February 2016

Joshua Springer (president, GrinOn Industries, Indianapolis) had a eureka moment at his father’s birthday party when he imagined a beer container that would fill from the bottom.  Four days later he had a prototype.  Eight years and two U.S. patents later (US8763655, US8777182), the worldwide market for his invention provides an estimated annual revenue of $10-20 million.

Televised interviews with CNN and Inside Indiana Business have showcased Mr. Springer’s pioneering and “paper clip simple” beer dispensing system.  In its most prevalent mode, a nozzle pushes up a detachable magnet from the bottom of a plastic cup, fills the cup with beer, and retracts as the magnet seals the bottom of the cup.  This highly efficient automated system wastes no beer (in contrast to most dispensing methods that waste 30%) and dispenses beer 300 times faster than is typical with traditional methods.  Because of his invention, the number of people in line for beer at an athletic event depends only on how fast the seller can ring up sales.  Happy vendors with happy customers.  Everyone grins.

Mr. Springer found that having to start on a shoestring budget was an advantage.  A lack of money forced him to think hard and to keep his invention simple.  The result is a reliable, efficient, low maintenance product.

For Mr. Springer, the best part of success is the journey that made him who he is today.  One lesson he learned is that starting a business is a rollercoaster and that open communication with one’s spouse during the ups and downs is important.  He looks forward to continuing his journey and to an ever brighter future.

Thank you for sharing your interesting journey with us, Mr. Springer!