Whirlpool Corporation has finalized the sale of its Vessi® Fermentor to 80West Labs, a company created by Prota Ventures, an operator-investor group based in Chicago, and KZValve, a Nebraska-based firm involved in the original engineering of Vessi.
Home Beer Fermentation System
We explore new product and marketing opportunities to address consumer needs"
Vessi, a home beer fermentation system, was developed by WLabs of Whirlpool Corporation, the company’s rapid innovation branch. “We are excited about the plans 80West Labs has for Vessi,” said Doug Searles, general manager of WLabs. “As Whirlpool Corporation’s innovation incubator, we explore new product and marketing opportunities to address consumer needs. We are proud of the impact Vessi has made in the home brewing community and what we have been able to learn about early adopters.”
Vessi was launched by WLabs of Whirlpool Corporation via IndieGoGo in May 2016, and quickly sold out and met its funding goal with early backers of the product. The appliance – a single tank that is sealed, pressurized, and temperature-controlled – allows home brewers to continue to experiment with flavors and ingredients while bringing more consistency and ease to the fermentation process.
Vessi was born out of Whirlpool Corporation’s internal business concept challenge to employees, called SPARK. With several home brewing enthusiasts at the company, the idea quickly took off and was developed further at WLabs. The project was unique from the outset with Whirlpool Corporation edging into the home brewing culture.
Intuitive And Connected Products
80West Labs is currently collaborating with existing customers, home brewers
With offices in rural Nebraska and downtown Chicago, 80West Labs was named after the interstate that connects KZ Valve and Prota Ventures, bringing together unique perspectives and capabilities with a Midwestern work ethic and passion for technology and craft beer.
80West Labs seeks to advance the craft of brewing by making professional grade, intuitive, and connected products for home brewers. The company is currently collaborating with existing customers, home brewers, and craft brewers to uncover insights and evolve the Vessi product line.
“We have assembled an experienced and passionate team at 80West Labs focused on taking Vessi to the next level,” said Kyle Buzzard of Prota Ventures. “We are excited for the opportunity to continue to evolve Vessi in collaboration with the brewing community, and to create products that make brewing a more fun, accessible, and social experience.”