With the launch of a new web-based platform, Charlotte software startup Ekos is doing more to positively impact its brewery customers.
Founded in 2014, Ekos provides business management software to breweries, wineries, cideries and other independent makers. The startup says it has customers in 40 countries. It helps them manage things like inventory, production, sales and accounting.
Christine Kyriazi, vice president of marketing, said the concept for the platform, called Craftlab, began to take shape last spring, after customers began reaching out for advice and guidance in navigating business during the pandemic.
"They were looking to each other, and to us, about best practices and navigating the waters," she said. "Our customers really wanted a space where they could find that support and exchange those ideas."
Kyriazi said Craftlab is a free platform linked from the Ekos website, but it is considered separate from Ekos' software offerings. On the site, users will find content separated by industry type as well as areas of expertise.
"The vision is to bring in peer experts from the industry and our technology partners so we can establish a community that will help our customers grow their businesses," she said. "We don't know everything, so we're bringing in as many experts as possible."
Kyriazi said Ekos represents about 1,500 beer and cider brewers, as well as seltzer and wine makers across the United States. She said 50% of North Carolina breweries — including Charlotte staples like NoDa Brewing Co., Wooden Robot Brewery, Lenny Boy Brewing Co., Triple C Brewing Co., Red Clay Ciderworks and Catawba Brewing Co. — are Ekos customers.
Ekos Chief Executive Josh McKinney said in a statement that the startup's goal is to help these independent beverage businesses grow and succeed, something that can be accomplished with the help of Craftlab.
"While Ekos is a trusted resource that makes many parts of making beer, cider and wine easier, we know there is so much more to success beyond what our software provides," he said. "With our years of industry experience plus the knowledge of our partners, we created Craftlab to give business owners who care about their craft the industry-specific advice and best practices they need to grow."
