NIU EIGERlab’s Center for Product Development’s Client Launches Third Product

NIU EIGERlab’s Center for Product Development’s Client Launches Third Product

News Conference to Showcase Serial Inventor’s Newest Invention

Rockford, Ill. — NIU EIGERlab is proud to announce that serial inventor, Santosh Arcot, has launched his third in a series of products with the assistance of the Center for Product Development (C4PD). Arcot’s HopperStandTM is the Swiss-army knife of utility tables. HopperStand is universal and boasts an added feature—a universal bag holder. Santosh shared the features today during the news conference held at NIU EIGERlab’s Center for Product Development which included demonstrations of its many uses and to learn what drives the serial entrepreneur.

HopperStand’s versatility has been proven in a variety of applications and settings including camping, fishing, hunting, working around the house or other fun outdoor activities such as picnics, tailgating, trips to the beach and backyard parties. Its features include being compact (folds flat for storage and transport), adaptable (can adjust for use with multiple types of bags and variable heights) durable (portable tool bench), utilitarian (holds either a plastic bag with detachable clips or a paper sack), stable (detachable spikes), washable, foldable and lightweight–weighs only 4.5 pounds.

Arcot, an inventor by nature, is president of HopperTopper, Inc., a company engaged in inventing, developing, manufacturing and launching new and innovative products in the consumer goods space. Previously, he launched the HopperTopper (lawn and leaf bag funnel) in 2014, and the HopperTopper HD in 2015. Made entirely in the USA, the original HopperTopper is made of corrugated paper and is reusable up to 25 uses. HopperTopper HD is made of fluted plastic

(Coroplast) and will last up to three years. “I wanted a frame for holding plastic bags for use with the HopperTopper lawn bag funnel, and that idea rapidly evolved into a universal bag holder for many types and sizes of bags plus the detachable accessories that include a table-top, stakes and bag clips. This is a truly unique product with no equal,” said Santosh.

“Working with inventors is intriguing. Once they have a concept for their product, we assist them with the daunting list of decisions and steps to develop it, including establishing rapports with reliable engineers and manufacturers that produce the product. In addition, we also assist the entrepreneur with avenues to sell their product. It’s typically a longer process than most people realize, but we are here to assist with every step of the development stage,” said Mike Cobert, Director for the Center for Product Development.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to compete in events such as the FastPitch Competition offered by NIU EIGERlab. Every opportunity to introduce our product to a new person could potentially result in meeting a strategic partner, investor, or mentor. I look forward to competing in this year’s event and meeting my fellow challengers,” shared Santosh.

Interested in purchasing any of the aforementioned products? The HopperStand is now carried through campingworld.com, homedepot.com, bedbathandbeyond.com, walmart.com, and amazon.com. The HopperTopper HD Plastic Lawn and Leaf Bag Funnel can be purchased through amazon.com, homedepot.com, houzz.com, and walmart.com. Lastly, the HopperTopper Corrugated Lawn and Leaf Bag Funnel are carried in Walmart stores in the U.S.A. and Loblaw’s in Canada.

Click here to download the complete news release.