Like it or not, funny or not, there was certainly not a passer-by who did not at least turn up for this idea. So instead of running up the hill, they opened and closed the tap, changed bottles and hydrated their teammates, and in the end won first place in the creativity category. If that's enough to spark interest, thought Gregor Strniša, could something more concrete be made of it?

The original question raised many new questions, but one was crucial. How to make a device that dispenses a spritzer, is attractive and easy to use? 

So in 2017, with the help of friends, the first prototype with adjustable liquid ratio and electronic dosing was created. A basic prototype that worked. Testing - successful. People delighted.

Gregor's studies took him to Vienna, he continued his work in England and then gained professional experience in Munich, Berlin and Spain. After three years, he returned to Slovenia. 

Feelings? "I'm glad to be back!" But they say there are more opportunities abroad. "It is not reasonable to say that they do not exist in Slovenia. You have as many as you create." He also sees the benefits of a home environment: 'You know people at home. It's easy to access anyone through them. A million new connections and links open up at once that can help you. Imagine being somewhere in the middle of Berlin - where will you go, who will you contact? You're on your own there, but not at home."

At home, his friends did not give him peace. At every party, the same question came up again and again: 'Gregor, when are you going to make that spritzer?'
Gregor, experienced in product development and testing, pulled out the first prototype and improved it - making it more beautiful, more functional, adapted for industrialisation ...

But he was still reticent about the product, convinced that it would only be a product that would satisfy his own desire to create while entertaining his friends in his inner circle.

Then, more as a joke than for real, he posted a video on his fledgling Instagram profile, which was shot and edited in a few minutes by a friend with her phone, while they were spontaneously trying out his Mixy- Spricaparat. 

The first few days saw a lot of views, but not exactly headline-grabbing. But during the holidays, suddenly - boom. If the volume of messages and views had caused sparks, the phone would have burnt out. Almost half a million video views, and people texting, commenting, asking for orders... Crazy! That was the turning point to decide: "This is it. I'm going all in."

Why did he go on his own, despite having a great job and working with a nice team? "Apart from the dynamic work in a big corporation and devoting time to my family, I found it hard to find time to develop my own ideas. There were plenty of ideas, but always not enough time."

He has really been active on the product - case and circuit finishing, 3D drawings, industrialisation, website, pre-orders... In doing so, he benefits from the services of Katapult - machines in the metal, testing, electronic circuits, accounting, mentoring, consultancy, media for promotional activities...

"The Catapult is a one-stop shop. In the process of developing all your ideas, you often reach a point where you run out of the experience and knowledge needed to make a really successful product. But there are many people at Katapult who, with all their experience, can help you find solutions and new ideas. What's important to me is that in the end you're not on your own. With the knowledge and services they have here, you can quickly come up with prototypes and solutions. You can see that the focus is on physical services."

After a viral video and a presentation at a martini event in Maribor, she already has more than 50 paid pre-orders. Where can you see and order the splash car? At: mixy.si

What would Gregor say to those who are considering whether or not to put their idea into a tangible form? "It's always difficult - you never know if an idea is good. If you think it's worthy, give it your time and focus, then test whether people would like it."

Gregor, we would have had a squirt machine, so - let it conquer the world!

P.s.: The Mixy machine is not intended to encourage drunkenness or excessive drinking (soft drinks can also be mixed). We want to create a fun product and encourage socialising around a machine that ensures accurate, fast and flexible dispensing of drinks to suit each individual's preferences.

P.p.s.: "Health Minister warns: excessive drinking is bad for your health!"