November 19, 2008
The artwork “Emerging Light” hangs in the LCC Technology and Learning Center | Dave Trumpie
Innovation & Job News

Mid-Michigan Artist Turns $40,000 Coffee Convenience Into Business Venture

Capital Gains, 3/26/2008

After years of trying to figure out how to carry her coffee, bags, notepads and jackets with only two hands, Lansing artist, Barbara Hranilovich, developed the CADDi, a soft, vinyl hanging beverage sleeve that allows carriers to use one finger rather than a whole hand to carry their coffee.

“It just gives you one more hand,” Hranilovich says. “You can get into your car and still open your car door because your hand is still free for your keys.”

Hranilovich has worked on her design for several years and spent $40,000 on product development, but she finally has a patent pending and is ready to start selling the CADDi in large quantities.

The CADDi is reusable and can accommodate virtually any beverage, including coffee and beer.

“It’s a service, it’s a convenience,” Hranilovich says.“It’s not so much a java jacket, but it makes your life simpler, and to me that’s what makes it worthwhile.”

Source: Barb Hranilovich, CADDi

Ivy Hughes, development news editor, can be reached here

Photo courtesy of CADDi