We’ve all been there: You pack your bag, put your laptop, notebook, and wallet inside, and then add a water bottle that sticks out from every corner. Two Australian friends took this problem seriously in 2014. The result is one of the most ingenious product ideas the world of everyday items has seen in a long time.
The idea behind it
Jesse Leeworthy and Jonathan Byrt grew up on the Mornington Peninsula, south of Melbourne. They’ve known each other since elementary school, went to college together, and have both seen the damage plastic waste can cause along coastlines. As adults, they asked themselves a seemingly simple question: Why does a water bottle still look exactly the same as it did thirty years ago?
The answer was: because no one had ever really questioned it. Leeworthy and Byrt did. They thought about what a bottle would have to look like to truly fit into everyday life, to fit into any bag without wasting space, and to be something people would be happy to show off. The solution was surprisingly simple: flat. As flat as a notebook.
Memobottle was founded in 2014. On Kickstarter, its initial funding goal of $15,000 was surpassed in 36 hours. Forty-five days later, over $250,000 had been raised, making it one of the most successful Australian design campaigns of its time. Today, the brand is available in over 100 countries and works with more than 2,000 retailers.
The paper format principle
What sets Memobottle apart from other water bottles isn’t just its appearance, but the logic behind it. The bottles are modeled after paper sizes: A5, A6, A7. This isn’t a marketing gimmick, but genuine design thinking. You take something everyone is familiar with and apply it to a completely different object.
The result: a bottle that behaves just like a book in a rucksack, handbag or briefcase. It occupies a clearly defined space, lies flat, does not wobble and does not displace anything. Anyone who has ever transported a round liter bottle in a laptop bag knows what we are talking about.
The models at a glance
The product line includes four core models, depending on your needs and the size of your bag:
- A5 Memobottle: 750 ml, the most popular size. Fits next to a 15-inch laptop.
- A6 Memobottle: 450 ml, ideal for a handbag or a smaller backpack.
- A7 Memobottle: 270 ml, the smallest size, fits in many jacket pockets.
- Slim Memobottle: slim, lightweight, with glass-like transparency for everyday use.
All plastic versions are made of Tritan, which is BPA- and BPS-free, and suitable for both hot and cold beverages. For those who prefer metal: The A5 model is also available in stainless steel (food-grade 304), powder-coated in matte black and matte white, scratch-resistant, and leak-proof. None of the models are suitable for carbonated beverages.
Memobottle A5
Die Memobottle A5 passt dank ihrer flachen, an ein A5-Format angelehnten Form in jede Tasche. Minimalistische Optik, robuste Qualität, und…
Memobottle Slim
Die Memobottle Slim ist einzigartig schlank und passt überall hin. Mit elegantem Design und 450 ml Fassungsvermögen ist sie die…
Memobottle A6 Edelstahl
Die Memobottle A6 Edelstahl fasst 500 ml und passt dank ihres flachen, papierformatähnlichen Designs perfekt in jede Tasche. Auslaufsicher, hitze-…
Oscar night and a partnership that really makes a difference
In 2016, the Memobottle was included in the goodie bags at the 88th Academy Awards. Not because of a big PR budget, but because the product had caught people’s attention. Among the nominees at the time was Matt Damon, co-founder of Water.org, an organization that provides people in developing countries with access to clean drinking water.
This encounter led to a partnership: For every Memobottle sold, five months of drinking water are provided to a person in need. By the end of 2024, Memobottle will have provided over 50 million days of clean water and prevented the use of an estimated 200 million single-use plastic bottles.
Memobottle is also a certified B Corporation. This means the company must regularly demonstrate that it actually meets social and environmental standards—not through self-reporting, but through a rigorous external audit. In addition, the brand has won the A’ Design Award in Gold as well as the 2017 Good Design Award.
Why Memobottle at One Horizon
There are many water bottles out there. Most of them look the same and do what they’re supposed to do. Memobottle is different because it has solved a real-life problem while also demonstrating that a simple object can be more than just its function. Form, function, and attitude—all in one product. That’s exactly what we’re looking for at One Horizon.
Frequently asked questions about the Memobottle
Where does Memobottle come from?
Memobottle was founded in 2014 by Jesse Leeworthy and Jonathan Byrt in Melbourne, Australia.
What makes the Memobottle special?
It’s flat and designed to fit standard paper sizes—A5, A6, and A7. This means it fits in any bag alongside a laptop or notebook without taking up too much space or shifting around.
Is the Memobottle BPA-free?
Yes, all plastic models are made of BPA- and BPS-free Tritan.
Can I fill carbonated drinks?
No, the Memobottle is not suitable for carbonated drinks.
What are the benefits of buying a Memobottle for others?
For every bottle sold, Memobottle finances five months of clean drinking water for a person in need via Water.org.
Is there a Memobottle made of stainless steel?
Yes. In addition to the A5 model, the A6 and the Slim are also available in stainless steel, with a powder-coated finish in matte black and matte white.
Is Memobottle available in Switzerland?
Yes, Memobottle is available for direct delivery in Switzerland via one-horizon.ch, with no customs fees.
