Goal

To raise capital, provide strategic business development support, and quantify the environmental benefits of Polar Beer Taps’ innovative portable draft system, enabling the company to scale from initial prototypes to full-scale production and secure key partnerships in the beverage service industry.

Challenge

Polar Beer Taps, a pioneering company in portable draft technology for beverage service, had developed a revolutionary system capable of pouring ice-cold drinks from warm kegs. However, with just two prototypes, they needed significant funding and strategic guidance to scale their business. Additionally, Polar Beer Taps wanted to highlight the substantial environmental savings their system offered compared to traditional methods of serving beverages, further strengthening their value proposition to investors and the marketplace.

Solution

1. Investor Deck and Capital Raising Strategy
   ClimateDoor created a detailed investor deck and capital raising strategy to clearly convey the value proposition of Polar Beer Taps, including its environmental impact. The strategy targeted angel investors, institutional funds, and strategic partners aligned with the company’s vision for sustainability and efficiency in the beverage industry.
2. Seed Raise Execution
   ClimateDoor executed the first $1.09M seed raise, securing multiple angel investors and Polar Beer Taps’ first institutional investor, WUTIF Capital. This funding helped transition the company from 2 prototypes to 20 machines in the market, allowing the company to prove its concept in real-world environments.
3. Series A Raise Execution
   ClimateDoor led the successful completion of a $1.6M Series A raise. This raise included a highly strategic investor, providing access to large-scale manufacturing, engineering, sales, and marketing resources. The partnership not only enabled the production of 200 machines but also opened doors for expansion into new product lines, including home and outdoor kitchen units.
4. Quantifying Environmental Impact
   ClimateDoor helped Polar Beer Taps quantify the environmental savings their system offers compared to traditional methods. For every keg poured using their technology, CO2 emissions equivalent to a car driving 5 kilometers are saved by reducing the use of canned beverages and foam waste. This data was instrumental in positioning Polar Beer Taps as a sustainable solution for large-scale beverage service.
5. Non-Dilutive Capital and Debt Facilities
   Beyond equity raises, ClimateDoor secured $150,000 in non-dilutive capital to fund growth initiatives and protect the company’s intellectual property. Additionally, ClimateDoor supported the company in accessing debt facilities to further scale production, positioning Polar Beer Taps to grow to over 2,000 machines within the next 12 months.
6. Board Formation and Organizational Structure
   ClimateDoor also facilitated the formation of Polar Beer Taps’ Board of Directors by bringing in key industry players, including Mark Tadros, CEO of Stardust Solar (another ClimateDoor portfolio company), and Aaron Stuart from WUTIF Capital. ClimateDoor helped design the company’s organizational structure, ensuring the business was built for long-term success.

Execution & Metrics

• Capital Raised:
  • Seed Raise: $1.09M
  • Series A Raise: $1.6M
  • Non-Dilutive Capital: $150,000
• Business Growth:
  • Initial Growth: From 2 prototypes to 20 machines
  • Expansion: Series A funding scales production to 200 machines
  • Future Outlook: Debt facilities in place to grow to over 2,000 machines in the next 12 months
• Environmental Savings:
  • CO2 Savings per Keg: Equivalent to a car driving 5 kilometers
  • Significant reduction in foam waste and canned beverage usage
• Key Strategic Partnerships:
  ClimateDoor’s outreach secured strategic investors who contributed to large-scale manufacturing and product line expansion.

Results

• Significant Capital Raised:
  ClimateDoor’s investor outreach efforts resulted in a total of $2.69M in funding, enabling Polar Beer Taps to rapidly scale its operations and expand its product offerings.
• Rapid Business Growth:
  Polar Beer Taps grew from 2 prototypes to 20 machines, with plans to reach 200 machines in the next 6 months and over 2,000 machines in the next year.
• Non-Dilutive Capital and Debt Facilities:
  In addition to equity funding, ClimateDoor secured $150,000 in non-dilutive capital and debt facilities, allowing the company to accelerate growth without diluting ownership.
• Environmental Impact Quantified:
  By highlighting the CO2 savings and reduction in environmental impact, Polar Beer Taps solidified its position as a sustainable solution in the beverage service market, further appealing to environmentally conscious investors and partners.

Conclusion

ClimateDoor’s strategic approach to investor outreach and business development was pivotal in scaling Polar Beer Taps from a garage-based startup to an industry leader in portable beverage service technology. With a total of $2.69M in funding raised, access to additional debt facilities, and key partnerships established, Polar Beer Taps is well-positioned for continued growth, with plans to scale production to over 2,000 machines in the next year while making a positive environmental impact.