Vitaminwater was created by J. Darius Bikoff in 1996. He invented it in response to the health and fitness trends occurring at the time, especially in New York City. Bikoff founded the company Energy Brands (doing business as Glacéau), which initially launched Smartwater and then Vitaminwater as enhanced water beverages with vitamins and electrolytes. Later, in 2007, The Coca-Cola Company acquired Glacéau, making Vitaminwater a Coca-Cola brand.

Mike Repole is also known as a co-founder of Glacéau, the company behind Vitaminwater.