Raisability is a weekly newsletter that spotlights founders currently raising capital through Regulation CF and Regulation A+ on one of the popular equity crowdfunding platforms. Each week, you’ll meet a new founder and get a quick look at their company, their mission, and how their raise is being presented.
This week, we’re taking a look at…
FROM ROCKY IV TO RAISING CAPITAL
DOLPH LUNDGREN’S HARD CUT VODKA STORY
🥃 Meet the Founder & Company
Hard Cut Vodka was founded by Dolph Lundgren, the legendary actor and producer best known for Rocky IV and The Expendables.
Armed with a Master’s in Chemical Engineering, Lundgren has distilled his technical expertise and on-screen toughness into a premium craft vodka — made from Idaho potatoes and Rocky Mountain water.
His co-founder, Emma Krokdal, leads brand strategy and creative direction as the company scales nationally.
NEFL Score™: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
(What is this?)
Hard Cut Vodka is a textbook NEFL play — a bold, culturally charged brand in a highly social category, backed by an unmistakably active founder. Dolph Lundgren isn’t just a face on the label; he’s shaping the brand’s story, market entry, and momentum. This is the kind of product that travels fast: it spreads by being seen, shared, served — and talked about. With founder fingerprints all over it and cultural virality built in, this raise hits both sides of the NEFL equation with force.
The NEFL Score™ is Raisability’s editorial framework for evaluating companies with network effect potential and active founder involvement. It is not a rating of financial performance and should not be construed as investment advice or an endorsement.
💡 HERE’S THE FOUNDER’S STORY & MISSION
After decades in film and global travel, Lundgren noticed most vodkas lacked flavor and edge.
“We wanted to create the perfect liquid for a vodka world gone soft.”
Their mission: bring back boldness, purity, and craftsmanship to the spirits world.
Every bottle embodies what Lundgren calls “strength in smoothness.”
🎯 THIRD PARTY SIGNALS
Featured in Forbes: Potatoes & Action Heroes: Dolph Lundgren Launches Super-Smooth Vodka
Featured in Rolling Stone: Dolph Lundgren Says His New Vodka Brand Will Be ‘Heavyweight Champion’ of the Spirits World
The brand even snagged a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition — a major win for a new entrant.
Together, these disclosures provide external context for how the brand is being presented publicly at this stage of its raise.
ON LINKEDIN….
⚖️ RISKS & CONSIDERATIONS
The spirits market is highly competitive and success depends on distribution and brand awareness.
Even more… Alcohol manufacturing and logistics require compliance with multiple regulations.
As always, readers should review the official campaign materials for complete details.
🧠 WHAT THIS MEANS…
Hard Cut Vodka illustrates how founder background, product craftsmanship, and third-party recognition are being used together to frame the brand within a crowded consumer category. The emphasis on hands-on founder involvement and brand positioning helps orient how the company is presented at this stage of its raise.
⁉️ FOUNDER Q&A
We asked Dolph Lundgren, founder of Hard Cut Vodka, our usual five questions…
Q: In a few sentences, what does your company do — and who is it for?
A: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Vel eveniet quia non dolor tempora sit quidem debitis? At voluptas perspiciatis aut doloribus quasi sed fugit aliquam et sint laboriosam qui error laudantium!
Q: What problem are you solving, and what made it something you wanted to build a company around?
A: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Vel eveniet quia non dolor tempora sit quidem debitis? At voluptas perspiciatis aut doloribus quasi sed fugit aliquam et sint laboriosam qui error laudantium!
Q: Tell us about a turning point: a moment you knew you were onto something.
A: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Vel eveniet quia non dolor tempora sit quidem debitis? At voluptas perspiciatis aut doloribus quasi sed fugit aliquam et sint laboriosam qui error laudantium!
Q: What’s been your proudest moment so far building this company?
A: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Vel eveniet quia non dolor tempora sit quidem debitis? At voluptas perspiciatis aut doloribus quasi sed fugit aliquam et sint laboriosam qui error laudantium!
Q: When you explain what you’re building, what do you hope people feel about your mission?
A: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Vel eveniet quia non dolor tempora sit quidem debitis? At voluptas perspiciatis aut doloribus quasi sed fugit aliquam et sint laboriosam qui error laudantium!
* Responses may have been edited for clarity and compliance.
🧭 PATTERN WATCH
Celebrity-backed raises continue to emphasize operational involvement over name recognition.
