Three students from Monash University have launched an alcoholic seltzer brand, Wonki, for presale on the crowdfunding platform possible.

They are almost halfway through raising the Goal of $30,000 turn Wonki to a ready-made reality.

Wonki was developed in Monash’s Fastrack Accelerator program by co-founders Gabriel Tucker, Max Moolman and Briget Lansell.

The team at the alcoholic seltzer brand came up with an eco-friendly business model using landfill-bound fruit for the drinks with the help of local manufacturers.

Wonki partners with Farmers Pick for produce sourcing, Market Juice for juicing, and the final product manufactured at Gypsy Hub.

Industry connections helped the Wonki team learn about Australia’s landfill crisis from local experts and also try out the manufacturing process.

Tucker said they wanted to create an environmentally friendly method of ensuring perfectly edible produce comes from the farm, unlike the other 25% who typically don’t.

Wonki Cucumber and Lime can

“We’re also college students, so premium drinks with a cool aesthetic and fresh taste naturally excite us,” Tucker said.

Wonki’s alcoholic seltzers are the first in the Australian drinks market to turn landfill ‘wonki’-like fruits into tasty drinks.

The product has 5% alcohol, changes flavor with the seasons (depending on which fruit and vegetables are available at that time) and has a fully recyclable packaging, which also meets circularity.

The drink is also a low-sugar alternative to traditional alcoholic drinks and allows consumers to support Australian farmers.

The team’s goal is to reach a target revenue of $30,000 by Friday, April 14. Details are here.