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GET A PIECE OF SANDINISTA TEQUILA
The Spirit of Liberation
Sandinista is a tequila reposado flavored with lime, sriracha, and a proprietary blend of spices. We created a new category of highly differentiated tequila. Designed from the ground up to be highly scalable and sustainable, our suppliers and distributors have national and international capacity. Our organic tequila is kosher and distilled in small batches.
$19,217.81 Raised
REASONS TO INVEST
Rare opportunity to invest at the ground floor of the world’s first sriracha flavored tequila. Sandinista is backed by a 33 state distribution contract with the second largest wine/spirit distributor in the United States, Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC).
An investment into Sandinista provides access into a high growth market. The tequila category has been increasing at a rate of 9% every year for the last three years with companies selling at multiples as high as 20x on gross revenues.
Sandinista Tequila aims to be the Red Bull of the liquor/spirit industry. Sandinista's founding partners include numerous action sports athletes. The accomplishments of our riders include multiple X Games medalists, US Open Championships, and the coveted Transworld Snowboarding Rider of the Year award.
Overview
A Reposado that Embodies the Spirit of Liberation®
Legend has it, in the late 90s, a bartender in St. Louis, Missouri named Doug Morgan concocted what everyone in town considered “the bartender’s shot”.
Mixology wasn’t yet popular at the time, and he was tired of serving the same old sweet shots. So, he decided to experiment with a few ingredients from the kitchen. A combination of Tequila Reposado, Sriracha hot sauce, lime and an imaginative spice blend created what would become known among St Louis bartenders as… the Sandinista shot!
Bartenders would say, “It makes you feel like a Nicaraguan revolutionary!”, referring to the spirit of the 1930’s Nicaraguan uprising. As Doug Morgan remembers, the Clash album, ‘Sandinista!’ was playing on repeat the night the drink was created. The legendary flavored tequila drink left its mark in the hearts and minds of local St. Louisans, and thus, the inspiration for Sandinista Tequila was born.
THE Market
The Demand for Tequila-Based Drinks is Ever-Growing, as They are Favored by US Consumers
The tequila category has been increasing at a rate of 9% every year for the last three years and has gained even more momentum during the pandemic, with sales continuing to impress at retail and ecommerce platforms (Source). Tequila is the “favorite liquor base for cocktails in the US”, by 44% (Source) and the category is forecasted to continue to grow, having been highlighted as the next category to watch (Source).
Consumers are demanding more sophisticated blends of hot spice and flavor (Source) and bartenders are increasingly seeking brands that are mixable yet unique and allow for experimentation.
TEQUILA COMPANIES ARE SELLING AT MULTIPLES AS HIGH AS 20X ON ANNUAL REVENUES
While most company acquisitions are calculated on annual net profit, tequila brands are currently selling on multiples of top line revenue. Casamigos tequila recently sold in 2017 at a 20X multiple on top line revenue.
The massive sales of alcohol companies are expanding to soft drink companies as evidenced by Energy drink maker Monster Beverage Corp entering the alcoholic drinks market through a $330 million deal for craft beer and hard seltzer producer CANarchy Craft Brewery Collective LLC.
Aviation Gin Company and Davos Brands, co-owned by actor Ryan Reynolds, sold for $610 million in 2020. The actor became a partner in the Portland, Oregon-based Gin company just two years before the sale. Where other alcohol companies utilize celebrities to develop their brands, Sandinista captures the tribes of action sports athletes, musicians, and artists who work with us to grow the brand as their own.
NATIONAL DISTRIBUTION CONTRACT
We signed a national distribution contract with Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), the second largest liquor/spirit distributor in the United States. Our distribution network gives us a significant competitive advantage above other craft spirits who rely on a network of smaller, regionally based distributors. Our contract with RNDC grants RNDC the exclusive right to distribute our product within their entire footprint within the USA. The contract currently covers Colorado and as we ramp up production we anticipate expanding distribution under the contract to up to 32 other states.
Park Street Imports, LLC (“Park Street”) is our supplier and importer for all 50 states in the USA. We currently have a distribution agreement for on and off-premise sales in Florida, New York, New Jersey, and California with Park Street.
FOUNDING partners
Our Founding Partners Include Some of the World's Best Action Sports Athletes
Our product branding is driven by the belief that action sports and action sports athletes are the catalyst behind the meteoric growth of many drink brands including Red Bull, Rockstar, and Monster Energy. We believe Sandinista is the first liquor/spirit to unite the tribes of action sports, live music and street art.
We created a program that exchanges equity in our company for endorsement partnerships with many of the world's top professional snowboarders, musicians, and artists. The accomplishments of our riders include multiple X Games medalists, US Open Championships, and the coveted Transworld Snowboarding Rider of the Year award. Our Riders have an ownership interest in the company and promote Sandinista with the goal of growing the brand.
the problem
Consumers Want better, More Enticing Ready-to-Drink Options
Bartenders and consumers are constantly looking to explore new cocktails and drinking options. Many desire the more complex, exciting serves, but are not necessarily wanting to invest the time or effort in making it. Most flavored liquors are overly sweetened and made of low quality ingredients.
The Solution
Sandinista is an Exciting and Refreshing Option that can be Consumed in a Variety of Ways
The ready-to-drink (RTD) category has exploded with options, but none of these quite compare to our 80-proof spirit that can be taken as a shot, enjoyed on the rocks or used with a simple mixer, to take your cocktail experience to the next level. Sandinista also allows consumers to create their own unique spins on simple classic cocktails like the margarita, bloody maria and even an Old Fashioned.
FRESHIE
- 2 ounces Sandinista Tequila
- 2.5 ounce pineapple juice
- 1 dash sriracha hot sauce
- Garnish: Diced or muddled jalapeño
- and cucumber; lime wedge
OLD FASHIONISTA
- 2 ounces Sandinista Tequila
- 1 teaspoon agave nectar
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Garnish: Flamed orange peel
- Garnish: Dark cherry
MARGARISTA
- 2 ounces Sandinista Tequila
- 1 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 1/2 ounce agave nectar or simple syrup
- Garnish: Salt rim
BLOODY MARISTA
- 2 ounces Sandinista Tequila
- 4 ounces tomato juice
- 1/2 ounce lemon juice
- 1/2 tablespoon horseradish
- 2 dashes Tabasco sauce
- 2 dashes sriracha hot sauce
- 1 pinch celery salt
- 1 pinch ground black pepper
- Garnish: Lime wedge
- Garnish: Lemon wedge
- Garnish: Cucumber spear
- Garnish: Sweet pepper slices
Our tequila-based spirit exhibits a smooth, semi-sweet upfront with a spicy kick at the end. Notes of citrus round out the taste profile making it refreshing and sessionable. Sandinista is delicious not only as a shot. As the smoothest, 80 proof spiced tequila in the market, it is one of the most versatile cocktail base spirits around. Its complex flavor profile allows bartenders to create intricate cocktails using basic ingredients.
FARMING AND PROCESS
Our 100% blue weber agave tequila is organically grown, certified Kosher, and naturally flavored. The agave is farmed deep in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico. After maturing for seven years, the agave hearts are brought to our solar powered distillery to be crafted. The tequila is aged for four months in virgin French oak casks. We then take our premium organic tequila and combine it with all-natural flavors of sriracha, lime and our secret spice blend.
Our distillery is the oldest in Guadalajara, Mexico, owned by the Garcia family since 1943, and makers of some of the finest tequilas in the world. Our production process from the distillery to the agave fields is completely organic, completely sustainable. Our agave is harvested the old-fashioned way by jimadors and mules. We compost all of the leftover agave to produce our own organic soil.
TRADITIONAL AUTOCLAVE DISTILLATION PROCESS
The agave pinas are slow cooked in an autoclave for 16 hours, cooking evenly through the heart of the agave. Our distiller uses a traditional process dating back to 1943. First applying steam to the agaves, then a purge, which allows the dust and wax to run off the outside of the cut pinas.
After additional cooking, another purge is done to allow the bitter juice to exit, followed by 5 more hours of steam after a long and slow cooking, with the heat already present in the autoclave. The result is a tequila with a cleaner, very crisp finish with raw agave notes.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND PACKAGING
Our brand strives for sustainability in production as well as packaging. Our bottle is designed to fit in the well behind the bar with an easy peel off label that allows bartenders to repurpose the bottle as a container for mixers and simple syrups. Each case of Sandinista Tequila features eight pop out cardboard coasters and our bottle label can be upcycled into a sticker.
our traction
Uniting the Tribes of Action Sports, Live Music, and Street Art with our Award-Winning Sriracha Tequila
Our tequila is the first sriracha flavored tequila on the market. We are gold medal winners of the 2020 SIP awards, the only internationally recognized consumer judging spirits competition.
Through partnerships with former U.S. Snowboard team member Luke Mitrani, Sandinista was featured back-stage at multiple major snowboard and events, including the 2021 X Games and the 2020 Burton US Snowboard Open.
In keeping with the spirit of Red Bull’s original grassroots guerilla marketing campaign, Sandinista is launching the brand by creating exposure through action sports and music festivals.
Our October and November events included Chad Otterstrom’s Summer is Dead party at RMU Breckenridge, the Stimulus movie premier at Brooklyn’s Tavern and the Haunted Hacienda at Mi Chola Aspen. We will be featured at multiple Winter X-Games Parties. We are available on-menu and as a “To Go Cocktail” at the bottom of Gondola 1 in Vail at 7 Hermits Brewery.
NOTABLE ON PREMISE COLORADO LOCATIONS
In a brief one month period, our sales team has secured on-menu placements at a number of the most notable mountain restaurants and bars of Vail, Aspen, and Breckenridge.
what we do
Delivering One-Of-A-Kind Tequila to Consumers, Through Partnerships with the Action Sports and Music Festival Community
Sandinista Tequila is a collaboration between a group of former bartenders, professional snowboarders, and the oldest distillery in Guadalajara, Mexico. Sandinista is crafted to be the smoothest spiced tequila in the world, using a proprietary recipe of organic spices and flavors. Carefully distilled in small batches using the finest blue weber agave, the tequila is aged for 4 months in virgin, flame charred, French White Oak casks.
We focus our marketing efforts on supporting and connecting our target market through grassroots music festivals and action sports event sponsorships. We capitalize on social media by creating a brand that directly speaks to its consumer base. We are planting seeds to create a critical mass of synergy between our tequila and action sports, with an initial emphasis on snowboarding and skateboarding.
SCALABLE AND SUSTAINABLE
Sandinista Tequila is fundraising right now because we see an amazing opportunity to create a new category of highly differentiated tequila. Our company is assembled and designed to be both sustainable and scalable. We have brand partnerships with major distributors and vendors, while also utilizing organic farming practices and all-natural flavors. Our flavor formula is provided by one of the largest flavor companies in the world, Archer Daniels Midland, and our distributor, RNDC is the second largest liquor/spirit distributor in the United States.
BRANDING THE SPIRIT OF LIBERATION:
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND TRADEMARKS
Our brand development team focuses on the creation of easily identifiable, ubiquitous images that distinguish our logo apart from the competition. The Spirit of Liberation, Agave and Sword, and emblazoned Sandino are all REGISTERED TRADEMARKS of our Company.
GIF
Our bottle is designed to fit in the well behind the bar with an easy peel off label that allows bartenders to repurpose the bottle as a container for mixers and simple syrups. Each case of Sandinista Tequila features eight pop out cardboard coasters and our bottle label can be upcycled into a sticker.
ONLINE DIGITAL MARKETING PROGRAM
On the marketing front, we have launched an online store and hired industry-leading specialists to help us drive our digital marketing and other key marketing programs such as SEO-optimized content, email funnel marketing, trade PR, social media marketing. Our tequila is now available for purchase in 40 states as of via our online store. We have an active ongoing social media marketing and sales campaign via a partnership with a major data analytics and marketing company.
We also have an at-home drinking marketing strategy, whereby we are partnering with bartenders to create ‘how-to’ video content to both promote at-home drinking occasions and support bartenders across the country via Instagram. Ted Collins, “Miami New Times Bartender of the Year” for 2017 is our first featured bartender.
WHY INVEST
Sandinista is Unique in its Approach and Offering, and is Highly Scalable with its Large Distribution Network
In an industry that is seeing a large number of artisanal, craft, and small batch startups, Sandinista stands out as a highly scalable, easily differentiated, ultra-premium flavored tequila that successfully leverages a significant grass roots campaign movement on a minimal budget.
We are one of a select few, pre-revenue spirit companies serviced by a national distributor. Our distribution contract with Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) provides us with a significant competitive advantage over other craft spirits that rely on smaller distribution networks. Become our investor as we grow our company to become the first action sports branded spirit and the first sriracha flavored tequila, “The Spirit of Liberation.”
THE VISION
Our goal is to unite the tribes of action sports, live music and street art. In 5 years we hope to redefine the liquor and spirit industry’s relationship with action sports.
Part of our tribal guerilla marketing strategy will involve supporting non-profits and activists with interests that align with the multitude of tribes that make up the Sandinista target audience. We began our non-profit outreach with skate parks, providing them with assistance. We have also created an alliance with the Lion Project, Denver. A non-profit that helps orphans obtain adopted parents by creating a video media to share their story.
ABOUT
HEADQUARTERS
1111 Brickell Ave, Suite 2000
Miami, FL 33131
WEBSITE
View Site
Sandinista is a tequila reposado flavored with lime, sriracha, and a proprietary blend of spices. We created a new category of highly differentiated tequila. Designed from the ground up to be highly scalable and sustainable, our suppliers and distributors have national and international capacity. Our organic tequila is kosher and distilled in small batches.
TEAM
David Larson
CEO, Director and Treasurer
In addition to his work in creating Sandinista, he is adept in numerous real estate strategies, including real estate strategic planning, land use advisory, and debt capital markets execution. Mr. Larson has been involved in over $700 million in debt arrangement, investment sales, and structured finance transactions.
Silvio Leal
Partner & COO
Education
University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School, Executive Management
Northwestern University, Kellogg, Consumer Marketing
Boston University, School of Management
Miami Dade College
Hours worked per week: ~20
Luke Mitrani
Partner
Luke’s life drastically changed during an Olympic qualifying event in New Zealand, where he had one of the worst crashes that the snowboarding world had ever seen. During his recovery, he came to understand the full healing power that music has, and turned a career ending moment into an opportunity.
Luke has been instrumental in connecting the Team at Sandinista to the world of both professional snowboarding and live music.
Hours worked per week: ~5
Anya Strauss
Partner
Some of her most notable client work has been with Sprite, NBA, New Belgian Fat Tire, Monster Energy, Scion, and Denver Zombie Crawl. Anya also knows the distribution side of the business, representing a diverse portfolio in the Vail Valley. She brings unique business development opportunities with creative strategy and the ability to execute thanks to her dynamic background. Anya is fluent in Spanish and her partner is professional snowboarder Danny Kass.
Hours worked per week: ~30
Kent Tran
Partner
In 2017, Kent acquired a majority position in a traditional brick & mortar grocery store. He has grown his inventory and sales to a multi million dollar e-commerce business and is continuing to scale the operation to a 10 million dollar gross annual sales within 5 years of starting. Kent understands the importance of positioning products locally as well as globally. He is bringing his expertise to Sandinista with a strong commitment, thorough planning, product development, and execution for success.
Hours worked per week: ~20
Michael Delano
Partner
Michael has over 15 years of experience in commercial and sports project management, specializing in operational and logistics planning. Michael’s wife, Mary brings more than a decade of experience in spirits advertising, specializing in retail strategy. She's worked on a variety of brands under the Bacardi, Sazerac and Gallo portfolios – Together they've done their share of market research and believe that Sandinsta is the next spirits brand to take the US by storm.
Hours worked per week: ~10
TERMS
Sandinista Tequila
Overview
PRICE PER SHARE
$6.90
DEADLINE
Jun. 30, 2023 at 6:59 AM UTC
VALUATION
$8.34M
FUNDING GOAL
$10k - $1000k
Breakdown
MIN INVESTMENT
$248.40
MAX INVESTMENT
$999,996.30
MIN NUMBER OF SHARES OFFERED
1,449
MAX NUMBER OF SHARES OFFERED
144,927
OFFERING TYPE
Equity
ASSET TYPE
Common Stock
SHARES OFFERED
Common Stock
Maximum Number of Shares Offered subject to adjustment for bonus shares
*Maximum Number of Shares Offered subject to adjustment for bonus shares. See Bonus info below.
Voting Rights of Securities Sold in this Offering
Voting Proxy. Each Investor shall appoint the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “CEO”), or his or her successor, as the Investor’s true and lawful proxy and attorney, with the power to act alone and with full power of substitution, to, consistent with this instrument and on behalf of the Investor, (i) vote all Securities, (ii) give and receive notices and communications, (iii) execute any instrument or document that the CEO determines is necessary or appropriate in the exercise of its authority under this instrument, and (iv) take all actions necessary or appropriate in the judgment of the CEO for the accomplishment of the foregoing. The proxy and power granted by the Investor pursuant to this Section are coupled with an interest. Such proxy and power will be irrevocable. The proxy and power, so long as the Investor is an individual, will survive the death, incompetency and disability of the Investor and, so long as the Investor is an entity, will survive the merger or reorganization of the Investor or any other entity holding the Securities. However, the Proxy will terminate upon the closing of a firm commitment underwritten public offering pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 covering the offer and sale of Common Stock or the effectiveness of a registration statement under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 covering the Common Stock.
Time-Based Perks
First Week - Friends & Family 30% Bonus Shares.
Next 2 days - Friends & Family 20% Bonus Shares.
Next 4 days - Early Bird 10% Bonus Shares.
Next 2 days - Early Bird 5% Bonus Shares
Amount-Based Perks
$500+
Set of Sandinista branded bandana and stickers (Unique to Investors)
$1,000+
Sandinista T-Shirt with logo design, Sandinista embroidered hat.
$5,000+
2 Sandinista engraved sipping glasses.
$10,000+
5% bonus shares.
$20,000+
7% bonus shares + 1 dedicated Tasting Event with the Owner and Sandinista team with fellow $20K+ investors at one of our partner lounges. Plus 1 guest allowed.
$75,000+
10% bonus shares + cocktail-making class with one of our mixologists/bartenders. Flights & hotel are included and will be booked by the Sandinista team.
$100,000+
15% bonus shares + Trip to Mexico with fellow $100K investors and Sandinista owner team to meet with our Master Distiller. Flights & hotel are included and will be booked by the Sandinista team.
*In order to receive perks from an investment, one must submit a single investment in the same offering that meets the minimum perk requirement. Bonus shares from perks will not be granted if an investor submits multiple investments that, when combined, meet the perk requirement. All perks occur when the offering is completed.
**All levels include non-bonus share perks from lower levels.
The 10% StartEngine Owners’ Bonus
Sandinista, Inc. will offer 10% additional bonus shares for all investments that are committed by investors that are eligible for the StartEngine Crowdfunding Inc. Owner’s bonus.
This means eligible StartEngine shareholders will receive a 10% bonus for any shares they purchase in this offering. For example, if you buy 100 shares of Common Stock at $6.90/ share, you will receive and own 110 shares of Common Stock for $690.
Fractional shares will not be distributed and share bonuses will be determined by rounding down to the nearest whole share. This 10% Bonus is only valid during the investor's eligibility period. Investors eligible for this bonus will also have priority if they are on a waitlist to invest and the company surpasses its maximum funding goal. They will have the first opportunity to invest should room in the offering become available if prior investments are canceled or fail. Investors will only receive a single bonus, which will be the highest bonus rate they are eligible for.
Investors will receive the highest single bonus they are eligible for among the bonuses based on the amount invested and time of offering elapsed (if any). Eligible investors will also receive the Owner’s Bonus in addition to the aforementioned bonus.
Irregular Use of Proceeds
The Company will not incur any irregular use of proceeds.
ALL UPDATES
REWARDS
10%
Stack Owner's Bonus & Rewards!
Members get an extra 10% shares in addition to rewards below!
Owner’s Bonus
Owner’s Bonus Members earn 10% bonus shares on top of this and all eligible investments for an entire year. Not a member? Sign up at checkout ($275/year).
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Crowdfunding
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