Svivlo ready to turn ICAST buzz into global opportunities
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Few companies leave ICAST with as much grassroots energy as Svivlo did this year.
Interest in the Swedish reel maker’s unique anti-backlash technology ‘blew up’ thanks to a combination of viral content, genuine angler reactions and unexpected celebrity endorsements. What happens next? Founder Patrik Zander (above, left) explains the plan to turn powerful testimonies into global sales.
What triggered Svivlo’s explosion on social media during ICAST?
“It was a mix of the right people sharing the right moments,” says Zander. “From young US pro Ethan Greene to MMA fighter-turned-kayak angler Adam ‘The Prototype’ Milstead, we saw a snowball effect. Then a major boost came from BryantheCEO – his post alone reached 1.2 million views. And Kraken, a Costa Rican wholesaler, helped ignite interest across Central and South America.”
It wasn’t just niche tackle insiders getting excited. Even mainstream audiences joined in when American TV personality Steve Harvey got hands-on with a Svivlo reel and was visibly stunned. “We didn’t even realise who he was at first,” laughs Zander. “Keda from our team just handed him a reel. The reaction was gold. He’d just visited Daiwa and whispered to us, ‘Do they know about this?’” Harvey’s TikTok video from that quick session during ICAST On The Water has since racked up more than 1.1 million views, with another 624k on Instagram.
Real-Time Proof at the Casting Pond
Much of the viral content focused on what has become Svivlo’s signature stage: the casting pond. “That’s where the product proves itself,” says Zander of the mechanics that work automatically to stop line from bird-nesting. “We had everyone from five-year-olds to seasoned pros throwing our reels. They all had what we call the ‘Svivlo face’ – that moment of disbelief when they realise it actually works.” Both Draken ONE and Genesis ONE were front and centre – the two flagship baitcasting models that deliver Svivlo’s proprietary backlash-eliminating tech.
From Hype to Orders: A 3,867% Sales Spike
The interest translated quickly into real sales. Svivlo’s low-key webshop exploded even as Zander and his team were holding meetings at the show. “We saw a 3,867% increase in sales compared to the same period last year,” he confirms. “Primarily from the US, but also Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, the Dominican Republic, the UK and more. It shows how far a genuine moment can travel.”
Third-Party Validation: A Top-3 ICAST Innovation
While Svivlo’s technology did not win an official ICAST New Product Showcase award, it did earn one of the show’s highest unofficial accolades – recognition from the Outdoor Radio Network, which named the Draken ONE and Genesis ONE among the top three Most Innovative Products at ICAST 2025. “We are honoured to recognise Svivlo for its leadership in sportfishing innovation,“ said Captain Bob, host of ‘On The Hook with Captain Bob’ on the Outdoor Radio Network.
Changing the narrative – and the industry
For Zander, the success isn’t just viral – it’s philosophical. “Competitors still claim to offer backlash-free reels, but it’s marketing noise,” he says. “As I wrote on LinkedIn: ‘The competition promised magic. We delivered it.’” The problem, he says, is that rival brands promise reels that eliminate backlash then blame the users when the product fails them. Svivlo’s task now, says Zander, is to distance itself from these competitors and present its reels as the real deal. “We know our tech is the biggest thing that has happened in fishing reels since, well… forever. To convert that into sales, we need to change the narrative. It’s not the angler’s fault, it’s the technology that has failed them.” And reflecting on his hands-on approach at ICAST, he says: “Others talk a big game about backlashes but won’t demonstrate it. If their solution works, why not show it?”
Praise from the Industry’s Elite
One source of quiet validation has been the respect shown by major reel brands themselves. Says Zander: “Shimano sent 12 or 13 people to our booth. Two engineers casted our reels and just said: ‘Magic.’ Daiwa staff congratulated us. They even redirected visitors at On The Water to try our gear. That tells you something.”
Building a US Pro Team
The US market is clearly key – and Svivlo is working quickly to align with credible ambassadors. Says Zander: “We’ve made great progress through connections like Steven Paul, the pro-staffer and broadcaster who we met at Angling International Live in Budapest last year. We’re putting together sponsorships now. Plus, we’ve had tons of serious distributor and dealer interest.” After attending three ICAST shows ‘this time it feels more real’ says Zander. “The quality of our meetings was higher. It was overwhelming at times. I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved, more or less against the odds.”
What Comes Next?
With new market visibility, early B2B traction and skyrocketing consumer interest, Svivlo’s next steps will be strategic. “We are in a position where the tech can be mass-produced at a viable cost. It works in any condition and our warranty claims are almost zero,” says Zander. “Now it’s about how fast we want to grow. We’ll raise capital soon to boost sales and marketing. I’m very confident even though the competition will act. Why? Because while others keep giving anglers what they want, we’re delivering what they need.”
