A trip to Japan turned into a brand.
We are Marc and Tim — two founders who want to make hot summers in Europe more pleasant. We didn't invent ChillNeck, but rethought it for Europe: after a chance discovery in Japan, many summers in Valencia, and a long search for the right manufacturer.
Suddenly they were everywhere.
About two years ago, Marc was traveling through Japan and suddenly saw them everywhere: small, stylish rings around the neck. On the train, strolling through Tokyo, shopping in Osaka, sightseeing in Kyoto. Eventually, he even discovered them in a refrigerated supermarket shelf and tried one. The thought never left him: why does almost nobody in Europe know about this?
- Rings on the train, in cafés, on the street
- In the supermarket from the refrigerated section
- Gentle freshness on the neck, instantly noticeable
- In Europe: hardly known
Summers that get really hot.
Marc has been living in Valencia for years. Spanish summers can be extreme – and the usual solutions are all compromises: Fans mainly move warm air. Handheld fans constantly need to be held. Battery-powered neck fans are large, heavy, loud, and their battery is usually dead when you need them. The ring from Japan, however, was stylish, light, quiet – and simply pleasant for everyday use.
- Fan: mainly moves warm air
- Handheld fan: always a handful
- Battery neck fan: heavy, loud, often dead
- ChillNeck: light, quiet, simply there
Around 50 models. Many disappointments.
Back in Europe, Tim and Marc took the idea back to the office. They ordered, tested, and compared – across manufacturers, price ranges, and materials. The uncomfortable truth: many rings were poorly made, too cold on the neck, uncomfortable, or broke after just a few charges. After a long search, they finally found a manufacturer that delivered exactly the quality they had envisioned: comfortable, safe, EU-compliant, and suitable for everyday use.
- Around 50 models tested
- Poor workmanship sorted out
- Focus: pleasant instead of ice cold
- CE / RoHS — safe to wear
A true passion project. A real brand.
ChillNeck is a real passion project for both of us – we always wanted to build our own physical product. Not just any product, but one we would use ourselves every summer. What started as a chance discovery in Japan has now become a proper brand, made for European summers. We are incredibly excited to launch ChillNeck this summer – and are grateful to everyone who accompanies us on this journey.
- Three sizes, two colors
- Made for European summers
- Ready to use summer after summer
- From Mainz & Valencia, with love
How ChillNeck came to be
The Discovery
Marc is traveling through Japan and sees people everywhere with small neck rings. He tries one on and thinks: why does nobody in Europe know about these?
The Search
Tim and Marc test around 50 models, compare manufacturers, and discard anything that is uncomfortable or poorly made. In the end: a partner that fits.
The Start
ChillNeck launches in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Spain. Three sizes, two colors, one mission: to make hot days more comfortable.