We’re thrilled to announce that UCL School of Management alumnae and twin sisters Joyce and Raissa de Haas have recently received the King’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade in recognition of their startup, Double Dutch Drinks! Held annually, the King’s Awards recognise outstanding achievement by UK businesses and are the most prestigious award that can be granted to businesses in this country.

While studying MSc Entrepreneurship at UCL School of Management in 2014, the sisters founded Double Dutch Drinks and their vision was clear: disrupt the market and redefine people’s expectations of mixers. Since their launch, the businesses has gone on to take the industry by storm, and the company have even seen a 10% investment from drinks giant Heineken.

In order to qualify for the International Trade award, businesses were required to meet a strict criteria, including the achievement of £100,000 in overseas sales in their first year of operation and an ability to demonstrate year on year growth. Since their launch, Double Dutch Drinks now sell their mixers and tonics in 24+ countries.

To celebrate their win, the duo were recently invited to 10 Downing Street to celebrate Food and Farming in the UK, part of the Farm to Fork Summit 2024, where they were joined by a number of leaders in the agricultural industry.

Find out more about Joyce and Raissa de Haas’s entrepreneurial journey so far