Joyce & Raissa de Haas

"From their early days as visionary entrepreneurs, Joyce and Raissa embarked on a mission to revolutionise the mixer market, recognising the evolving landscape of alcoholic beverages. Their journey began when they started innovating at university, determined to shake up the mixer market, and they developed Double Dutch as a business during their UCL Masters, winning best dissertation for Most Promising Startup. This provided the seed funding to kickstart their business and bring the world more flavourful mixers. 

 With an unwavering commitment to innovation and a keen eye for market trends, Joyce and Raissa have propelled Double Dutch's global expansion. They personally spearheaded an ambitious export strategy, resulting in the brand now proudly exporting to 45 countries, including emerging markets like China and Iraq in the last 12 months. In 2023 alone, they onboarded 2 new distributors and signed with 5 stronger partners in key export markets such as Belgium, UAE, Italy and the Nordics. In the UK, they grew their business into more premium on-trade venues, such as Koko, Northcote, BoTree, Mandrake, The Hut, Little Door & Co, Graduate, Cowley and Ladbroke. as well as securing new accounts like Mount Street, endorsing Double Dutch upon its opening. 

 At the heart of Double Dutch's success lies a relentless pursuit of innovation. Joyce and Raissa have consistently pushed boundaries, introducing dual-flavoured mixers, quinine-free tonic, and leveraging molecular gastronomy for recipe development. Their dedication to staying ahead of the curve has translated into remarkable sales figures, with over 40 million bottles sold in the last three years. 

 Beyond product innovation, Joyce and Raissa are passionate about sustainability, steering Double Dutch towards becoming 100% Carbon Neutral and achieving B Corp certification. Their commitment to conducting business responsibly underscores their dedication to making a positive impact. 

 Moreover, Joyce and Raissa are champions of equality and inclusivity, evident in their collaboration with 50 trailblazing women in hospitality for an inspiring International Women's Day campaign. This initiative evolved into the Female Bartending Scholarship programme, empowering aspiring female bartenders and fostering a culture of inclusivity within Double Dutch. With an impressive investor network, including notable figures like Lord Mervyn Davies and Ewan Venters OBE, Joyce and Raissa's entrepreneurial spirit and leadership continue to inspire and drive Double Dutch towards greater heights."