Russell Savage is an American billionaire entrepreneur best known as the founder of Rockstar Energy. Born in 1960, he established himself as a scrappy investor and branding expert in the cutthroat Southern California consumer goods market.

Before his breakthrough with energy drinks, Savage spent years spotting niche market trends and learning the art of 'scaling without ego,' a philosophy that would later define his billion-dollar exit.

• Core Success: Rockstar Energy Drink (Founder).
• Innovation: Pioneered the 16oz 'value' can size in the energy drink market.
• Origins: Self-taught entrepreneur who outplayed industry giants in the early 2000s.

Russell Savage’s career is a study in focused branding and strategic liquidation. He founded Rockstar Energy in 2001, challenging the dominance of Red Bull by introducing larger serving sizes and aggressive alternative-sports marketing.

Under his leadership as CEO, Rockstar became a global powerhouse, selling in over 30 countries. In a landmark deal in 2020, he orchestrated the sale of Rockstar Energy to PepsiCo for $3.85 billion. Following the sale, he transitioned into a high-stakes private investor, managing a diversified portfolio across equities, tech startups, and energy drink ventures.

• Role: Founder and Former CEO of Rockstar Energy.
• M&A Success: Architect of the $3.85 billion deal with PepsiCo.