Ekos, a Charlotte-based SaaS startup focused on the craft beverage industry, has been acquired by Next Glass, another North Carolina company. The acquisition was announced in a press release, but financial terms were not disclosed.
Founded in 2014, Ekos offers business management software to breweries, distilleries, cideries, and wineries. Its platform is used by more than 1,200 active producers to manage inventory, production, sales, and accounting. The company previously raised an $8 million Series A round in 2019 from Atlanta’s Noro-Moseley Partners and secured a $21 million Series B in 2021.
Following the acquisition, operations for both companies in Charlotte will be consolidated at Next Glass’s local headquarters.
Trace Smith, CEO of Next Glass, stated: “We have long admired Ekos as the market leader in craft beverage supply chain management software. Bringing their leading software, data, and B2B ordering platforms to Next Glass moves us closer to realizing our vision of seamlessly connecting beverage producers, retailers, and consumers globally.”
Next Glass was founded in Charlotte in 2012 and is backed by PSG Equity. Over the years it has expanded its portfolio through several acquisitions including Untappd (a Wilmington-based consumer app for beer enthusiasts), Ollie (brewery management software), Oznr (Atlanta-based), and Hop Culture (Raleigh-based).
In connection with this latest deal, Next Glass announced a two-year price freeze for existing Ekos customers.
Kent Rowe, CEO of Ekos, commented: “Joining forces with Next Glass marks an exciting new chapter for Ekos. Their deep industry expertise and shared commitment to innovation make them the ideal partner to accelerate our mission. We’re proud of what we’ve built and look forward to what we’ll accomplish together.”
