Bonne O

About Bonne O

Bonne O Holdings Inc., a Toronto-based company, entered the home beverage market with a system designed to carbonate a wide range of drinks. Founded in 2014 by Darren Hatherell, the company positioned itself as an alternative to existing CO2 tank-based systems. Hatherell, serving as President, guided the company through multiple funding rounds to support its growth and product development. The company secured significant capital, including a Series B financing round of $7.5 million, to scale its operations and launch its next-generation product, Spärkel.

The core business revolves around selling a countertop beverage carbonation system directly to consumers as an internet-first brand. The system's key differentiator is its use of solid carbonation pucks or tablets instead of the traditional CO2 cylinders used by competitors like SodaStream. These tablets are composed of ingredients like citric acid, sodium bicarbonate, and potassium bicarbonate, which react to release CO2 that carbonates the beverage. This model eliminates the need for consumers to exchange or refill bulky CO2 tanks. Revenue is generated from the initial sale of the beverage system and the recurring purchase of proprietary carbonator pucks.

The Bonne O, and later the Spärkel system, allows users to carbonate not just water, but also juices, teas, and even wine, directly infusing real ingredients and flavors into the liquid during the carbonation process. This capability to carbonate any liquid and infuse flavors from fresh fruit or other sources at the same time was a central feature of the product. The appliance operates by placing water and a carbonator puck in a specific chamber, while the beverage and any fresh ingredients are placed in a reusable, BPA-free bottle. The machine then carbonates the liquid, a process that takes a bit longer than some competing systems but is noted for being quieter. The company later rebranded, and its product line is now known as Spärkel, continuing the mission to allow consumers to create customized, bubbly drinks at home.