The KEEGO story begins in the Alps. With an idea.
Or rather: With a problem.
Our founder Lukas Angst, himself a passionate hockey player, asked himself during a hike on the Hochkönig in June 2016:
Why do we drink from bottles in sports that either taste bad or are unsuitable for quick drinking on the move?
Squeezable plastic bottles are practical, but they give off taste and contain problematic substances such as microplastics and plasticizers. Metal bottles are taste-neutral, but heavy and unwieldy.
Do we really have to sacrifice good taste and cleanliness for functionality?
The function was never the problem - but the taste was.
And that's how the idea of KEEGO came about. Lukas quit his job in the same year and embarked on a journey marked by curiosity, tenacity and innovation.
The Search for the Right Technology
Between October and December 2016, the small team spent countless hours at trade shows and in laboratories, examining materials and technologies: from elastic glass to pumping systems, origami structures, hydroforming, and spring steel.
No solution held up. The approaches were too brittle, too heavy, too expensive, or technically unfeasible.
The breakthrough came only in May 2017: It was found at the Montanuniversität Leoben in Austria. Together with a professor, the idea was born to make titanium elastic using layer technology.
A Danish laboratory confirmed in August 2017 that the material could be implemented in the form of a bottle. Now KEEGO took shape - technologically and in terms of design.
Why Titanium?
Titanium proved to be ideal for replacing plastic as a contact material for beverages. KEEGO is lightweight and squeezable like a plastic bottle, but has a pure titanium interior, which protects the water from plastic, bad taste and migrating substances. In addition, titanium is much easier to clean. Thanks to the titanium, the KEEGO is much more durable.
The decision to use this rare and expensive metal also sparked discussions:
Titanium is a trigger word. I was aware that the commitment to using the expensive metal would raise eyebrows for some people.
But there was and is no better alternative. Therefore, the team continuously worked to keep the titanium layer as thin as possible - for maximum performance and lifespan, which results in minimal environmental impact due to its durability and recyclability.
Development hurdles: A rocky road to production
Although Lukas had experience in business development – material and product development were completely new territory. Together with experts, a system of layered materials and prototypes was created over a period of months.
With several challenges:
Production technology: It was difficult to find a manufacturer who would engage in the experiment of a novel titanium bottle. Finally, KEEGO found an owner-managed company with know-how from particle accelerator technology. But even here, the custom-made system was anything but simple. The planned production date in April 2018 was delayed by many months.
Time & Money: Instead of two years as planned, it took almost three years until delivery.
The team size was reduced, new funds were raised imaginatively, and subsidies helped to survive. Lukas describes the phase as “extremely challenging financially”.
Quality: The first bottles produced were not good enough. They broke when they fell to the ground. The material composition was revised, and the production partner was changed. From 2019, the product improved noticeably and visibly.
Crowdfunding & Community: The first proof
In March 2018, KEEGO launched a Kickstarter campaign to show: The world needs a better bottle. The goal was reached on the very first day. In the end, there was 277,573 euros from 3,535 supporters:inside. The market said: YES!
An early bird discount and clever online marketing brought the campaign to the top lists. It all happened very quickly.
With the money, the production could be finalized and the first batch produced. Although shipping and production were delayed, the first KEEGOs went to the crowd in June 2019.
The feedback was overwhelming.
We Keep Going – From Startup to Movement
Between 2019 and 2025, KEEGO has steadily developed – with highs, some setbacks and new innovations:
February 2019: After an intensive search, KEEGO finds a reliable production partner in Switzerland. The first prototypes ready for series production are a complete success and give the team new confidence.
March 2019: The official start of production of the world's first squeezable titanium bottle. The adventure becomes real. Despite open questions and stumbling blocks, KEEGO begins to implement the vision in series production.
June 2019: Delivery to the crowdfunding supporters:innen begins. For many, it was a long wait – for the team, a milestone: KEEGO is a reality.
October 2019: The second generation is introduced. Improvements in weight, handling and squeezability – complemented by the new color “Celestial Mint”.
November 2019: KEEGO receives its first design innovation award. The vision of the new, clean sports bottle is now also officially recognized as a design achievement.
January 2020: Another award at ISPO – a knighthood in the sporting goods world. KEEGO establishes itself as a benchmark.
November 2020: The results of the first major community survey are in: enthusiasm, motivation, many ideas. The feedback is incorporated directly into product development.
February 2021: New production line despite COVID-19. KEEGO launches optimized colors, improved durability and more stable materials. Proof of resilience.
June–July 2021: KEEGO becomes part of global events: Red Bull Rampage and the Olympics in Tokyo. AthletesInnen worldwide use KEEGO for the first time at the highest level.
September 2021: Eurobike Award: The titanium bottle is recognized as a groundbreaking solution in cycling.
May 2022: Appearance on "Die Höhle der Löwen" (The Lion's Den). Hundreds of thousands of people learn about KEEGO. The team receives a lot of encouragement, new partners, and can significantly expand its reach.
Summer 2022: Cooperation with Fidlock: The TWIST x KEEGO 600 combines two award-winning systems – the flexible titanium bottle and the magnetic bottle holder. The result: rock-solid hold, no more bottle cage needed, no scratching of the bottles, a clean look. The innovation is particularly popular with cyclists and outdoor athletes.
Autumn 2022: The new color “Gravel Green” is launched. In addition, the 500ml version of the KEEGO is released – perfect for children, smaller bicycle frames and quick after-work rides.
February 2023: KEEGO is listed at the legendary Wolfi’s Bike Shop in Dubai – according to the Global Cycling Network, the best bike shop in the world.
April 2023: Austria's largest sporting event – the Vienna City Marathon – relies on KEEGO as its official bottle. The vision becomes reality in its home city.
October 2023: The annual survey shows: KEEGO users:innen use their bottles an average of five times longer than classic plastic bottles. Design, durability and taste are convincing.
January: 2024: Launch of the new color “Iron Berry”. In addition, a cooperation is established with the leading Swiss sports drink manufacturer Sponser, who equips its Olympic athletIcs with KEEGO.
July 2024: KEEGO turns five years old. A big celebration was planned – but instead, the worst-case scenario occurs: A fire destroys large parts of the production facility. Production is halted for six months. Sales collapse for half a year; there are no goods to sell.
But the team remains true to its motto: KEEP GOING!
Our name is composed of these 2 words!
Positive, solution-oriented, focused.
August 2024: Launch of the Support Collection: Organic cotton shirts, socks and KEEGO bottles in a set. All net proceeds go to the reconstruction. The community supports the project and manages to get KEEGO up and running again!
September 2024: KEEGO is included in the MAK – Museum of Applied Arts, Vienna as a trend-setting product for the future, design and sustainability.
End of 2024 / Beginning of 2025: The new production plant is running. Stronger, faster, more efficient. The Midnight Blue Special Edition marks the restart – and shows: We are ready for the future!
Our Vision: The new standard
KEEGO is more than just a bottle. It is a statement:
- For performance without compromise.
- For taste without harmful substances.
- For a sport that demands the best – even when drinking.
"KEEGO was born from the vision of innovatively combining the best functionality of a bottle with the best drinking experience."
The goal is for our technology to become the Gore-Tex of the bottle world – a quality standard that others can adopt. In a few years, we want to see KEEGO even more prominently at the Olympics and World Championships. Partnerships with clubs, new and optimized products, even better recycling processes – all of this is in the works.
And most importantly: Our community is growing. Every day.
People who believe in our idea. Just like us.
WE KEEP GOING!