Two local brothers are taking their beverage invention to the Mar. 31, edition of ABC’s Shark Tank. There, they’ll pitch Bleni Blends, a point-of-sale technology system that creates on-the-spot, fruit-based beverages for consumers on the go.

The company has engaged Elysium Marketing Group, Ambler, for brand counsel surrounding Bleni Blends.

More than Just a Vending Machine

The system has been designed to sit aside ordinary vending machines in public places.

But its capabilities go far beyond the clunky drop of a candy bar or soda, in return for payment.

The Bleni Blend kiosk that makes the magic happen is a brightly branded mechanism that produces a tasty, nutritious, fruit smoothie — made from real fruit — in just 60 seconds.

Each unit contains its own blender, which whirls customer-chosen fruit blends (all-natural, plant-based, gluten- and dairy-free) with ice to produce a made-to-order, healthy beverage. Internal technology ensures that the machinery used to craft a Bleni Blend is cleaned and sanitized between uses.

Flavor options are:

• Strawberry banana
• Tropical
• Green power
• Berrylicous
• Coffee bean
• Mocha
• Pink dragon

Early adopters have already agreed to the placement of these kiosks in locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, with more on the way.

The Brothers behind the Idea

Bleni Blend machines were the brainchild of brothers Peter and Stuart Shapiro.

Peter (a Wynnewood resident) and Stuart (also currently living in Wynnewood) started collaborating professionally in real estate.

They entered the automated retail industry in 2016, launching a frozen yogurt vending machine brand whose regional footprint includes such area healthcare facilities as Bryn Mawr Hospital, Lankenau Medical Center, and Paoli Hospital.

The idea to bring a similar approach to the fresh-fruit smoothie industry dawned in 2019.

The Market

The founders are widening the net of likely sites for Bleni Blends technology well beyond hospitals. They believe it is ideal for:

• Airports
• Stadiums
• Museums, Aquariums
• Universities/colleges, gyms
• Leisure centers

In a current marketplace in which sustainability is a priority, the Shapiro brothers will most likely include their brand’s low carbon footprint in pitching to the Shark Tank entrepreneurs. Compared with brick-and-mortar smoothie shops, a Bleni Blend kiosk is significantly more advantageous environmentally.

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A video look at Bleni Blends.