Starbucks acquired the Ethos Water brand in 2005.
Ethos was founded by Peter Thum and Jonathan Greenblatt after Thum became concerned about communities lacking reliable access to clean water. The company launched bottled-water operations in 2003, linking each purchase to funding and awareness for global water projects.
In April 2005, Starbucks acquired substantially all of Ethos Brands’ assets for approximately $8 million. The brand then expanded through Starbucks stores, while keeping its social-mission identity. Ethos bottles promoted clean-water projects, although Ethos remained a for-profit commercial brand rather than a charity.
A common mix-up is confusing Ethos’s 2003 launch with Starbucks’ 2005 acquisition. Starbucks later faced criticism over water sourcing during California’s drought, and production was subsequently moved away from California.