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Distil plc is a London, England-based beverage company that develops, markets, and sells a diverse portfolio of premium spirits brands across international markets. The publicly listed enterprise manages a core product lineup that includes recognizable labels such as Blackwoods Gin, RedLeg Spiced Rum, Blavod Black Vodka, and the TRØVE botanical vodka range. Operating primarily through local distribution partners, the firm supplies its alcoholic beverages to consumers in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and mainland Europe. To support its manufacturing capabilities and physical brand presence, the organization has invested in the Ardgowan site in Scotland to establish a dedicated whisky distillery, a Blackwoods Gin production facility, and an associated visitor center. Currently guided by Executive Chairman Don Goulding, a former managing director at Diageo, the company was formally incorporated as a business entity in 1999.
Distil has raised $13.1M across 5 funding rounds.
Distil has raised $13.1M in total across 5 funding rounds.
Distil.ai is an AI-driven data and analytics platform founded in 2018, headquartered in London, England, that transforms fragmented business data into actionable insights, primarily serving the restaurant industry and other sectors like ecommerce and marketing.[2][3][4] It solves the problem of complex, time-consuming data analysis by automating customer data integration, AI-resolved guest profiles, revenue forecasting, and personalized marketing, enabling businesses to optimize performance without needing data scientists.[3][4] With $1.94M raised across seed rounds (latest in 2023), Distil.ai powers growth for clients like Hawksmoor by unifying data sources, flagging risks, and highlighting revenue opportunities, particularly for restaurant groups aiming to boost bookings and diner loyalty.[2][4]
Distil.ai was founded in 2018 by Gerry McNicol, who recognized the challenges businesses face in extracting value from their data without expensive expertise.[2][3] McNicol's vision stemmed from the need for trustworthy, insightful analytics to measure performance and drive strategy, leading to an AI-led platform that automates data processing at scale.[3] Early traction came from serving diverse sectors, evolving into a specialized restaurant data platform with tools for group-wide forecasting and guest segmentation; by 2023, it analyzed trends like UK Black Friday shopping behaviors for ecommerce clients, underscoring its adaptability.[2][4]
Distil.ai rides the AI data analytics wave in hospitality, where fragmented guest data hinders personalization amid rising competition from delivery apps and online bookings.[4] Timing aligns with post-pandemic recovery, as restaurants leverage data for full capacity amid labor shortages and economic pressures—e.g., its Capacity Analysis tool addresses online reservation blockers directly.[4] Market forces like AI democratization favor it, enabling non-technical teams to compete with tech giants; it influences the ecosystem by setting standards for actionable restaurant intelligence, empowering independents and chains to unlock revenue streams previously gated by data silos.[2][3][4]
Distil.ai is poised to expand its restaurant dominance with upgrades like enhanced diagnostics and broader integrations, potentially entering adjacent sectors like hospitality tech stacks.[4] Trends in predictive AI and real-time personalization will shape it, as diners demand tailored experiences amid economic volatility. Its influence may evolve toward platform leadership, acquiring users via word-of-mouth from innovators like Hawksmoor, solidifying its role in turning data chaos into booked tables and sustained growth—echoing its core promise of clarity today for revenue tomorrow.[3][4]
Distil has raised $13.1M across 5 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $8.0M Series A in September 2025.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2025 | $8M Series A | — | Fireside Ventures, Jungle Ventures | Announced |
| Jun 1, 2024 | $3M Seed | — | Fireside Ventures, Jungle Ventures | Announced |
| Mar 18, 2013 | $200K Venture Round | — | — | Announced |
| Jan 25, 2013 | $1.8M Seed | John Frankel | CIT, Cloud Power, Correlation Ventures, IDEA Fund Partners, William Militello, Techstars | Announced |
| Feb 7, 2012 | $100K Venture Round | Center For Innovative Technology | — | Announced |
Distil has raised $13.1M in total across 5 funding rounds.
Distil's investors include Fireside Ventures, Jungle Ventures, John Frankel, CIT, Cloud Power, Correlation Ventures, IDEA Fund Partners, William Militello, Techstars, Center for Innovative Technology.
