Endless West secures $21m funding boost

Startup Endless West has received US$21 million in funding to increase the distribution and development of its ‘molecular spirits’.

Founded in 2015 by scientists Alec Lee and Mardonn Chua, Endless West studies the molecular composition of spirits during production to uncover the compounds that affect flavour and aroma.

Identified flavour molecules are then extracted from efficient sources in nature, such as plants and fruits, to add bespoke qualities to its bottlings.

The company currently produces Glyph, a spirit inspired by whiskey; Gemello, which has been inspired by the flavours found in Moscato d’Asti wine; and Kazoku, a saké-inspired spirit.

Through its latest round of funding, Endless West hopes to develop its research capabilities and increase the distribution of its spirits across the US.

Lee, co-founder and CEO of Endless West, said: “At 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.

“We protect the natural resources used to make spirits, pronounce those unique flavours that define the spirits’ characteristics and innovate flavour through our technology-driven platform.”

The latest funding round saw the company raise US$21m, bringing its total investment to date up to US$33.7m. Investors in the company include Horizons Ventures, Litani Ventures, North East Family Office and SOSV, among others.

According to Endless West, its production process requires 94% less water and 92% less agricultural land compared to traditional whiskey production.

The process also allows Endless West to create its spirits in urban environments, which it said helps reduce shipping emissions.