Three entrepreneurs have global aspirations for their energy drink brand that won backing on the BBC's Dragon's Den after early success on their doorstep.
Brothers Levi and Teddie Levenfiche and Marisa Poster, co-founders of PerfectTed, had all five dragons vie for a stake in their company when they appeared last week on the BBC1 programme, in which start-ups seek to impress business leaders.
The trio have created Europe's first matcha green tea-powered energy drink, which has already caught the attention of supermarket giant Tesco.
On Thursday night's show, Dragons Peter Jones and Stephen Bartlett agreed to work with the trio, with a £25,000 investment for a 5% share each.
"We went in there knowing exactly what we wanted and weren't leaving with anything less," said operations chief Teddie, who along with "chief energy officer" Marisa, both 25, had got up at 4am that morning for their 7am slot.
"We felt pure elation afterwards, we were both thrilled and shocked by how well it went."
The two Hampstead born brothers - Levi is two years older - attended Golders Hill Primary School before moving on to UCS in Hampstead.
After Teddie's dreams of being a footballer were crushed by an injury, he "pivoted" and followed Levi, PerfectTed's finance chief, to the University of Pennsylvania in the US.
They met Marisa at university and while juggling busy lives in finance fuelled by coffee, experienced "jitters, anxiety and crushing lows".
They turned their attention to green tea matcha, which while still caffeinated, offered a longer-lasting, anxiety-reducing release of energy.
Back in the UK they put £250,000 of their own savings into their fledgling business, as well as raising £125,000 from family.
"Our first ever stockist was Ginger & White in Hampstead," said Teddie. "We turned up there and asked if they would stock it.
"They loved that we were local; it was actually an amazing moment where it was local supporting local. We've built a national brand off of local relationships."
Marisa added: "We want to be the largest natural energy and matcha brand globally. We're already making strong moves and already available in nine countries."
The entreprenuers visited Japan to source the best matcha, and spoke to "a tonne of experts" and "incredible partners" who helped them develop a commercially viable recipe, "but really most of this is self taught," said Marisa.
"One thing we've learnt, specifically producing a physical product, is that every day is a disaster," Teddie added.
"As long as you can accept that and navigate it I really think the brands that win and products that win are the ones that can roll with the punches and get back up and keep going."
There is also a poignant element to Teddie's drive. Teddie said he lost his best friend, fellow UCS pupil Jack Morgan, to cancer in 2019.
"He inspires everything I do," he said but didn't name the company after him in case the "brand didn't work".
"I know this sounds crazy and maybe a bit wishy washy but we're not selling a food product or drinks product, we're not creating a food and beverage brand, we're trying to create a platform by which we can spread positive energy through whatever medium.
"If you look at our content, if you've ever received a piece of communication from our brand, everything is about making people smile, making people feel better about themselves, making people feel happy. Being there for people if they need anything.
"When we lead with the drinks and the products, it's how can we support people to feel their best selves and what next can we create to satisy their need."
Dragon Steven Bartlett said he was "thrilled to support this incredible product and its visionary creators".
"PerfectTed is more than just a drink, it's a symbol of what can be achieved with creativity, determination, and a willingness to take risks," he said.
"I am excited to see where this journey takes them and proud to be a part of their success story.”
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