No Gloves Off: How Fraqua® Reinvented Hydration for Boxers
Inspired by his son's needs in the boxing ring, entrepreneur Frank Ripley set out to solve a simple but persistent problem: how to stay hydrated without removing gloves. With Innovate's support and five years of dedication, his invention, Fraqua®, the boxer's water bottle, has become a UK-made product now officially recognised by the World Boxing Council.
The Spark
The idea was born ringside. Frank Ripley watched his son, amateur boxer Frank Jr., struggle to stay hydrated during training without taking off his gloves or relying on a coach. Realising the gap in the market, they combined "Frank Ripley" and "aqua" to create Fraqua®, a solution designed by a boxer, for boxers.
The Journey with Innovate
Turning an idea into a tangible product proved to be a marathon, not a sprint. Frank partnered with Innovate to bring Fraqua to life, using their expert guidance to navigate design challenges. From sketching the initial concept to refining its functionality, Innovate helped shape the product while staying true to Frank and his son's vision.
"Innovate was great, guiding us through the design process and always listening to what we wanted our product to end up like," Frank shared. "Even at times when I thought it was a bit crazy, they kept us going."
In parallel, Frank secured UK-based manufacturing, a strategic choice to maintain quality and oversee production first-hand. Though attempts were made to manufacture overseas, the results didn’t meet their high standards. "We want our product to be the Rolls Royce of water bottles for boxers," Frank said, and British manufacturing helped uphold that vision.
The Big Win
After years of development and refinement, Fraqua achieved a major milestone: an official collaboration with the World Boxing Council (WBC). The endorsement affirmed both the product's functionality and its standing in the boxing community. "For the WBC to believe in our product as much as we do speaks volumes," Frank said.
What’s Next?
Looking ahead, the Fraqua team plans to expand into hydration solutions for other "big gloved" sports like kickboxing and Muay Thai. With sights set on growing a strong brand in the athletic hydration market, Frank is as committed as ever.
"If you believe in your product, go for it and make it work!"
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