From Garage Experiments to Colorado Innovation
Evy Lyons and Ariel Paul are the co-founders behind Apex Cool Labs, and their story feels like something that could only happen in Colorado.
Evy, a former tech marketer who planned to move to New York right before the pandemic, ended up driving through Colorado in 2020 and never left. She built her life in Lakewood while continuing her work in marketing. Ariel, originally from New Jersey, moved to Boulder for graduate school in physics and stayed, eventually working at CU Boulder.
Both shared a passion for fitness and performance. After hearing about a Stanford study on palm cooling—a science-backed technique that helps regulate body heat and improve athletic output—they each started experimenting on their own. Evy used a bucket of cold water in her garage gym, while Ariel built a copper-pipe cooling setup in his basement.
They didn’t know each other until Ariel came across a tweet from Evy showing her experiment. They connected, tested his prototype, and saw immediate results. “It was one of those moments where you just know you’re onto something,” Lyons says. That experiment became the start of Apex Cool Labs.
How the Narwhals Work
Their flagship product, the Narwhals, is a portable palm cooling device designed to help athletes, firefighters, and industrial workers perform longer and recover faster. The palms are one of the body’s most effective heat-release zones, and the Narwhals work by cooling them at a “cool not cold” temperature that prevents vasoconstriction while drawing out heat.
Each unit incorporates a heat-transfer system that uses copper heat pipes and a phase-change material to pull heat from the body without requiring electricity or batteries. “I wanted to build something that made this incredibly effective recovery technique possible in a portable, easy-to-use device,” Paul says. “Colorado was the perfect place to do it.”
The Narwhals are part of a growing category of human performance technology focused on thermoregulation—helping the body stay balanced during intense activity. It’s a mix of science and practicality that fits perfectly into Colorado’s athletic and outdoors-driven lifestyle.
Built in Colorado, Used Around the World
What started as a garage experiment became a full-scale Colorado company. Apex Cool Labs partnered with V&S Molding, a local family-owned injection molding business, to manufacture the Narwhals in the Denver area. That local approach helped them grow quickly and stay connected to Colorado’s startup community.
The company also received backing through Colorado’s Advanced Industries tax credit program, which supports businesses working in science and technology. “We always said if we’re going to do this, we’re going to build it here,” Paul says. “The community support for innovation in this state is incredible.”
The Narwhals are now being used by professional hockey teams like the Edmonton Oilers, and other Stanley Cup playoff teams, college basketball programs, firefighters, and industrial safety crews across the country. TIME Magazine also recognized the Narwhals as one of the Best Inventions of 2025.
What’s Next
Apex Cool Labs continues to grow, developing new accessories and cooling solutions for athletes, industrial safety, and tactical environments. The team is exploring portable cooling packs and team travel kits designed for performance on the go.
Through it all, Evy and Ariel are keeping it Colorado—building locally, supporting small manufacturers, and growing a brand that’s rooted in innovation and community. “There’s something special about building here,” Paul says. “The energy, the collaboration, and the passion people have for fitness and science—
it’s unmatched.”
Learn more about Apex Cool Labs at apexcoollabs.com or follow @apexcoollabs on Instagram for updates and new releases.
Watch and Listen
The full episode of the I’m From Denver Podcast with Brandon Lloyd featuring Apex Cool Labs founders Evy Lyons and Ariel Paul is available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and imfromdenver.com.
