Clayton Christopher

Mr. Christopher is the co-founder and an advisor to CAVU Venture Partners, an investment firm focused on best in class, better-for-you, food and beverage brands. Prior to CAVU, Mr. Christopher was the co-founder and CEO of Deep Eddy Vodka, which became one of the fastest growing spirits brands in the United States before being purchased by Heaven Hill Distilleries in August of 2015.

He started his entrepreneurial journey at Sweet Leaf Tea, a company he started in 1998 with $12,000 in savings and a recipe from his grandmother. Sweet Leaf grew to a nationally recognized brand and was acquired by Nestle in 2011. Mr. Christopher is also the co-founder and Chairman of Waterloo Sparkling Water. He has also served on or currently serves on the board of directors of Nulo Pet Foods, Kite Hill, Rhythm Super Foods, REBBL, Kettle & Fire, Austin Eastciders, Good Culture, Bridge Equipment Leasing and SKU, a consumer products accelerator.

In 2006, Mr. Christopher was awarded the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the year for Central Texas and is a recipient of Austin Under 40 Austinite of the Year Award. Mr. Christopher has also served on a number of non-profit boards over the years, including Mission Capital, Naturally Austin, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the University of Texas President’s Innovation Board.