San Francisco-based spirits and technology startup Endless West announced Tuesday that it raised $21 million in Series B funding.
Endless West creates molecular spirits. That is, alcoholic beverages sourced from corresponding molecules in the natural world. The process eliminates the need for barreling or aging, which can sometimes place undue strain on the environment.
How is a molecular spirit made? First, Endless West tastes and analyzes a particular beverage to determine its molecular fingerprint. Then, the company finds and gathers corresponding molecules from plants, fruits and yeasts that mirror that of the source beverage. Finally, after a bit more experimentation, the taste profile of the final product is nailed down and ready to be bottled for distribution.
The end result is a more environmentally friendly wine or liquor, one that doesn’t rely on the extraction of natural resources to get to the final product. The company’s whiskey offering, Glyph, requires 94 percent less water and 92 percent less agricultural land compared to traditional whiskey production, according to Endless West.
“We’ve created a brand new category of spirits to directly address and eliminate some of the biggest pain points in the industry,” Alec Lee, co-founder and CEO of Endless West, said in a statement.
Endless West will use the additional funding to accelerate distribution of its products across the U.S. The company currently offers two products in addition to Glyph. Gemello, inspired by Moscato d’Asti wine, and Kazoku, inspired by sake. Endless West also plans to pour more resources into research and development following the latest raise.
The company is currently hiring for several open positions. The molecular spirits company is on the lookout for a lab technician, associate scientist, junior accountant and a production manager to join its team.
Endless West has raised $33.7 million in financing to date, according to the company.
Investors Horizons Ventures, Litani Ventures, North East Family Office and SOSV participated in the round, among others.
