No. IV Issue 4 · April 6, 2026
Formula 1

Lewis Hamilton Is Betting on What Comes After the Podium

From Formula 1 to non-alcoholic spirits and film — Hamilton's off-track empire is accelerating faster than anything he's done behind the wheel.

Lewis Hamilton Is Betting on What Comes After the Podium

Lewis Hamilton has won seven Formula 1 World Championships. But the business he's building off the track might outlast all of them. In 2022 he co-founded Almave, a non-alcoholic agave spirits brand developed with Mexican master distiller Casa Lumbre — positioning himself at the intersection of luxury wellness and sustainable agriculture before either trend hit the mainstream.

Almave closed a $20M Series A in March 2026, backed by LVMH Ventures and Talis Capital, placing the brand's valuation at $85M. Distribution now covers 18 countries with listings in Harrods, Selfridges, Galeries Lafayette, and 400+ Michelin-starred restaurants. The brand moved 1.2M units in 2025 — its first full commercial year.

Alongside Almave, Hamilton's Dawn Apollo Films has three projects in post-production with streaming commitments totalling £30M. He holds equity positions in three European tech startups through his family office. The infrastructure is in place — Hamilton is playing a 20-year game.

"Formula 1 gave me discipline. Business gave me freedom. You study the competition, you build a system, and then you execute."

— Lewis Hamilton, Co-Founder, Almave
$85M Almave valuation — Series A, March 2026

Previous Issues

No. 002

LeBron James Is Not a Brand. He's a Business.

April 5, 2026Basketball
No. 003

Naomi Osaka Built a Skincare Brand Athletes Actually Need

April 6, 2026Tennis