A Cease & Desist Can’t Keep a Good Dreamer Down – Trinken Lids
Nobody likes to take a craft beer road soda with them more than The Full Pint. But when we take one of our favorite malt beverages with us in the Uber or concert, we usually dump it in a soda cup with a straw. That’s never ideal and borderline blasphemous. When our pal Jerry reached out to us with his tale of an awesome idea (a stealth beer can koozie) that was almost crushed into oblivion, we wanted to check out how he got this project out of the ditch, and improved. Watch this fun video, and if you like this idea as much as we do, please consider contributing to this brilliant idea.
When Jerry McArthur launched LoLo Lids, the ultimate stealth koozie, last year on Kickstarter he could not have expected the level of success it reached during his first 30-day crowdfunding campaign. The snap-on lid, think Starbucks looking coffee cup lid, raised over $50K, exceeding the original goal of $20K by 225%. Hype from notable influencers Thrillist, The Chive, Gizmodo and several others helped LoLo Lids become an internet sensation. Even after the original Kickstarter campaign the LoLo Lid has gone on to sell another 25,000 units via the newly formed company website.
Yet, the same hype and PR that elevated the company from idea to reality also provided all the nails for the company’s first coffin. What was meant to be a hilarious parody on the iconic design of the Solo coffee lid, ended with a cease and desist letter, and destruction of current molds and inventory.
This “speed bump” may have crushed the majority of entrepreneurial spirits but this closed window only opened a new door. The LoLo Lids team is back, now operating as Trinken, German for Drinking, with a version 2.0 design that keeps the fun spirit of the product in tact and introduces design solutions that improve on the functionality of the original lid. Trinken launched their second Kickstarter campaign on November 16th in conjunction with the airing of the Dragon’s Den, Canada’s Shark Tank, episode where they got to showcase their new ideas in front of an audience of millions.
A big improvement to the design is now the entire middle is recessed making it even easier to coyly enjoy your favorite canned beer. The Trinken Lid snaps on the top of any can and suspends it in the cup using patent pending technology. This forms an air barrier similar to what you’d find in a thermos and provides an insulating factor greater than a foam koozie, and the stealth of looking like a coffee lid. Trinken Lids fits on just about any large coffee cup.
One of the great benefits of crowdfunding is crowd feedback. Jerry and team listened and for the new upcoming Kickstarter campaign they designed a much requested collapsible cup along with the lid so you’ll never be stuck without a cup again. The bottom of the cup can also be frozen to cool drinks on the go.
Trinken’s Kickstarter also features several new innovations including a 6-pack ice mold and an awesome keychain that open beers and acts as a phone stand.
