Magic Mind
Los Angeles, US · Founded 2020 · 48 employees on LinkedIn · 5 known investors
Magic Mind produces a line of clinically-formulated mental performance drinks and sleep supplements containing ingredients like Lion's Mane, Bacopa Monnieri, and L-Theanine to support focus, cognition, and sustained energy. The products are targeted at consumers seeking cognitive enhancement and mental performance optimization.
Also known as Magic Mind
Founders & leadership
Magic Mind was founded in 2020 by William Hicks and James Beshara.
Investors · 5
Also in the syndicate · 1
Company profile
researched Aug 2026Magic Mind is a functional beverage company that markets 2 fl oz "mental performance shots" formulated with nootropics, adaptogens and functional mushrooms. Its daytime line includes three caffeine tiers — Free (0mg caffeine, 0g sugar), Original (55mg natural caffeine) and MAXX (165mg natural caffeine) — alongside a separate Sleep product positioned to improve sleep quality. The daytime formulas share an ingredient list that includes ceremonial-grade matcha, ashwagandha, bacopa monnieri, citicoline (Cognizin®), rhodiola rosea, turmeric, lion's mane, cordyceps, L-theanine, natural caffeine, agave, olive oil and B, C and D vitamins; the sleep formulation is built around ingredients such as ashwagandha, kava, chamomile, GABA, 5-HTP, L-theanine, valerian, passionflower, lemon balm, lavender and magnesium glycinate.
The company frames its products as clinically-backed, citing peer-reviewed studies for individual ingredients, a decade of research and more than 100 product iterations, and a patented nanoencapsulation process it says delivers 5x more effective absorption than pills and powders, faster onset and more consistent absorption. A scientific advisory board of physicians, researchers and dietitians — including Dr. Darshan Shah, Dr. Uma Naidoo, Dr. Michael Gervais, Sebastian Zorn, Dr. Bindiya Gandhi, Dr. Andrew Weil, Dr. Dan Engle, Dr. Christina Toutoungi, Katherine Haynes and Dr. Patrick Thompson — is described as guiding formulation. Related content marketing includes the book "Beyond Coffee: A Sustainable Guide to Nootropics, Adaptogens, and Mushrooms," co-authored by founder James Beshara with Dan Engle, MD and Katherine Haynes, MPAS, PA-C and published in fall 2019.
Founding story
Founder James Beshara previously built Tilt, which was acquihired by Airbnb in 2017, and invested in companies including Gusto, Halo Top, ThirdLove and RigUp. At age 26 he was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation after an emergency room visit and cardioversion; his doctor linked the condition to stress and heavy caffeine consumption (Beshara reported roughly seven coffees a day) and limited him to about 80mg of caffeine daily, suggesting green tea and its L-theanine content. Beshara spent years testing formulas to extend the effect of a small caffeine dose, and in 2018 rented a commercial kitchen outside San Francisco to produce a pilot powdered formula in a small bottle, informally called "James' Magic Potion," which attracted about 200 monthly subscribers. Six doctors helped finalize the initial R&D for a 12-ingredient formula, and the branded product followed.
Business model
Direct-to-consumer sales of consumable shots, sold primarily as recurring monthly subscriptions with tiered pack sizes (15, 30 or 60 bottles) at subscription discounts, alongside one-time purchase options. Orders include free 3-5 day shipping and the products are marketed as HSA/FSA eligible.
Recurring subscription revenue plus one-time product purchases. Published pricing for the Original and MAXX shots lists 15 bottles at $44.63 (from $89.25), 30 bottles at $74.25 (from $178.50) and 60 bottles at $142.80 (from $357.00), equating to $2.97, $2.47 and $2.38 per bottle respectively, with a one-time purchase price of $148.50 for 30 bottles.
Traction
The website states more than 30,000 monthly subscribers. Five months after launch in 2020 the company reported a $1 million revenue run-rate and said it was on track to profitability by the end of that year. An earlier pilot version had roughly 200 monthly subscribers in 2018. A company-cited survey reported 82% of drinkers experiencing lower fatigue, 44% improved attention and 70% lower stress.
Latest developments
In September 2025, Magic Mind was reported to have raised $12.4 million of a Series A round of nearly $16 million led by BFG Partners with participation from Rocana Venture Partners. The current product line is described as version 4.0, and the range has been extended to include a caffeine-free formula, a 165mg-caffeine MAXX formula and a Sleep product.
▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market, geography, history, risks & controversies
Market position
Positions itself as the creator of the "world's first mental performance shot," competing with coffee and conventional energy drinks; Forbes described the product as "Silicon Valley's new morning elixir."
Emphasis on ingredient dosing at levels cited in peer-reviewed research, third-party tested and patented ingredient forms such as Cognizin® citicoline, a patented nanoencapsulation delivery technology claimed to improve bioavailability, a physician-led scientific advisory board, and a 100-day refund guarantee that does not require product returns.
Technology
A patented nanoencapsulation process applied to active ingredients, which the company says bypasses first-pass digestion to deliver actives into the bloodstream, produces up to 5x more effective absorption than pills and powders, onset up to 1.5 hours faster than non-encapsulated ingredients, and more consistent absorption across individuals, validated in double-blind human studies for key actives.
Go-to-market
Direct-to-consumer online sales with a quiz-based product recommendation flow, referral credits, and a 100-day money-back guarantee marketed as a risk-free trial. Marketing leans on endorsements and testimonials from public figures including NFL quarterback Matthew Stafford, comedian Pete Holmes and Twitch founder Justin Kan, on the founder's book "Beyond Coffee," and on the scientific advisory board.
Consumers seeking focus, sustained energy and stress management, segmented by daily caffeine intake: the Free formula for non-caffeine users, Original for those drinking one to two cups of coffee a day, and MAXX for heavy caffeine users and high performers. Early adoption came from entrepreneurs, operators and early-stage investors.
Geography
United States-based operations, with the founder associated with Venice Beach, California and the Series A coverage listing Venice, California as headquarters; products ship domestically with free 3-5 day shipping.
History
The product began as a personal formulation project by James Beshara following a 2010s atrial fibrillation diagnosis, developed over roughly a decade of experimentation with nootropics, adaptogens and functional mushrooms and more than 100 iterations. A powdered pilot was produced in 2018 in a rented commercial kitchen; the same year the company received a $500,000 investment from Mike Maples at Floodgate. The branded product launched in 2020, reaching version 3.0 that year and version 4.0 subsequently, and reported a $12.4 million Series A in 2025.
Risks & controversies
Product claims regarding cognition, energy and stress are marketed as clinically backed but carry dietary-supplement disclaimers, and several efficacy statistics cited come from a company survey rather than independent trials.
Compiled by commissioned research from 8 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.
Founder mafia
3 people who came through Magic Mind went on to found or lead other companies.
Competitors · 2
by search overlapCompanies competing with Magic Mind for the same Google search keywords, organic and paid, via search-intersection analysis.
Timeline · 5
launches, deals, and filingsSeries A round led by BFG Partners with participation from Rocana Venture Partners; $12.4 million raised of a nearly $16 million target.
$12.4M source ↗
Magic Mind launched roughly five months before an August 2020 Forbes article, reaching a $1 million revenue run-rate; version 3.0 of the product was in market in 2020.
Founder James Beshara published "Beyond Coffee: A Sustainable Guide to Nootropics, Adaptogens, and Mushrooms" with co-authors Dan Engle, MD and Katherine Haynes, MPAS, PA-C; described as an Amazon bestseller in health & nutrition.
Magic Mind received $500,000 from Mike Maples at Floodgate; Maples later increased his stake after piloting versions of the product.
$500K source ↗
Beshara rented a small commercial kitchen outside San Francisco to create a pilot powdered formula in a small bottle, informally known as "James' Magic Potion," which reached about 200 monthly subscribers.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
▸Research sources · 8
primary sources listed
- Magic Mindmagicmind.com · web
8 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Magic Mind do?
- Magic Mind sells two-ounce nootropic and adaptogen "mental performance" shots and a sleep formula on a subscription model.
- Who founded Magic Mind?
- Magic Mind was founded by William Hicks, James Beshara in 2020.
- Who are Magic Mind's investors?
- Magic Mind's investors include Floodgate, JAZZ Venture Partners, Midnight, Rocana Ventures.
- Where is Magic Mind headquartered?
- Magic Mind is headquartered in Los Angeles, US.






