Travis Rosbach

Travis Rosbach founded Hydro Flask and now runs the Tumalo Group, helping inventors bring products to market. Hydro Flask created the double-wall vacuum insulated stainless steel water bottle—an innovation that keeps drinks cold for hours without condensation, conceived in 2007 when Rosbach couldn't find a BPA-free bottle.

Rosbach grew up in Salem, Oregon, and returned to Bend ~2005 to start Bend Fencing, burning out from 14-hour days. He moved to Oahu and co-founded a sign business. In 2007 Rosbach measured bottles, sold his surfboard, and flew to China seeking a factory. After numerous rejections—"nobody does that"—a Hangzhou contact connected him with a small vacuum bottle manufacturer. Rosbach helped modify their equipment and received the first samples.

They sold at local markets with professional displays and a lifetime warranty, gaining early traction through local press and Whole Foods. The 2008 crisis nearly destroyed the business when a defective shipment arrived; a local banker loaned Rosbach $250,000 to recover. By 2011 the company had international distribution, patents, and $12 million in sales. An investor took control that year, prompting Rosbach's exit in 2012. Hydro Flask was acquired in 2016 for over $200 million.

Today Rosbach advises companies on U.S. and China manufacturing through the Tumalo Group and has discussed launching a next-generation water bottle company, applying lessons from his first success.