MATI Energy is expanding its reach into Texas, adding a national distributor for its “natural, healthy energy beverage” and is planning to hire additional employees with $2.5 million in additional financing.

While not disclosing revenues, MATI says sales have tripled over the past year. It also recently launched three new flavors developed by its own researchers.

Founded by Tatiana Birgisson while a student at Duke in 2012, MATI secured backing from IDEA Fund Partners, Duke Angel Network, and DUMAC, an investment group controlled by Duke University. The three led the round. MATI also was backed by several angel investors as part of the round. Just last August, MATI raised $2.1 million.

Birgisson on Tuesday night was recognized as one of six individual winners in WRAL TechWire Awards program.

“We are fortunate to have supportive investors that continue to believe in MATI; almost every past investor has re-upped in this round to support our growth initiatives, a tremendous testament to the growth we’ve achieved and our plans for the future,” Birgisson said in a statement Wednesday.

MATI has grown to 25 employees from eight over the past year and recently observed the one-year anniversary of its production plant in Johnston County.

The new Texas retailer is HEB, and the national distributor is UNFI. They join MATI’s current retailers Whole Foods, Kroger, Earth Fare, Lowes Foods, and Sam’s Club. Its drinks are also sold through Amazon.

“Thankfully, we built our Clayton facility with plenty of capacity and made the decision to open it when we did. I’m so happy we control the production side of MATI which allows us to ensure the highest quality in every run,” Birgisson said.

What is MATI Energy?

What if energy drinks were good for you?

Artificial ingredients, synthetic caffeine, and tons of sugar or high fructose corn syrup are typical ingredients in energy drinks, but you’ll never find them in MATI Energy. MATI Energy is the first craft, small batch healthy energy drink. It starts by using the best ingredients and a mission to provide high-functioning, no crash energy drinks.

The secret is in our brewery. MATI’s proprietary brewing process extracts the optimal amount of energy from guayusa, an Amazonian super leaf packed with naturally occurring caffeine and more antioxidants than green tea.

Source: MATI Energy

[VIDEO: Watch a video about MATI at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_LtfMaKqWc ]