One Horizon We’ve all been there: you pack your bag, put your laptop, notebook and wallet in it – and then there’s a water bottle sticking out of every corner. Two Australian friends took this problem seriously in 2014. The result is one of the most well thought-out product ideas that the world of everyday objects has produced in a long time.
The idea behind it
Jesse Leeworthy and Jonathan Byrt grew up on the Mornington Peninsula south of Melbourne. They have known each other since elementary school, studied together – and both saw what plastic waste can do to coastlines. As adults, they asked themselves a simple question: why does a drinking bottle still look exactly the same as it did thirty years ago?
The answer was: because no one had questioned them fundamentally. Leeworthy and Byrt did. They thought about what a bottle would have to look like that would really integrate into everyday life – that would fit in every pocket without wasting space and that people would be happy to show off. The solution was amazingly simple: flat. As flat as a notebook.
Memobottle was founded in 2014. On Kickstarter, the first funding target of 15,000 dollars was exceeded in 36 hours. 45 days later, over 250,000 dollars had been raised – one of the most successful Australian design campaigns of its time. Today, the brand is represented in over 100 countries and works with more than 2,000 retailers.
The paper format principle
What sets Memobottle apart from other drinking bottles is not just the look, but the logic behind it. The bottles are based on paper formats: A5, A6, A7. This is not a marketing gimmick, but genuine design thinking – taking something that everyone knows and applying 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 range comprises four core models – depending on requirements and bag size:
- A5 Memobottle – 750 ml, the most popular size. Fits next to a 15-inch laptop.
- A6 Memobottle – 450 ml, ideal for the handbag or a more compact backpack.
- A7 Memobottle – 270 ml, the smallest version, fits in many jacket pockets.
- Slim Memobottle – slim, light, with glass-like transparency for everyday use.
All plastic versions are made of Tritan – BPA and BPS-free, suitable for both hot and cold drinks. For those who prefer metal: the A5 model is also available in stainless steel (food-grade 304), powder-coated in matt black and matt white, scratch-resistant and leak-proof. None of the versions are suitable for carbonated drinks.
Oscar night and a partnership that really makes a difference
In 2016, the Memobottle ended up in the goodie bags of the 88th Academy Awards. Not because of a large PR budget, but because the product had attracted attention. Among the nominees at the time: Matt Damon – co-founder of Water.org, an organization that provides people in developing countries with access to clean drinking water.
This encounter resulted in a partnership: for every Memobottle sold, five months of drinking water supply are financed for a person in need. By the end of 2024, Memobottle will have provided over 50 million days of clean water – and prevented an estimated 200 million single-use plastic bottles.
Memobottle is also a certified B Corporation. This means that the company must regularly prove that it actually meets social and ecological standards – not a self-declaration, but an external, extensive audit. The brand has also won the A’ Design Award in Gold and the Good Design Award 2017.
Why Memobottle at One Horizon
There are many drinking bottles. Most of them look the same and do what they are supposed to do. Memobottle is different because it has solved a real everyday problem – and at the same time shows that a simple object can be more than its function. Form, function and attitude in one product. This is exactly what we are 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 is flat and based on paper formats – A5, A6, A7. This means it fits in any bag next to a laptop or notebook without wasting space or wobbling.
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, the A5 model is available in stainless steel in matt black and matt white.
Is Memobottle available in Switzerland?
Yes, Memobottle can be delivered directly in Switzerland via one-horizon.ch – without customs costs.