The Coolest Cooler, a “portable party disguised as a cooler”, was created by Ryan Grepper, a Portland Oregon native. With over 28,000 pledgers, the Coolest has raised over $5.4 million in crowdfunding, 90% more than their $50,000 goal. The Coolest Cooler is available for $185 and will be delivered as early as February 2015 to backers who have funded at least $165. 

Today, the Coolest is the fifth highest grossing Kickstarter project, falling slightly behind the Pebble smart watch that has raised $10.26 million and Veronica Mars movie that has raised $5.7 million. With 44 days of campaigning to go, the Coolest Cooler is headed to far exceed Pebble’s record.

DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS:

The 60 quart cooler is more than just an ordinary cooler. It offers many unique features including wireless waterproof speakers, a waterproof USB charger, a built-in bottle opener, an LED lid light that makes it easy to find objects in the dark, storage for a half dozen reusable plastic plates and a rust-proof ceramic knife that double as a cutting board, beach tires that make mobility much easier and gear tie-downs that make stacking objects on top of the cooler much easier and more secure.

Coolest Cooler built-in blender

A 18 volt blender provides enough power to make more than 6 gallons of ice blended drinks on a single charge. In addition, the Coolest Cooler has a split lid design that allows easy access to ice for the blender or your favorite drinks without letting in too much warm air. In addition, the design allows you to separate ice or frozen objects from other objects and avoid getting your food wet while still keeping them cool. 

Coolest Cooler split lid

SECOND TIME AROUND:

A successful Kickstarter campaign was not always the case for the founder of the Coolest Cooler.

This Kickstarter campaign is the second attempt for the Coolest Cooler to raise money. In November 2013, Grepper launched a Kickstarter campaign with the goal of raising $125,000 but fell short, only raising $102,188.

Grepper used the shortcomings to his advantage in many ways. First, Grepper notified his previous backers about his second round of crowdfunding and therefore already had a head start in funding.

Second, with 20/20 hindsight vision, Grepper was able to analyze exactly what his first design was lacking. “I wasn’t far enough along in design … It was the middle of winter, and most people weren’t thinking about coolers, no matter what features they had.” He continued on his Kickstarter page to say: “Last year I reexamined these well-loved creations and realized just how much room for improvement there was.”

EXTRA GOODIES: 

Supporters who contribute to the campaign can have their names “tattooed” on their coolest for an additional $5, receive a reusable party cup and blended drink guide for $25, or a “Keep Calm and Blend On” t-shirt for an additional $55. Or, for $225, supporters can receive the Coolest Cooler and all the mentioned goodies. 

The highest bidding supporters will also be able to interact with Grepper through Skype and discuss project ideas. 

Topics: Kickstarter, Small Business, Startups