At nine, Ethan Sanborn was building Kiid Coffee with his father; by 2026, the young founder’s beverage brand had reached more than 400 retailers | World News

Ethan and David Sanborn pitch Kiid Coffee on Shark Tank. Image Credit: PR Newswire

While most kids his age were still figuring out what they liked, Ethan Sanborn was helping his father build a beverage business. What started as a family endeavour to create a coffee-flavored drink for kids has gradually blossomed into Kiid Coffee, a growing brand that got national exposure from the TV show Shark Tank. By 2026, the company had expanded its retail presence to more than 400 stores, giving the young founder an opportunity to take a childhood idea into the wider consumer market.

Ethan Sanborn established Kiid Coffee with his father

The Sanborn family had a personal insight that led to the creation of Kiid Coffee. Ethan liked the taste of his father’s coffee and sometimes wanted some himself. But a little boy would not do for traditional coffee. So David Sanborn, his father, began to investigate a different sort of beverage.Ethan also broke both his legs separately, according to Food Republic. Later the family learned that nutritional deficiencies were a contributor and began paying more attention to his diet. So David started working on a drink that would have the similar coffee-inspired flavour that Ethan liked, but also other nutrients.The project eventually developed into a business. All Shark Tank Products reports that the company was founded in July 2023 and officially launched in April 2024. Ethan, who was 7 when the concept was developed, played an important part in shaping the product.Rather than creating another sugary drink aimed at children, the father-son team wanted to introduce something that could become part of a morning routine. The result was a powdered beverage that combined decaffeinated coffee with cacao, prebiotic fibre, vitamins and minerals.

What made the drink different from conventional children’s beverages

Kiid Coffee was designed to offer more than the flavour of a regular coffee drink. Its original formulation included organic decaffeinated Arabica coffee, raw cacao, prebiotic fibre and a blend of vitamins and minerals. These included calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc and vitamins A, C, D3, E, B6 and B12.The product was also developed with children’s dietary preferences in mind. It contained no added sugar and was designed to be dairy-free, soy-free and gluten-free. Its decaffeination process used water rather than chemicals, with the finished drink described as 99.9% caffeine-free.Parents could prepare it by mixing the powdered beverage with milk or water. The product was available in 3 initial flavours: Original Coffee, Caramel and Chocolate. The flavours were intended to make the drink appealing to children while providing nutrients that might otherwise be missing from their diets.Ethan’s younger brother Logan also helped out in the development process by tasting different batches. Their feedback helped the family refine the flavours, with the Chocolate version resembling hot cocoa and Caramel offering a sweeter taste.

How did Kiid Coffee secure a deal on Shark Tank

The father-son team took their idea to ABC’s Shark Tank in March 2025. According to Food Republic, David and 8-year-old Ethan entered the programme seeking $50,000 in exchange for a 5% stake in their business.During the presentation, the pair explained the product and its intended benefits. The Sharks sampled the different flavours before discussing the company’s sales, production costs and plans for growth.Food Republic reported that the drink was being sold for $14, while its production cost was approximately $3.50. Since its launch in 2024, the company has sold $75,000 in products, much of it through direct-to-consumer online sales and Amazon.The presentation attracted the attention of several investors. Kevin O’Leary offered $50,000 for 30%, Lori Greiner and Mark Cuban together offered $50,000 for 20%. Daniel Lubetzky, the founder of KIND Snacks, also offered $50,000 for a 20% share.Ethan attempted to negotiate a smaller equity arrangement, asking for 10% in exchange for the investment. However, after discussing the proposals with his father, he accepted Lubetzky’s offer. The agreement also included an additional 5% in stock options if David moved from his part-time involvement to working full-time on the company.The deal provided the young business with an investor who had experience building a consumer food brand. It also gave Kiid Coffee greater visibility beyond its existing online customer base.

The business expanded beyond its early online customers

The television appearance brought Kiid Coffee considerable attention. Food Republic reported that the company received thousands of orders shortly after the episode aired.Its retail expansion followed quickly. By August 2025, Kiid Coffee was available in more than 150 stores, according to Food Republic. A social media update from August 15, 2025, described the business as a $1 million-a-year company.The growth continued into 2026. In a press release published through PR Newswire, Kiid Coffee announced that it had expanded into more than 400 retail locations across the United States. The company had also entered grocery chains such as Raley’s in the Northwest and Fresh Thyme Market in the Midwest.The same announcement stated that the business had surpassed $2 million in annualised sales within 10 months and was on track to exceed $2 million in annual revenue. These figures reflected its projected business performance rather than a confirmed annual financial result.The product range had also grown from three flavours to 5. Alongside Original, Caramel and Chocolate, customers could choose S’mores and Minty Mocha. The company also announced plans for a caffeine-free tea range, extending its focus beyond coffee-inspired drinks.

Ethan and David have plans beyond the original product

Kiid Coffee’s development has also involved teaching children about business and food choices. The family has used Ethan’s involvement to show how a product can move from an idea to manufacturing, sales and distribution.David brought previous business experience to the venture. According to All Shark Tank Products, he studied polymer and fibre engineering at Georgia Tech and had established his first consumer brand in 2012. He later launched a pet food seasoning business in 2016, which he scaled and sold in 2020. That experience helped him understand product development and online sales before starting Kiid Coffee.