Matti Anttila

Next Century Spirits (NCS), headquartered in Zebulon, North Carolina, is a full-service distilled spirits company, building a strategically developed portfolio of owned brands and offering private label solutions, co-packing, and bulk supply. NCS seeks to redefine whats possible in spirits production with its patented Spiranova™ process, which accelerates flavor transformation using natural ingredients. Its portfolio includes Nue Vodka, Blue Chair Bay Rum, Numbskull—a cool mint and chocolate-flavored whiskey, Bear Fight Whiskey, Creek Water American Whiskey, Caddy Clubhouse Cocktails, Calamity Gin, and Henderson Whiskey. NCS-owned brands have earned over 35 gold medals in industry competitions, and the company was named North Carolina Distillery of the Year in 2023 by the New York International Spirits Competition. Dont believe us? Come taste the difference.

Intercoastal Brands is a consumer products company creating dynamic brand propositions for the convenience and grocery channels. Brands include Winner's Circle Automotive, BustaSNACKS! and Craft House Bakery.

Next Century Spirits (NCS), headquartered in Zebulon, North Carolina, is a full-service distilled spirits company, building a strategically developed portfolio of owned brands and offering private label solutions, co-packing, and bulk supply. NCS seeks to redefine whats possible in spirits production with its patented Spiranova™ process, which accelerates flavor transformation using natural ingredients. Its portfolio includes Nue Vodka, Blue Chair Bay Rum, Numbskull—a cool mint and chocolate-flavored whiskey, Bear Fight Whiskey, Creek Water American Whiskey, Caddy Clubhouse Cocktails, Calamity Gin, and Henderson Whiskey. NCS-owned brands have earned over 35 gold medals in industry competitions, and the company was named North Carolina Distillery of the Year in 2023 by the New York International Spirits Competition. Dont believe us? Come taste the difference.

Supernova (1supernova.com) backs top startups with advisory, operational and investment support. Hundreds of exited founders team up to game success by sharing their collective genius, wisdom, resources and networks. We help companies changing the world to achieve their missions, faster.✨

The Zahra Group Where Sovereign Vision Meets Global Enterprise. The Zahra Group operates at the intersection of business, diplomacy, and culture — building trusted bridges between regions, institutions, and industries through long-term partnerships in investment, infrastructure, technology, trade, and economic development. We convene leaders from government, institutional capital, and industry to explore the ideas, partnerships, and initiatives shaping the next generation of global economic connectivity. Our flagship convening, the Zahra Oman–USA Investment Forum, brings together senior decision-makers from both nations to advance long-term partnerships across AI infrastructure, trade and industrial development, and critical minerals. The inaugural Forum will be held in Washington, DC on September 23, 2026.

American Barrel Trust is a specialty asset manager investing in bourbon whiskey barrels. By leveraging long-term aging requirements, constrained supply cycles, and disciplined inventory management, ABT provides investors access to a differentiated real-asset strategy tied to one of America’s most regulated and supply-constrained commodities.

The first series of expert-judged beverage tasting competitions open exclusively to brands produced in the South. The South’s Best Spirits Awards judging in November, 2023.