Experienced Lion invested in Aarhus inventor: “He has created a simple but ingenious solution”

“Every time the wind blew, the lid of my trash can opened and my garbage flew into the neighbor’s yard. I picked it up again and again, but the problem persisted. Finally, I thought: There must be a solution,” says Aske Thvilum-Kannegaard.

A year ago, he was working as a physiotherapist. But a daily annoyance made him change direction. Aarhus had new trash cans, but every time the wind blew, the lid was blown open and the trash spread around the neighborhood. Unable to find an existing solution to the problem, he took matters into his own hands and developed his own – EasyClose.

The frustration of everyday life was the start of an entrepreneurial adventure that Aske never imagined. He taught himself how to draw models, 3D printed a prototype and shared his solution on social media where interest exploded. When the orders started pouring in, it became clear that the problem was bigger than he first thought.

“At first I thought it was just me and my neighbors who had the problem. But after the video went viral, the orders poured in – even municipalities contacted me. When a municipality reaches out to test a solution, you know you’re onto something important,” says Aske Thvilum-Kannegaard.

Got investment out of the Lion’s Den

Now he has secured an investment in Løvens Hule from Tahir Siddique, who sees great potential in the product. Several Danish municipalities have bins with lightweight plastic lids that often blow open, and Viborg Municipality’s waste unit, Revas, is already testing the lock as a possible solution.

“Aske has created a simple yet ingenious solution that can make a huge difference for both citizens and municipalities. I look forward to being part of the journey and helping us grow,” says Tahir Siddique.

The road to investment required intensive preparation. Two days before the application deadline, Aske Thvilum-Kannegaard decided to participate in The Lion’s Den. Over the following months, he practiced his pitch up to 20 times a day, refining his presentation and preparing thoroughly. On the day of the shoot, he drove from Aarhus to Copenhagen with a trailer full of trash cans and locks.

The training paid off and he secured the coveted investment. With the financial support, EasyClose can now increase production, meet growing demand and expand its collaboration with municipalities in both Denmark and Sweden.

“This started as a simple idea, but has grown far beyond what I had imagined. Now it’s about ensuring that as many people as possible can benefit from the solution,” says Aske Thvilum-Kannegaard.

Indlægget Experienced Lion invested in Aarhus inventor: “He has created a simple but ingenious solution” blev først udgivet på TechSavvy.