The guys have done a lot of the distribution and haggling with retailers themselves. But now they are catching the eye of some very high-profile retailers and potential investors. They stopped short of saying who.
The friends, who attend the private Frankel Jewish Academy in West Bloomfield, expanded the venture from a 2011 project for the school's entrepreneurial club. They have access to shared space at the M@dison Building entrepreneurial hub, thanks to support from Josh Linkner of Detroit Venture Partners, Espy reports.
“We love this place and we’re glad Josh Linkner and the Detroit Venture Partners group let us take up space in such a great environment,” says Altman.
The teens' website has a clickable map showing businesses that sell 313 Energy, a cherry-flavored beverage packaged in New Jersey.
Hardcore fans can also order the drink through the site, along with T-shirts, hats, gift baskets and other items. . . .
With bigger chain store discussions and regional distribution on the horizon, they are optimistic their original plan of covering southeastern Michigan will happen sooner rather than later.
The company donates 11 cents from every can sold to a charity in the city, such as the Detroit Public Schools Foundation.
“We refuel you and then, we refuel the city of Detroit,” says Altman.
