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§ Private Profile · San Francisco, CA, USA
Produces molecular spirits via synthesis and provides B2B production services for the beverage alcohol industry.
Endless West is a San Francisco, California-based beverage technology company that develops molecular spirits by synthesizing flavor and aroma compounds without traditional aging processes. The company produces its own consumer brands, including Glyph whiskey and Gemello wine, utilizing a proprietary production method that requires 94% less water and 92% less land than conventional distilling. Additionally, the firm operates Blank Collective, a business-to-business platform providing product development, scalability, and manufacturing services for other alcohol brands. To support its commercial operations, the enterprise utilizes a 130,000 square-foot production facility located in Detroit, Michigan. Endless West has raised $95 million in total equity funding, which includes a $60 million Series C round backed by investors such as Level One Fund, UBS O’Connor, Horizons Ventures, and Casa Verde. The beverage technology company was founded in 2015 by Alec Lee and Mardonn Chua.
Endless West has raised $96.5M across 5 funding rounds.
Endless West has raised $96.5M in total across 5 funding rounds.
Endless West has raised $96.5M in total across 5 funding rounds.
Endless West's investors include James Stewart, UBS, Illumina Accelerator, Mayfield, SOSV, Founders Fund, Red Swan Ventures, Horizons Ventures, Litani Ventures, North East Family Office, AI Fund, Anorak Ventures.
Endless West has raised $96.5M across 5 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $60.0M Series C in February 2022.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 1, 2022 | $60M Series C | James Stewart, UBS | Illumina Accelerator, Mayfield, SOSV | Announced |
| Apr 1, 2021 | $21M Series B | — | Founders Fund, Illumina Accelerator, Mayfield, RED Swan Ventures, SOSV, Horizons Ventures, Litani Ventures, North East Family Office | Announced |
| Dec 1, 2017 | $10M Series A | — | AI Fund, Anorak Ventures, Ataria Ventures, Fifty Years, Future Shape, Illumina Accelerator, Mayfield, Menlo Ventures, Pioneer Fund, Social Impact Capital, Bradley Horowitz | Announced |
| Aug 1, 2016 | $3M Seed | — | Illumina Accelerator, Mayfield | Announced |
| Jul 14, 2016 | $2.5M Venture Round | — | — | Announced |
Endless West is a beverage technology company founded in 2016 that uses molecular science to create spirits, eliminating traditional aging processes for greater efficiency and sustainability[1][2][3][4]. It produces products like the whiskey-inspired Glyph, crafted note-by-note from pure flavor and aroma molecules sourced efficiently from nature, and offers B2B services including bulk spirits, packaged brands, concentrates, co-packing, and private label development for the beverage alcohol industry[1][2][3][5]. Serving clients seeking scalable, low-impact solutions, the company has raised $85.1M–$95M total funding through a Series C round (latest $60M about three years ago), employs around 49 people, and operates from a 130,000 sq ft facility in Detroit, Michigan, emphasizing 94% less water, 92% less land, and 87% less CO₂ emissions compared to traditional methods[1][2][3][4].
Endless West was founded in 2016 by Alec Lee and Mardonn Chua, who launched the company (formerly Ava Winery) in San Francisco before relocating operations to Detroit[1][2][3]. The idea emerged from applying molecular science to spirits production, starting with Glyph—the first whiskey made without barrel aging, using extracted molecules for flavor[2][3]. Early traction came from sustainability advantages and B2B customization, leading to significant funding, including a $60M round for scaling production up to 20-fold via the Blank Collective platform[1][3].
Endless West rides the synthetic biology wave, redesigning beverage production through engineered biological systems for efficiency in the $1.5T+ global alcohol market[1]. Timing aligns with rising demand for sustainable alternatives amid climate pressures and supply chain strains on traditional spirits (e.g., whiskey aging ties up resources for years)[4]. Market forces like premiumization, B2B innovation needs, and regulatory pushes for lower emissions favor its model, positioning it in expert collections for synthetic biology[1]. It influences the ecosystem by enabling faster brand launches and reducing industry footprints, competing with players like Persedo while expanding U.S./overseas manufacturing[1][3].
Endless West is poised to dominate molecular spirits with its post-$60M scale-up, potentially multiplying output 20-fold and capturing more B2B market share in sustainability-driven beverages[1][3]. Trends like lab-grown foods, premium non-aged spirits, and global decarbonization will propel growth, especially as synthetic bio tech matures. Its influence may evolve from niche innovator to ecosystem enabler, powering brands worldwide while slashing traditional production's environmental toll—reinforcing its mission to blend curiosity, creativity, and bold efficiency in spirits[4][5].