Unlock the Future: Invest in SoNo 1420’s Ultra-Premium Spirits & Qnetic’s Game-Changing Energy Storage

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In each issue of Invst Guru, we'll spotlight the latest trends, share success stories, and offer insights from industry leaders. We aim to equip you with the knowledge and opportunities to participate effectively in equity crowdfunding, whether you're looking to fund your innovative startup or invest in potential unicorns.

SoNo 1420's Investment Offering

Company Overview: SoNo 1420, America’s Maritime Distillery, is a craft distillery in South Norwalk, Connecticut. The company produces ultra-premium, award-winning spirits influenced by New England’s coastal climate. Their product lineup includes whiskey, vodka, and ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails. A unique innovation in their whiskey production incorporates milled hemp seed into the mash and finishes whiskey barrels at sea. This Reg CF equity offering is available through StartEngine, allowing investors to participate in the company's growth.

Investment Offering:

• Price per Share: $2.81

• Valuation: $24.95 million

• Minimum Investment: $348.44

• Maximum Investment: $1,234,997.81

• Deadline: October 29, 2024

• Shares Offered: Common Stock, between 5,338 and 439,501 shares, with potential for bonus shares.

• Funding Goal: $15,000 to $1.23 million

Key Reasons to Invest:

1. Passion for Quality & Leadership: SoNo 1420 is driven by a passion for the quality of its award-winning spirits and the entrepreneurial leadership of its founders, who bring over 30 years of experience in building successful companies.

2. Innovation: The distillery’s portfolio includes gold medal bourbons and vodkas, ready-to-mix cocktails, and the unique use of milled hemp seed in its whiskey. Its spirits are recognized for both innovation and exceptional flavor, and its products are consistently rated “Excellent.”

3. Success and Growth: The company has achieved year-over-year growth, generated $1.3 million in revenue in 2023, and is expanding its manufacturing capacity, distribution networks, and market reach.

Team:

• Ted Dumbauld (Founder & Co-CEO, CFO): With 30 years of experience in entrepreneurship and leadership, Ted is a former U.S. Navy officer and nuclear engineer who served as the CEO of Curaleaf, helping it go public with a $4 billion valuation.

• Scott Tuck (Co-CEO & Board Member): A veteran with 38 years of experience in corporate leadership and sales, Scott has a background in asset management and has worked with Ted for over 12 years.

• Joseph Sutton (Board Member): An experienced entrepreneur in the energy and infrastructure sectors, Joseph was previously Vice Chairman of Enron and is a retired U.S. Army Colonel.

Products & Innovations: SoNo 1420’s portfolio includes:

• Flagship Whiskeys: Double Gold and Gold Medal winners, these whiskeys incorporate milled hemp seed in their mash, providing a unique taste and smooth finish. The company also ages its barrels at sea, adding a distinctive maritime flavor.

• Blaze Cinnamon Bourbon Whiskey: An ultra-premium, award-winning spirit accompanied by ready-to-drink “Blazin Peaches Lemonade” cocktails.

• Vo Vodkas: Rated “Excellent” by Wine Enthusiast with a score of 93, these vodkas are highly recommended for their quality.

• Threesome Ready-to-Mix Cocktails: These pre-mixed cocktails provide consumers with convenience and a perfectly balanced bartender-quality pour.

Business Model and Market Strategy: SoNo 1420 is expanding its footprint in the ultra-premium spirits market, valued at $242.2 billion, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5%. They have established a strong presence in Connecticut and several other states. They distribute their spirits through direct sales, partnerships with top-tier distributors, and an e-commerce platform that ships to 30 states.

The distillery’s tasting room and bar serve as community hubs, reflecting its maritime heritage and prohibition-era style. They offer both private and corporate events.

Market Traction & Partnerships: The company has gained recognition through numerous awards and partnerships, including collaborations with the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association, Copps Island Oyster Company, and Mohegan Sun Gaming and Resorts. These partnerships help SoNo 1420 continue to build its brand and increase visibility.

Future Plans: SoNo 1420 plans to launch a new line of THC-infused ready-to-drink cocktails, tapping into the rapidly growing market for cannabis-infused beverages. Although not yet available, this product line represents the company’s commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation.

Conclusion: Investing in SoNo 1420 offers the opportunity to join a veteran-owned, fast-growing distillery with a passion for innovation, quality, and success. Backed by an experienced leadership team, the company is positioned to expand further into the premium spirits market, making this offering an exciting venture for investors looking to enter the space.

Today’s Sponsors 💰

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Energy storage with zero lithium and zero-degradation

Qnetic is an innovative energy storage company disrupting the renewable energy sector with its flywheel technology, which offers significant advantages over traditional lithium-ion batteries. Here’s a detailed summary and overview of their campaign on Wefunder:

Investment Opportunity

• Goal: $618,000

• Raised So Far: $110,630

• Minimum Investment: $300

• Technology: Flywheel energy storage that provides long-duration storage without relying on lithium or chemical processes.

• VC-Backed: Qnetic has previously raised $2 million, including $500,000 from venture capital firm SOSV and $75,000 from syndicate lead Bjorn Seegers.

Key Features & Advantages

1. Zero Degradation & Long Lifespan: Unlike lithium-ion batteries, Qnetic’s system does not degrade over time, offering zero capacity fade even after decades of use. This ensures higher customer revenue as no replacement costs are due to degradation.

2. Cost-Effective: Thanks to reduced maintenance and replacement costs, Qnetic is projected to be 50% cheaper than lithium-ion batteries over its operational lifetime.

3. Temperature Resilience: The system is highly resilient to temperature changes, performing well in hot and cold summers, unlike lithium-ion batteries, which are sensitive to temperature fluctuations.

4. Local Manufacturing: Qnetic’s products are manufactured in the U.S. for American customers and in Europe for European customers, addressing supply chain concerns associated with lithium-ion batteries that are predominantly sourced from China.

Traction and Market Momentum

Qnetic has secured over $100 million in signed Letters of Intent (LOIs) from industry leaders, including major deals with AREVON (Tesla Megapack’s largest customer). This strong market confidence indicates significant demand for its flywheel technology, which outperforms traditional battery solutions in durability and sustainability. The LOIs alone provide enough business to cover the company's U.S. assembly line's first two years of production, positioning it for rapid growth.

Technology and Innovation

Qnetic’s flywheel technology stores energy mechanically, using a motor to spin a rotor that converts electricity into kinetic energy. When energy is needed, the motor switches to generator mode, efficiently converting the stored kinetic energy into electricity. Unlike traditional flywheels, designed for short-duration energy storage, Qnetic is engineered explicitly for long-duration storage, making it ideal for bridging gaps in renewable energy supply.

What They’ve Accomplished

• Prototype Development: Qnetic has built a fully functional 25% scale prototype (VEGA), proving the system's high performance and durability.

• Patents: They have filed three patent applications to protect their core innovations around the rotor, the bearing system, and a permanent magnet bearing.

• Strategic Partnerships: Qnetic has formed relationships with leading suppliers and industry experts to support its growth and scalability.

The Team

The leadership team at Qnetic includes experts with extensive experience in engineering, product design, and global business management:

• Michael Pratt (CEO): An award-winning product design specialist with 16 years of experience and a track record of successful, innovative products.

• Loïc Bastard (CTO): An expert in rotor dynamics and complex rotating systems, with prior experience at Siemens and Envision Energy.

• Malcolm Mathews (COO): A global executive with 30 years of leadership experience across multiple industries, formerly a CFO at Johnson Controls.

Vision and Future Plans

Qnetic envisions a future where renewable energy can power everything with no downtime. Their goal is to revolutionize energy storage by providing clean, efficient, and reliable storage solutions that can last for decades. This will play a critical role in helping the world achieve its climate goals by making renewable energy more practical and sustainable.

Why Invest Now?

Qnetic is positioned at the forefront of the rapidly growing long-duration energy storage market, doubling in demand every three years. With $100M in LOIs already secured, this is a unique opportunity to invest in a company that has the potential to transform the energy landscape and make green energy truly sustainable.

For more details and updates, you can visit Qnetic’s Wefunder page.

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