Zest Tea, a company that creates energizing tea blends with as much caffeine as a cup of coffee, has received a $1 million investment in a funding round co-led by the Lord Baltimore Capital Group and the University System of Maryland’s (USM) Maryland Momentum Fund. University of Maryland, College Park alumnus James Fayal (BS, Finance 2012) is a co-founder of the Baltimore-based startup.

“Zest Tea’s new canned, ready-to-drink flavored teas are expanding into major distribution channels and were identified by 7-Eleven, one of the largest beverage retailers in the U.S., as an emerging brand to watch. The product is beautifully branded, and the founder, James Fayal, is one of the most impressive startup CEOs that we have encountered,” said David Wise, director of the Maryland Momentum Fund.

Read the full release at the University System of Maryland.