Cincy Inno: UC Venture Lab-backed startup debuts at CES

In December, Cooler Keg founders Anthony Bernas and Racine Gruberman personally delivered the first 10 Cooler Kegs that were purchased as part of a six-figure Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign.

Now they’re at CES to show their latest product. Cooler Keg partnered with a California robotics company, Ottonomy, to develop Ottobot Brew, an automatic draft beverage robot.

Ottonomy has developed Ottobots, fully autonomous delivery robots used for food and retail delivery.

“It’s cool because (Ottonomy) is a very fast-moving company and really ready to innovate,” Gruberman told Cincy Inno. “And this is almost plug-and-play in a way. We’re not losing sight of where we want to go, this is just another application we could have with a great strategic partner that could allow us to grow.”

The two companies have combined their technologies to create Ottobot Brew, which can dispense a variety of cold drinks, including beer, cocktails and even coffee, suitable for use at stadiums, casinos, hotels and public events.

UC’s Venture Lab provides a launch pad for entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into reality. The lab is located in the 1819 Innovation Hub in the Cincinnati Innovation District, providing a connection point to talent, support and funding.

The UC Venture Lab’s eight-week pre-accelerator program provides tools and expert guidance to help new entrepreneurs determine their business idea’s commercial potential and identify resources and next steps. It’s open to anyone in the Cincinnati community.

See more from Cincy Inno.

Featured image at top: A Cooler Keg sits on a blanket outside. Photos/Cooler Keg