Bottomless

Overview

Bottomless is an automatic inventory management system that uses smart scales with Wi-Fi connectivity to track product consumption and trigger reorders at optimal times. The company primarily operates as a sensor-enabled marketplace for repeat purchases, initially focused on fresh coffee delivery. By combining hardware, machine learning, and partnerships with specialty roasters, Bottomless eliminates the need for customers to manually manage their supply of consumable products.

History

Founded in 2018 by Liana Herrera and Michael Mayer, Bottomless was accepted into Y Combinator's Winter 2019 batch. The company initially bootstrapped before raising $1.9 million in funding. The founders identified a core problem with traditional subscriptions: companies lack visibility into customer inventory levels. They launched with a drop-shipping model for fresh coffee, partnering with specialty roasters to ensure product freshness while avoiding inventory management challenges.

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Bottomless initially used 3D-printed exteriors with hand-soldered internals for early devices. Recognizing the inefficiency of hand-soldering, the company outsourced 3D printing to a manufacturing shop in China while maintaining control over other production aspects. This approach allowed the company to scale hardware production without overextending internal resources.

Notable Products

• Bottomless Smart Scale - Rechargeable Wi-Fi connected scale that tracks product weight and automatically triggers reorders, with battery life exceeding one year per charge
• Automatic Coffee Subscription - Subscription service that ships fresh roasted coffee based on actual consumption patterns detected by the smart scale rather than fixed schedules
• Queue Builder - Advanced feature allowing customers to manage and customize their product queue and reorder preferences

Reputation

Bottomless is recognized as an innovative approach to solving the subscription economy's core problem of inventory visibility. The company is noted for its thoughtful hardware development strategy, avoiding the common pitfall of over-investing in perfecting products before market validation. The brand appeals to specialty coffee enthusiasts who value freshness and convenience, though the company remains relatively niche compared to larger subscription services. The sensor-enabled marketplace model has generated interest in the IoT and subscription technology sectors.