Mr Viral
The firm was founded in 2022 by Lia Coelho and Justine Dampt, both of whom have lived in the UAE for over 15 years. Its first product, Kombucha+, was introduced in 2024.
According to Dampt, the UAE is the ideal place to launch a start-up, especially one like SYP, which aims to redefine hydration through plant-based innovation.
“Hydration is a critical issue here. With extreme heat and an active population, dehydration is a real concern, yet many people still don’t drink enough water or rely on sugary, artificial drinks.
“There is an increasing demand for functional wellness products. Consumers here are health-conscious, globally aware, and open to innovation, making it the perfect market to introduce a science-backed, plant-based hydration solution.
“The retail and e-commerce opportunities are immense. The UAE is a dynamic hub for premium and wellness-focused brands, with strong platforms like Spinneys, Carrefour, and quick-commerce services that make innovative products easily accessible,” she told NutraIngredients-Asia.
Besides the UAE, SYP is available in the UK and the brand is actively working on expanding into the wider GCC region, such as Saudi Arabia, and more European markets.
“These markets have a growing interest in functional beverages, plant-based innovation, and sustainability.”
In addition, Dampt cited data from global hydration and nutrition studies, including European Hydration Institute (EHI), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO), which underscore a widespread issue regarding hydration.
“94% of people are not drinking enough water and 92% are lacking at least one essential vitamin or mineral. These figures highlight that most people are dehydrated without realising it, and nutrient deficiencies are far more common than we think. Our mission at SYP is to help bridge this gap with convenient, plant-powered hydration.
“As a certified nutrition coach and a busy mom, I wanted to create an easy, natural, and effective solution — something that elevates hydration beyond just water. One of the biggest challenges we faced was educating consumers. People often underestimate the impact of dehydration and micronutrient deficiencies, typically relying on electrolytes. However, water can offer so much more when we turn it into a proper wellness powerhouse.”
As a start-up, SYP had to navigate sourcing high-quality, real food ingredients, ensuring product stability, and landing the right retail partnerships.
“Winning the Spinneys Incubator Programme was a game-changer, providing us with immediate nationwide distribution and validating our vision.”
The firm is riding on this momentum with an upcoming appearance on Shark Tank, an American reality television series that give entrepreneurs a chance to secure investments.
“Our Shark Tank episode will air soon and we’re excited for the world to see our vision and mission, and hopefully, a game-changing investment!
“Beyond that, we are also focused on growing our community. Education is key, so we are investing in content, partnerships, and activations to show people the power of functional hydration.”
Turning everyday water into source of wellnessSYP’s product line is designed to transform water into a wellness-boosting experience with a blend of real fruits and vegetables, superfoods, electrolytes, and vitamins, said Dampt.
Currently, its products are namely Kombucha+ in two flavours (grapefruit and pomegranate) and Water+ in blueberry flavour.
“Kombucha+ is our bestseller, and it’s no surprise why. It’s a first-of-its-kind product that combines probiotics, prebiotics, and hydration in one delicious, refreshing drink.
“Gut health is a major focus in wellness right now, and people love the fact that they can support digestion while staying hydrated, without the added sugar of bottled kombucha drinks.”
These products come in a powder sachet format, which was chosen for three key reasons.
“Our packaging uses less than 1% of the plastic of a single-use plastic bottle. By eliminating plastic bottles, we reduce waste and minimise our carbon footprint. The sachet is portable and easy to mix into any bottle of water, making it perfect for travel, work, or workouts.
“Also, the powder retains the full potency of vitamins, superfoods and probiotics, offering a more effective alternative to liquid products.”
Dampt believes that there is “huge potential” for innovation in hydration, particularly in the areas of personalised nutrition, advanced gut-health hydration, sustainable packaging, and hybrid functional beverages.
“Personalised nutrition includes tailored hydration for different needs, such as sports, cognitive function, and skin health, while hybrid functional beverages refer to hydration drinks that support multiple functions like sleep, focus and immunity.
“Apart from probiotics, postbiotics and adaptogens can also be incorporated. Sustainable packaging innovations could be in the form of edible packaging and compostable sachets. We see SYP evolving to continuously push boundaries in these areas.”
Additionally, she revealed that the firm’s new product development would include formulations that further integrate brain function and longevity into hydration.
