Snell & Wilmer Represents Next Glass in Acquisition of Ekos

PHOENIX – Snell & Wilmer advised Next Glass, Inc., a leading global provider of software, data, eCommerce, and marketing solutions to the food & beverage industry, in its acquisition of Ekos Software, Inc., a leading business management software platform tailored to the craft beverage industry.

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Next Glass serves both B2B and B2C markets by connecting producers, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers across the beverage alcohol ecosystem.

In a recent press release issued by Next Glass, CEO Trace Smith commented, “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.”

Ekos offers a robust, end-to-end software solution designed to optimize operations for beverage producers. By integrating production workflows, inventory management, and sales processes into a single platform, Ekos enhances operational efficiency, reduces overhead costs, and supports scalable revenue growth. Its comprehensive capabilities position it as a strategic asset for businesses seeking long-term sustainability and expansion in a competitive market.

Next Glass plans to integrate the Ekos platform to help facilitate continued frictionless B2B alcohol ordering between producers and retailers and to streamline the payment experience within a single ERP platform.

Kent Rowe, former CEO of Ekos shared, “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.’’

Snell & Wilmer attorneys Tony Caldwell and Caylye Nordling led the team advising Next Glass throughout the deal, with support from attorney’s Angela S. Kim and Caitlin Pyatt (Corporate and Securities), Bahar A. Schippel (Tax), Greg Gautum (Employee Benefits), Jennifer R. Yee and Craig J. O’Loughlin (Labor and Employment), Brian J. Burke (Commercial Finance), David P. Nigro (Intellectual Property), Lynn A. Vaughn (Real Estate), and paralegals Scott Schann (Intellectual Property) and Sharon Ferraro (Corporate and Securities).

Snell & Wilmer’s corporate and securities attorneys have served as counsel to a substantial number of clients ranging from Fortune 100 companies to smaller emerging businesses. Our attorneys have provided sophisticated legal representation to biotech companies, health care and financial institutions, public utilities, homebuilders, transportation companies, restaurant and hospitality providers, athletic complexes, fitness facilities and many other types of businesses. Snell & Wilmer’s venture capital and private equity practice covers multiple aspects of the transactional arena involving public and private companies, including the structuring and execution of majority buyouts and minority investments, acquisitions (including buy- and sell-side deals, as well as negotiated and auction deals), financing (including 144A transactions and PIPEs), going-private transactions, and spin-off transactions. Our venture capital and private equity attorneys advise both domestic and international funds, including venture capital, private equity, hedge, mezzanine, real estate opportunity, fund-of-funds, exchange, and other private investment funds.