Starting a Drinks Company

irish_goat

Right so I've invented my own liqueur, which I believe is very very marketable but I've no idea what to do next. Been thinking about going to chat to Enterprise Ireland but I've a terrible feeling that if the idea behind the drink got out anywhere that it could easily be stolen. If I launched it from a small company I can't see how a big company like Diageo couldn't just replicate the drink and completely dominate any chance I had of succeeding through their sheer market power.

The other idea of course is approaching Diageo(or someone else) with the drink but then I can't see how I can sell the idea to them without telling them it and then what's to stop them just making the drink without paying me a cent?

There's nothing particular complex about the liqueur, it just has one particular ingredient that hasn't been used in any product on the market but would be easily replicated. To give an example, let's say I've made "Beef Vodka", it's not going to be too hard to replicate the product if I tell it anyone/don't secure myself as the main brand from the onset.

Cheers for any advice.

Gloomtastic!

John Teeling at Cooley Distillery is the man you need to talk to. Get yourself a good non-disclosure agreement and go for a licensing deal with him. He has the balls and the cash to fight the big boys. They'll kill you as soon as they hear about any new competition in their market and they don't mess about.

Good luck to you! Hic!

Dutchie

I have had dealings with the founder of Baileys Irish Cream. He works as a consultant now. PM me and i will forward you his details.