In 2014, a party cooler went viral for all the right reasons.
Promising a built-in ice-crushing blender, Bluetooth speaker, USB charger, LED light, and even a bottle opener, the Coolest Cooler sold a dream of summer convenience wrapped in bright orange plastic. The project captivated the public, raising over $13.2 million from more than 62,000 backers. It became Kickstarter’s most-funded campaign at the time.
But just a few years later, that dream collapsed. More than 20,000 backers never received their coolers, and founder Ryan Grepper faced public outrage and legal investigation.
The Rise of a Kickstarter Legend
Ryan Grepper, a Portland-based entrepreneur and former medical salesman, envisioned the Coolest Cooler after modifying his own camping cooler for fun. He launched an earlier version in 2013 that failed to meet its funding goal. The improved 2014 relaunch, supported by polished videos and perfectly timed summer marketing, struck a nerve with consumers.
“We had to rethink the scale of production and that was a big challenge,” Grepper told The Guardian.
“The sheer volume meant that we had to find partners who could help us manufacture the quantity we needed.”
With the funds rolling in and the media hyping the campaign, the Coolest Cooler looked like the future of product innovation.
Delays, Excuses, and Amazon Controversy
Backers were initially told they would receive their coolers by February 2015, but the company missed that target. By July 2015, fewer than 10,000 units had shipped, and updates became inconsistent.
Then came the moment that enraged the community. Coolest Coolers were listed on Amazon for $499, despite the fact that tens of thousands of Kickstarter backers were still waiting for their units.
Grepper tried to explain the decision:
“We didn’t set the pledge levels high enough to cover the final quality of the Coolest Cooler. And of course, we didn’t plan for manufacturing delays and a factory strike.”
He insisted the Amazon sales were needed to raise funds and continue operations. But many supporters saw it as a slap in the face, especially those who had pledged just $185 for the product.
“They sold it to strangers on Amazon while I still had no clue when I’d get mine,” said one frustrated backer on Reddit.
Public Backlash and Financial Collapse
Public Backlash and Financial Collapse
By March 2016, the company was financially depleted. Grepper publicly announced they were broke and in urgent need of a $15 million investment to fulfill remaining orders. At this point, over 20,000 backers were still waiting.
The public turned on the campaign.
“I lost a lot of money by believing in the hype.” – Superscreen Backer
Very disappointed in the process and all the hype…” – Coolest Cooler Backer
Things escalated when the Oregon Department of Justice launched an investigation. In June 2017, a settlement allowed backers who filed complaints to receive their cooler or accept a $20 refund, a token gesture compared to the full cost. Deliveries were promised by October 2017, although many still went unfulfilled.
In December 2019, the company officially shut down. Grepper cited tariffs on Chinese imports as the final blow that made it impossible to continue manufacturing.
“There’s always a risk in creating something new, and some projects won’t end up working out,” Kickstarter commented.
A Legacy of Warnings
The Coolest Cooler became a cautionary symbol for crowdfunding. It showed that even the most popular campaigns could collapse under the weight of poor planning, production challenges, and financial missteps.
It also highlighted one of Kickstarter’s most important disclaimers: creators are not legally required to deliver, and backers carry all the risk.
Today, Ryan Grepper has remained largely out of the public eye. The project’s final update sits frozen on Kickstarter as a reminder of a campaign that promised everything and delivered little.
If you’re thinking of backing the next big invention, just remember this.
Kickstarter is not a store, and even the coolest ideas can fall apart.
FAQ
What was the Coolest Cooler?
The Coolest Cooler was a high-tech outdoor cooler launched on Kickstarter in 2014. It featured a built-in blender, Bluetooth speaker, USB charger, bottle opener, and LED light. It became one of the most funded Kickstarter campaigns ever, raising over $13 million.
Who created the Coolest Cooler?
The product was created by Ryan Grepper, an entrepreneur from Portland, Oregon. He initially failed with a similar product in 2013 but succeeded in 2014 after relaunching with improved features and marketing.
How much money did the campaign raise on Kickstarter?
The campaign raised $13,285,226 from more than 62,000 backers, making it the second-most funded Kickstarter project of all time at that point.
Why did the Coolest Cooler fail?
The failure was due to a mix of underpriced pledges, manufacturing delays, unexpected costs, and tariffs on Chinese imports. Additionally, the company began selling the product on Amazon before fulfilling all Kickstarter orders, which led to public backlash.
Did backers receive their Coolest Coolers?
Some backers did, but over 20,000 backers never received the product they pledged for. Many were left disappointed or angry, and some received only a partial refund of $20 as part of a legal settlement.
Was there legal action taken against the company?
Yes. The Oregon Department of Justice launched an investigation and later reached a settlement in 2017. It offered partial refunds or late deliveries to backers who filed formal complaints.
Is the Coolest Cooler company still in business?
No. The company officially shut down in December 2019, citing increased production costs due to international tariffs and an inability to raise more funding.
What happened to Ryan Grepper after the shutdown?
As of now, Ryan Grepper has remained out of the public spotlight. There are no known follow-up projects or public statements since the company shut down.
