Local inventors generate millions with innovations

Two inventors are bringing in the big bucks with creative innovations of traditional products.

INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) — Two inventors are bringing in the big bucks with creative innovations of traditional products.

Josh Springer is the CEO of GrinOn Industries, which makes the Bottoms Up beer dispenser.

The special dispenser fills glasses with beer from the bottom to the top. The dispenser pairs with a specially designed cup that fits on a nozzle to fill it from bottom to top, eliminating the foamy head that slows traditional tap pours. It also saves a bunch of wasted beer.

A magnetic disc at the bottom of the cup seals the hole surround by a metal ring at the bottom of the cup.

The idea stemmed from an challenge from Springer's dad in 2008. A beer glass being filled from bottom to top would be cool, but "If it could be done, somebody would have already done it," his dad said.

Four days later, Springer had made his first prototype. He tried it out at a local beer festival, and it was a huge success. Springer never went back to work, and GrinOn Industries came to life in 2011. He relocated from Washington to Indianapolis, allowing him to be closer to suppliers and more centrally located.

Since Bankers Life Fieldhouse invested in the Bottoms Up system, its beer sales have increased by 30 percent.

The dispensers are currently in 49 states (Rhode Island hasn't caught on yet) and 37 countries. Find one near you here.

Matt Foley is the president of Scooch LLC, the producer of a simple smartphone accessory that is sweeping the globe.

Scooch makes the Wingman 5-in-1 smartphone case and the Wingmount dashboard mounting device.

The cases feature stands and hooks on the back that make for easy multi-functionality. The hooks allow users to mount, protect, stand, grip and support your smartphone with ease.

If you don't have an iPhone or Samsung phone, Scooch also makes the Wingback, a design that attaches to nearly every phone or phone case.

The Wingmount contains a universal magnetic connection that secures every phone to a car's dashboard for hands-free driving.

Foley says the company made $250,000 in its first year in 2015. In 2016, that number increased substantially to $3.5 million.

The company is looking to carry its products in 15,000 stores this year.

This fall, Scooch will debut a new design of a wallet smartphone case that doesn't look like a wallet and includes wireless charging capabilities.