The following post is another example of the creative energy and entrepreneurial spirit that abounds in the CWE:
Synek, which has garnered notice from Time Magazine, Fast Company, ABC News, and local news sources such as the Business Journal and STL Today, is a countertop beer dispenser (see photo below) that is the brainchild of St. Louisan Steve Young, in green shirt above. Steve, a former stock analyst, was looking for a new opportunity. He was aware of the dramatic growth of craft breweries around the world and learned that lack of innovative packaging was the biggest hurdle to growing their businesses. The brewers complained that growlers, the containers used to transport beer from breweries to the home, didn't keep beer fresh for very long, as once you open the container the beer starts to lose its carbonation.
What Steve Young envisioned was a "Keurig" for beer.
In October, 2013 Steve was awarded a $30,000 St. Louis Startup Challenge grant to build a prototype of the Synek (a made-up name). The finished product, left, a pressurized and self-refrigerated container, only needs to be plugged into a wall outlet. With the use of a simple adapter, beer can be dispensed from your favorite craft brewery into a specially-made bag. The product will last a month in the Synek.
The next challenge was to develop a source of funding for production and distribution of the machine. Here's the video that launched Synek's solution, a Kickstarter Campaign:
Hoping to raise $250,000 in a month's time (June 24 to July 24), Synek became the most successful Kickstarter Campaign in St. Louis history, raising $648,535 with the support of 2,191 backers.
When I visited, shortly after the launch, I could easily have spent the day eavesdropping from the doorway to the makeshift office at TechArtista…the scene was that entertaining. Huddled over their laptops and fueled by cans of Red Bull, there were shout outs when support from as far away as Australia, Sweden and Germany hit the site. And then this: "Wow…hitting China boys!!!"
At the time of the launch the team consisted of Strategic Director CWEnder Mike Werner, second from left, St. Louisan Steven Menius, left, a SLU senior who was a summer intern, and Eric Stoddard, lower right, another SLU senior who will graduate this December instead of May 2015. Eric decided to drop one of two majors and give up Cross Country to work on this project. He has landed a full time job with Synek as Director of Community Engagement.
Mike Werner met Steve Young 1 1/2 years ago at StartLouis (a local meet-up opportunity for start ups and entrepreneurs) and their friendship fermented (sorry!) over coffee and beer (natch!). Eventually Steve, founder of Synek, asked Mike to join his Synek team. Mike is also Director of Business Development for TechArtista, so it was natural that Synek would move into the CWE co-working environment (4818 Washington) to launch the Kickstarter Campaign.
Synek has pre-orders for 2,078 (and growing!) table-top machines at a Kickstarter price of $299 each. There is still time to place your order at the introductory price. For more information visit Synek's website. Delivery is expected in April, 2015.
The press release following the completion of the successful launch states that the Synek team is "proud of tons of relationships they've created with breweries around the world," and encourages everyone to help small business by supporting craft breweries. Synek is positioned to do just that.
P.S. – Southwest Airlines is launching non-stop flights to San Francisco on Tuesday. According to a story by Maria Altman on St. Louis Public Radio (read it here), "The CEOs of 21 St. Louis-based startups will be aboard the inaugural flight…" Altman continues: "The St. Louis Regional Chamber and Washington University bought the airline tickets for the group. The goal is to help St. Louis startups tap into the Bay Area’s booming startup and investment scene."
What about a reverse trip bringing the investment scene back here? We've got it going on right here St. Louis!!!