TRIP's $40 million funding round at a valuation exceeding $300 million shows the latest sign of investor appetite for functional, health-focused beverages as alternatives.WHO: Founded in 2019 by Olivia Ferdi and Daniel Khoury, TRIP quickly drew attention with its pastel-branded CBD oils and drinks. Their range of calming beverages and supplements is now available in Target, Sprouts, Whole Foods Market, H-E-B, Wegmans, CVS, Erewhon, Soho House, and many more—totalling 10,000 doors nationwide, with 50,000 globally.WHY: TRIP is uniquely positioned to meet America's growing demand for calm and managing daily stress, creating a new category in beverages as two major global drinks shifts take hold: the rise of better-for-you drinks and a broadening desire to replace alcohol. The capital injection will accelerate US expansion and strengthen TRIP’s partnership with Calm, the leading meditation app with over 100 million downloads.IN THEIR OWN WORDS: "We created TRIP to make daily calm accessible to everyone, everywhere," said Olivia Ferdi, CEO and founder of TRIP. "On a mission to create a billion moments of calm, TRIP's community are at the heart of the brand, driving growth and guiding its innovation.""TRIP is my everyday drink," says Victoria's Secret Angel Alessandra Ambrosio. "I love the ingredients and how they make me feel calm, balanced, and grounded. The flavors are so refreshing—it's my daily dose of serenity."Actor Paul Wesley adds, "I'm a big fan of TRIP—my fridge is always stocked. The drinks taste amazing and actually help me slow down and reset, even on the busiest days. It's become part of my daily routine.