A new energy drink, developed by a Maltese entrepreneur to help manage his ADHD, has reached local shelves, with over 11,000 cans sold or pre-sold within the first weeks of its launch.
A shipment of 100,000 cans of the drink, named MEYN, arrived in Malta on July 23. According to its creator, 10,500 cans were pre-sold prior to arrival and 1,000 were sold in the first week.
Its creator, Matthew Cassar, 30, who was diagnosed with ADHD two years ago, said he had so far received “overwhelmingly positive” feedback.
“People who have ADHD have told me how MEYN is helping them focus and this makes me very happy since it’s the reason why I started it,” he said.
The drink, which includes ingredients such as lion’s mane mushroom, ginseng, maca root and naturally sourced caffeine, is now available in some shops and supermarkets alongside popular beverage brands.
New energy drink MEYN sits alongside other beverages on the shelves. Photo: Matthew Cassar“It’s intimidating taking on the well-established giants but I know we offer something totally different and I’m sure that, by continuing to build a brand that people can relate to and bringing genuine results, we can grow into something huge,” he said.
Now that it is officially on the market, the next step is to grow MEYN locally and beyond Maltese shores with the help of investors and international distributors.
Born out of necessity… in his kitchen
Cassar began experimenting with natural ingredients in his kitchen to find a healthier way to manage his ADHD.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity and emotional dysregulation.
People who have ADHD have told me how MEYN is helping them focus
Like many others, Matthew had turned to coffee and energy drinks to help him concentrate. But Matthew wasn’t a fan of coffee and he knew the typical energy drinks on the market were packed with unhealthy ingredients. So, he decided to take matters into his own hands.
Matthew experimented with natural ingredients in his home to create MEYN.
He started by ordering a kilo of caffeine and mixing it with fruit juices in his own kitchen. After conducting some research, he experimented by adding other natural ingredients, eventually developing a recipe.
Out of kitchen… and into the world
He began producing around 100 bottles a week in his own home – something he did for a year. As demand grew, he realised he needed to scale up production.
Matthew partnered with experts in Austria to refine the formula and create a shelf-stable version of the drink that comes in two flavours: tropical passion and sour berry.
He then sought the support of the public through a Zaar crowdfunding campaign to raise €5,000 to kickstart MEYN – a name that makes reference to the ingredient lion’s mane and which symbolises the strength and energy of a lion.
Through crowdfunding he collected over €17,750, which went toward funding the first stock and taking it to market.
MEYN is available through selected retailers and online via the company’s website.