Liquid Death is a private beverage company headquartered in Los Angeles, California, United States. The brand is known for selling canned mountain water, sparkling water, and flavored beverages with a bold marketing style inspired by heavy metal and punk culture.
The company was founded in 2017 by Mike Cessario, a former creative director in the advertising industry. His goal was to make water “cool” and compete with sugary drinks by using edgy branding and recyclable aluminum cans.
Since its launch, Liquid Death has grown rapidly and is now sold in major retailers such as Whole Foods, Target, Walmart, and convenience stores across the United States. The brand has also built a large online following through viral marketing campaigns.
As of 2026, Mike Cessario serves as the CEO and continues to lead the company’s strategy and brand direction.
Ownership Status of Liquid Death
Liquid Death is a privately held company, meaning it is not publicly traded on any stock exchange. Because of this, there is no single publicly listed owner, and the company’s ownership is shared among its founder and several private investors and venture capital firms.
Ownership percentages are not fully disclosed publicly, but the company has raised hundreds of millions of dollars through funding rounds, bringing in multiple strategic investors.
Major Shareholders
| Shareholder / Entity | Ownership Percentage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mike Cessario | Undisclosed | Founder and CEO; believed to be one of the largest individual shareholders. |
| Science Inc. | Undisclosed | Early investor that helped incubate and support the company’s growth. |
| Live Nation Entertainment | Undisclosed | Strategic investor that helped expand the brand through music and event partnerships. |
| Various celebrity investors | Undisclosed | Includes investors such as Tony Hawk, musicians, and entertainment figures. |
Note: Because Liquid Death is private, exact ownership percentages are not publicly available.
About the Owner Mike Cessario
Mike Cessario is an American entrepreneur, marketing executive, and the founder of Liquid Death. Before launching the beverage brand, he worked for many years in the advertising industry as a creative director. Cessario previously worked with well-known agencies such as VaynerMedia, where he developed marketing campaigns for major brands.
He founded Liquid Death in 2017 with the idea of making water more appealing to younger audiences through bold branding inspired by heavy metal culture. Instead of traditional plastic bottles, the company sells water in aluminum cans, promoting sustainability while using edgy and humorous marketing. Under Cessario’s leadership as CEO, Liquid Death has grown into one of the fastest-growing beverage startups in the United States and is now sold in thousands of retail stores nationwide.
Mike Cessario Net Worth
The exact net worth of Mike Cessario is not publicly disclosed because Liquid Death is a privately held company. However, his wealth is closely tied to his ownership stake in the company.
Liquid Death has raised multiple funding rounds and has reached a valuation of over $1 billion, making it a “unicorn” startup. Because Cessario is the founder and a major shareholder, industry estimates suggest his net worth is likely in the tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on his remaining equity in the company and future growth of the brand. As Liquid Death continues expanding into new beverage categories and international markets, his overall net worth could increase significantly.
Key Shareholder Highlights
Liquid Death’s ownership structure reflects a mix of entrepreneurial leadership, venture capital backing, and celebrity investors.
For example:
- Mike Cessario created the company and remains the driving force behind its branding and marketing strategy. His leadership has helped turn Liquid Death into one of the fastest-growing beverage startups in the U.S.
- Science Inc., a venture capital and startup studio, supported the brand in its early stages and helped scale operations.
- Live Nation Entertainment invested in the company to integrate the brand into concerts, festivals, and live entertainment events.
- The company has also attracted celebrity investors, including athletes and musicians, who help promote the brand to younger audiences.
This mix of investors has helped Liquid Death grow rapidly while maintaining its unique brand identity.
Recent Developments in Ownership
Liquid Death has raised multiple funding rounds between 2019 and 2024, attracting major investors from the beverage, entertainment, and venture capital industries.
Some key developments include:
- The company achieved unicorn status (valuation above $1 billion) after major funding rounds.
- New investors from the consumer goods and entertainment sectors have joined to help expand distribution and marketing.
- Strategic partnerships have also helped Liquid Death expand into flavored drinks, iced tea, and other beverage categories.
Because the company continues to raise capital, ownership percentages may change over time as new investors join.
FAQs
1. Who is the current owner of Liquid Death?
There is no single owner. Liquid Death is privately owned by its founder Mike Cessario and multiple investors, including venture capital firms and celebrity backers.
2. Is Liquid Death publicly traded or privately owned?
Liquid Death is a privately held company and is not listed on any stock exchange.
3. Who founded Liquid Death?
The company was founded by Mike Cessario in 2017.
4. Has the ownership changed recently?
Yes. Ownership changes from time to time as the company raises funding and brings in new investors.