Olipop’s founder is stepping down as CEO

He Says He's Not Stepping Away From the Brand

The soda company's founder says the leadership shift is not a departure-but a new partnership designed to support Olipop's next phase of growth.

A leading prebiotic soda company is entering a new era.

Olipop's co-founder and formulator Ben Goodwin stepped down from his longtime role as CEO and announced Christian Patiño Webb as his successor

Since founding Olipop in 2018 alongside David Lester, Goodwin has scaled the better-for-you soda company to a $1.85 billion valuation and steered the brand's innovative product line while maintaining its health-conscious mission.

"OLIPOP has entered a new chapter of scale. I've spent the last several years focused on ensuring our mission was never compromised as we grew rapidly," Goodwin told Inc. "As the company has scaled, I've taken a moment to reflect on the areas where I can provide the most impact and where my strengths and innate talents can best serve OLIPOP in this next chapter."

Now, Goodwin will transition to executive chairman and head of innovation, furthering his commitment to Olipop's innovation, science, culture, and long-term trajectory.

Patiño Webb previously served as the CEO of science-based electrolyte beverage Electrolit. He also worked in previous leadership roles at Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, Red Bull, and Unilever, and other high-growth brands.

"Christian is the right person for this moment. He brings tremendous operating experience, but just as importantly, he shares our values and our belief that growth and integrity should never be at odds," Goodwin added.

Patiño Webb and Goodwin have already been working closely together over the last six months, according to their respective LinkedIn posts.

"We see this as a true partnership between Christian and me-bringing our respective strengths together to lead OLIPOP forward," Goodwin told Inc. "This isn't about stepping aside; it's about evolving how we lead as the company grows and being intentional about putting the right people and structure in place for what comes next."

Despite the company's impressive ten-figure valuation after concluding a successful Series C round in February 2025, when asked about a potential IPO, Goodwin said the company remains focused on "making the greatest impact at scale," and that there is currently "no specific timeline or process underway."

For now, Patiño Webb will focus on strengthening Olipop's operational infrastructure as the company enters its next phase of growth-while preserving the mission and product philosophy that has driven the brand's success.

"Everything comes back to one question: how do we make the greatest impact on consumer health at scale? That means continuing to reach more people while building a business that can support that growth for the long term," Goodwin added.

Under Goodwin's leadership, Olipop has been made available in over 65,000 retail stores nationwide, including Target, Walmart, and Whole Foods, a move that has allowed it to reach nearly one in four households, he said. The California-based brand is also a two-time Inc. 5000 recipient.