Dubai-based wellness startup Shake Your Plants (SYP) has secured AED 1.2 million in funding following a successful appearance on Shark Tank Dubai, marking a pivotal milestone in the brand’s growth journey.
Founders Lia Coelho and Justine Dampt closed a deal with Amira Sajwani, Managing Director of DAMAC Properties and Founder of Prypco, in exchange for 20% equity. The agreement also includes a AED 2 million line of credit — providing both strategic backing and operational runway.
The founders also received competing offers from Elie Khoury, Chairman of Vivium Holding, and Mona Ataya, founder of Mumzworld, reflecting strong investor confidence in the plant-powered beverage concept.
Dampt described the partnership as more than capital. “Strategic support matters just as much as funding,” she noted, emphasizing the importance of scaling responsibly while maintaining founder control.
Built From Resilience
Shake Your Plants was born during the COVID-19 lockdowns, when Dampt began experimenting with plant-based wellness powders in her kitchen. With a background as a certified nutritionist and health coach, she wanted to create a hydration drink that moved beyond traditional sugary electrolyte formulas.
The result: kombucha-based sachets designed to turn water into a functional wellness drink — supporting gut health and hydration.
But the road was far from smooth.
In 2022, just days before a major launch, the company was forced to recall 80,000 sachets due to a manufacturing-related crystallisation issue. The setback nearly derailed the business.
Instead of retreating, the founders pursued accountability. After months of investigation, the manufacturer accepted responsibility. Dampt even relocated temporarily to Germany to resolve the dispute — a make-or-break chapter that ultimately strengthened the company’s resilience.
Reimagining Hydration
The SYP philosophy is simple: use water as a vehicle for wellness.
The brand focuses on:
- No added sugars
- No artificial colours
- Plant-powered ingredients
- Kombucha fermentation
- Carefully sourced components, including UK-grown organic blueberries
Each sachet is priced below AED 8.50, positioning the product as accessible wellness rather than premium exclusivity.
Globally, hydration and functional beverage demand is rising. According to the World Health Organization, inadequate hydration and poor nutrition remain widespread public health challenges, reinforcing consumer interest in preventative wellness products.
SYP also integrates sustainability into its sourcing approach by prioritising “imperfect” fruits — reducing food waste while lowering its environmental footprint.
Community-Led Growth
Rather than relying heavily on celebrity endorsements, Shake Your Plants has embraced micro-influencer marketing and community storytelling.
Transparency around challenges, ingredient sourcing and founder life has helped build authenticity — a key factor in modern brand trust.
The company currently offers three core products focused on hydration and gut health, with new formulas targeting sleep and energy in development.
Expansion plans include entry into Saudi Arabia and the UK, where consumer testing is already underway.
The Female Founder Edge
Dampt and Coelho openly discuss the realities of entrepreneurship — particularly as women balancing business and motherhood.
“There’s no such thing as perfect balance,” Dampt has shared, describing the experience as full-time founder meets full-time parent. Rather than seeing it as a disadvantage, the duo views it as a driver of sharper focus and disciplined execution.
Their Shark Tank win signals more than a funding milestone — it reflects a growing appetite in the UAE for wellness-driven consumer brands with strong founder narratives.
Sources
UK-based journalist covering UAE entrepreneurship, executive branding, and leadership growth across global business ecosystems.
