In 2018, the prototype of the first splash-proof drinking glass was presented at the 2018 edition of Roskilde Festival in front of a crowd of 100 festival-goers. The prototype was the result of a course, where the engineering students from the BSc study programme “Design & Innovation” were tasked with designing a product that would be beneficial to festival attendees with handicaps.
The startup has developed a small lid that is placed inside their drinking glass, thereby ensuring less spillage if the user has issues with uncontrolled shakes due to conditions such as Essential Tremor, Parkinsons, or Cerebral Palsy.
The startup has previously received funding from the BEVICA Foundation through the DTU Skylab-led project “Technology Leaving No One Behind” (in short: TLN1B). The project has developed an open-source playbook that features action cards, pre-planned workshops, and more to teach designers and engineers how to create universally available products.
That playbook has been the cornerstone of the Drinksaver drinking glass, which is useable to both people living with disabilities and in sectors such as the marine world, where motion in tough waters has a high impact on, for instance, hydrating.
“The initial idea back in 2018 was to make a glass that was good at keeping draught beer in the glass, but due to a class during our studies, we were exposed to the principles of Universal Design and the potential of making solutions that aren’t just useable for a selected group of people, but instead embraces everyone, thereby not excluding anyone from using our product,” says Laila Midjord, co-founder of Drinksaver.
Simple solution with a strong impact
In just 6 years, what started as a prototype in a course has become an award-winning startup. An achievement that the Senior Vice President of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Marianne Thellersen, also recognizes with pride:
“I am incredibly proud on their behalf. It is so impressive that they have designed such a useful yet simple design. The Red Dot Design Award is a huge testament to the quality of their solution."
The two founders of Drinksaver, Laila Midjord, and Casper Nørland, are both alumni of the study programme, Design and Innovation. A programme that teaches students how to create new innovative technological solutions with the end-user in mind.
"The two study programmes, Design and Innovation and Process and Innovation, enable us to educate engineers with strong competencies in developing solutions and incorporating simple, effective design," said Marianne Thellersen and continues:
"The programmes have not only shaped many talented graduates who have entered the industry but have also affected the entire university, making it more focused on design and entrepreneurship."
The news about the award has also put smiles on the people of the TLN1B partner, the Bevica Foundation:
"It's amazing recognition that Drinksaver gets with the award and as a foundation, that has been following and supporting the company from the beginning, it is great to see how a product, built on the principles of universal design, can be one of the frontrunners, when design awards like this is being given," says Marianne Kofoed, Director of The Bevica Foundation.
Drinksaver prototypes were refined at DTU Skylab
The startup was, in 2022, an active member of the Incubator at Skylab, where teams receive office space and access to the many prototyping facilities available at the innovation hub of DTU.
It was during this period that the inclusive-oriented startup received the BEVICA Seed Grant, an award that's granted to startups working with accessibility and inclusive design.
The Skylab alumni's accomplishment also enforces a sense of pride from the Director of DTU Skylab, Mikkel Sørensen, who highlighted the convergence of entrepreneurship and design:
“The award is indeed well-deserved. It’s fantastic to see what entrepreneurs from DTU are capable of and equally fantastic to see what’s possible when technology and design join forces and create a very concrete impact on our society.”
Next steps for Drinksaver
Besides going to the annual Red Dot Design Award in Essen on the 24th of June, the startup will spend the near future on getting more investors onboard as well as increasing their focus on people who are affected by uncontrolled shaking, as well as developing new market strategies.
Learn more about Drinksaver here.
