The Restaurant Tech Company Behind Untappd

The Restaurant Tech Company Behind Untappd

From Digital Hospitality by Shawn P. Walchef

May 4, 2026 · 39 min · Episode 633

About this episode

Trace Smith discusses his journey from private equity to leading Next Glass and creating a platform for the beverage alcohol industry.

Trace Smith, CEO of Next Glass, shares how an unexpected leap from private equity into the beverage alcohol industry led to building a platform that connects producers, operators, and consumers at scale.

People in this episode

Host: Shawn P. Walchef

Guest: Trace Smith

Topics covered

  • restaurant technology
  • beverage industry
  • entrepreneurship
  • private equity
  • platform development

Keywords

  • restaurant tech
  • Next Glass
  • Untappd
  • Trace Smith
  • beverage alcohol
  • entrepreneurship
  • private equity

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Next Glass, Untappd

Places: beverage alcohol industry

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