Alex Wright and Jack Scott, co-founders of DASH Water, have revolutionised the UK soft drinks industry by tackling global food waste. 

Both from farming backgrounds, they saw firsthand the staggering reality - up to 40% of food grown globally goes to waste. In 2017, they turned this insight into action, launching DASH Water – a brand that uses surplus or wonky fruit to create naturally flavoured sparkling water with no sugar, sweeteners, or calories.

The pair met while working for a mainstream soft drinks company, where they identified a gap in the market for a soft drink range committed to protecting people and the planet. This fresh approach to sustainability secured them early backing from Virgin Startup with Richard and Holly Branson remaining loyal supporters of the brand.

Starting the business at just 24 years of age, Alex and Jack were both naive and optimistic, which allowed them to challenge the status quo without being limited by traditional norms. With no manufacturing experience, they began experimenting with infusing water with imperfect fruit, carbonating it, and taking it to local parks for feedback.  

Their innovative approach has earned them high-profile fans like Ellie Goulding and Victoria Beckham, along with investors such as Johnny Sexton and the founders of Sipsmith and Beavertown. Their success was recognised early when the pair were named on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

From the outset, Alex and Jack built DASH Water with a clear, purpose-driven strategy: to disrupt the soft drinks industry with a product that champions taste, health, and sustainability. Their mission was simple yet bold: to create delicious sparkling water using wonky fruit and vegetables – perfectly imperfect produce that might otherwise go to waste.