Zip Cup

Company Website

http://www.zipcup.com/

Phase

: Pre-launch Refinement

Company Description

Zip Cup (patent pending) is a brand new product: a collapsing reusable cup.

According to Global Green USA, 58 billion paper cups are used in the US each year: 20 million trees-worth. The polystyrene coating in the cups makes them tough to compost/recycle.

We should carry reusable cups…but existing travel mugs are bulky, heavy, messy and hard to clean.

Zip Cup is better: it extends & safely locks to hold 16 oz of your favorite beverage. When you finish drinking, Zip Cup simply and intuitively collapses to stow in your purse or briefcase.

Hate mess? Zip Cup self-seals when collapsed to contain any remaining liquid. Take Zip Cup apart to fully clean it, or just toss it in your dishwasher.

Zip Cup will be manufactured from recyclable BPA plastic (with a 2G stainless steel edition in the works) and is designed so components disassemble for maximum recyclability at the end of product lifespan.

Zip Cup’s target market is American adults who drink beverages on-the-go.

BUSINESS STRATEGY

Zip Cup is fully designed (patent pending) with working prototypes. Manufacturing preparations, including responsible material selection and lifecycle design considerations, will be funded through a Kickstarter Campaign, launching shortly. Once manufacturing begins, Zip Cup will be sold directly to retailers and coffee shops to leverage the broadest possible distribution channels. Large coffee shops such as Starbucks have set aggressive goals to promote reusable cup use, making Zip Cup an attractive product for them to offer. Target buyers for all major chains have been identified. Zip Cup will also be available for sale online: zipcup.com. Target Market: Sixty-nine percent of American adults drink coffee 5-7 times per week, and 28% of them take their coffee "on-the-go," which amounts to 45 million consumers. ZipCup enthusiasts will include: eco-conscious consumers, moms, students, urban commuters, frequent travelers, outdoor sports enthusiasts and all forms of caffeine addicts.

Team (including key partners)

Karla Zens, Founder: Sustainability and green building expert: biz dev & marketing background. Matt Stewart, Partner: seasoned PR/marketing executive has led strategy for Adobe, REC Solar, Ecotality. Steven Friedman, Mechanical Engineer: consultant to Frog, Lathrop & Fusion design companies.

Discussion

14