Connecticut Wearable Technology Startup Raises More Than $100k on Kickstarter
Mission to Positively Impact #10millionlives Over the Next 10 Years.
Hartford, CT, August 21, 2015 --(PR.com)-- Wearsafe Labs (www.wearsafe.com), a Connecticut-based technology startup developing advanced wearable personal safety products on a mission to positively impact 10 million lives (#10millionlives) over the next 10 years, is proud to announce it has successfully completed its Kickstarter campaign raising more than $100k.
“We couldn’t be happier with the success of this campaign,” says Phill Giancarlo, Co-Founder of Wearsafe Labs. “But even more important, we are so appreciative to those who backed this project, who believe in our mission to really make a difference in this world.”
The Kickstarter platform, which was supported by 1,107 backers and raised $106,084, allows the company to foster awareness about its mission to save lives. “For us, saving lives goes beyond those which would have been lost, but also those which might otherwise be irreparably altered by a bad experience,” says West Hartford resident David Benoit, Co-Founder of Wearsafe Labs. “We can empower, connect and protect the people we love and help to keep each other safe.”
The money raised from the Kickstarter campaign, which included an initial goal of $75,000 and funded in less than 4 weeks, will help the company ship its first public offering, the Wearsafe Tag, a small wearable, Bluetooth low-energy device that can clip onto almost anything and uses one discreet touch of a button with a range of up to 200 feet from a user’s smartphone. When activated, a selected network instantly receives an alert through email, text and their Wearsafe app, a group chat is started and the network can see where someone is with the GPS information provided as well as hear audio from the location and are provided with necessary medical information related to the user. Users can also receive tactile confirmation to let them know their alert has been received. If additional assistance is needed, network members can call 911 directly from within the app.
“We have an incredible team of angel investors who have supported us for nearly 4 years while we have developed and thoroughly tested this technology,” adds Giancarlo, “but having so many supporters around the world who believe in our service and product is just overwhelming and we couldn’t be more excited to start shipping the Wearsafe boxes.”
“The Wearsafe Tag is adaptable for your whole life,” says West Hartford resident Kim Glooch, Chief Creative Officer for Wearsafe Labs. “From morning through the night, the Wearsafe Tag is designed to fit into your varied lifestyle and to empower you to live your life with the added sense of security. This innovative product is ideal for everyone including, students, athletes, travelers and parents. You are your first line of defense, with one-touch connectivity Wearsafe will keep you safer wherever you are and more secure in whatever you’re doing.”
Former U.S. Secret Service Special Agent Rich Staropoli, who is Wearsafe’s security advisor as well as Chief Security Officer for Fortress in NYC, considers the Tag to be a game changer: “It’s a simple device, incredibly effective and works all the time. As a former Secret Service Agent, if I couldn’t be there with the President, I would want him to have a Wearsafe Tag in his pocket.”
In addition, Staropoli sees a tremendous need for the Wearsafe Tag on college campuses: “Research shows that 1 in 5 women will be a victim of sexual assault on college campuses during a typical four-year course of study. As a father whose daughter is going to college in the fall I feel so strongly that this product should be on every college campus in America. With the knowledge that students could be wearing a Wearsafe-connected device, a college or university creates a significant deterring effect.”
“The Wearsafe Tag is designed for peace of mind from a distance,” says Rebeccah Pailes-Friedman, the Principal of Interwoven Design Group. Pailes-Friedman, who is also a Professor and founding director of the Intelligent Materials Applied Research & Innovation (IMARI) Lab at the Pratt Institute, has led the Research & Development efforts for Wearsafe and is creating a fashionable line of wearable accessories to compliment and personalize the Wearsafe Tag. “This is a powerful product,” adds Pailes-Friedman. “As a professor I feel empowered with the opportunity to help my students to be safe.”
In addition to using the Wearsafe Tag as an activator, over time, other wearables will be enabled to work as well, including fitness trackers and smart watches. Shortly after the launch of the Wearsafe Tag users will be able to use the Pebble smartwatch or the new Pebble Time watch to send an alert. Compatibility with the Apple Watch and Android Wear will be available later this fall. The company’s goal is to make integrating Wearsafe into people’s lives as easy as possible. The Wearsafe Tag will cost about $40 and the service will be $4.99 per month.
About Wearsafe
Wearsafe is a market innovator and leading developer of advanced mobile and wearable safety products designed to revolutionize the way you live your life. Wearsafe’s products marry cutting edge technology with individual and institutional demand for personal safety. As pioneers in creating personal protection products and communication services that leverage mobile technology, Wearsafe’s vision is to change the perception of safety and security products, from solely protecting locations and property, to protecting individuals, wherever they may be.
“We couldn’t be happier with the success of this campaign,” says Phill Giancarlo, Co-Founder of Wearsafe Labs. “But even more important, we are so appreciative to those who backed this project, who believe in our mission to really make a difference in this world.”
The Kickstarter platform, which was supported by 1,107 backers and raised $106,084, allows the company to foster awareness about its mission to save lives. “For us, saving lives goes beyond those which would have been lost, but also those which might otherwise be irreparably altered by a bad experience,” says West Hartford resident David Benoit, Co-Founder of Wearsafe Labs. “We can empower, connect and protect the people we love and help to keep each other safe.”
The money raised from the Kickstarter campaign, which included an initial goal of $75,000 and funded in less than 4 weeks, will help the company ship its first public offering, the Wearsafe Tag, a small wearable, Bluetooth low-energy device that can clip onto almost anything and uses one discreet touch of a button with a range of up to 200 feet from a user’s smartphone. When activated, a selected network instantly receives an alert through email, text and their Wearsafe app, a group chat is started and the network can see where someone is with the GPS information provided as well as hear audio from the location and are provided with necessary medical information related to the user. Users can also receive tactile confirmation to let them know their alert has been received. If additional assistance is needed, network members can call 911 directly from within the app.
“We have an incredible team of angel investors who have supported us for nearly 4 years while we have developed and thoroughly tested this technology,” adds Giancarlo, “but having so many supporters around the world who believe in our service and product is just overwhelming and we couldn’t be more excited to start shipping the Wearsafe boxes.”
“The Wearsafe Tag is adaptable for your whole life,” says West Hartford resident Kim Glooch, Chief Creative Officer for Wearsafe Labs. “From morning through the night, the Wearsafe Tag is designed to fit into your varied lifestyle and to empower you to live your life with the added sense of security. This innovative product is ideal for everyone including, students, athletes, travelers and parents. You are your first line of defense, with one-touch connectivity Wearsafe will keep you safer wherever you are and more secure in whatever you’re doing.”
Former U.S. Secret Service Special Agent Rich Staropoli, who is Wearsafe’s security advisor as well as Chief Security Officer for Fortress in NYC, considers the Tag to be a game changer: “It’s a simple device, incredibly effective and works all the time. As a former Secret Service Agent, if I couldn’t be there with the President, I would want him to have a Wearsafe Tag in his pocket.”
In addition, Staropoli sees a tremendous need for the Wearsafe Tag on college campuses: “Research shows that 1 in 5 women will be a victim of sexual assault on college campuses during a typical four-year course of study. As a father whose daughter is going to college in the fall I feel so strongly that this product should be on every college campus in America. With the knowledge that students could be wearing a Wearsafe-connected device, a college or university creates a significant deterring effect.”
“The Wearsafe Tag is designed for peace of mind from a distance,” says Rebeccah Pailes-Friedman, the Principal of Interwoven Design Group. Pailes-Friedman, who is also a Professor and founding director of the Intelligent Materials Applied Research & Innovation (IMARI) Lab at the Pratt Institute, has led the Research & Development efforts for Wearsafe and is creating a fashionable line of wearable accessories to compliment and personalize the Wearsafe Tag. “This is a powerful product,” adds Pailes-Friedman. “As a professor I feel empowered with the opportunity to help my students to be safe.”
In addition to using the Wearsafe Tag as an activator, over time, other wearables will be enabled to work as well, including fitness trackers and smart watches. Shortly after the launch of the Wearsafe Tag users will be able to use the Pebble smartwatch or the new Pebble Time watch to send an alert. Compatibility with the Apple Watch and Android Wear will be available later this fall. The company’s goal is to make integrating Wearsafe into people’s lives as easy as possible. The Wearsafe Tag will cost about $40 and the service will be $4.99 per month.
About Wearsafe
Wearsafe is a market innovator and leading developer of advanced mobile and wearable safety products designed to revolutionize the way you live your life. Wearsafe’s products marry cutting edge technology with individual and institutional demand for personal safety. As pioneers in creating personal protection products and communication services that leverage mobile technology, Wearsafe’s vision is to change the perception of safety and security products, from solely protecting locations and property, to protecting individuals, wherever they may be.
Contact
Bonner Consulting Group
Michelle Bonner
860-817-1418
www.bonnercg.com
michelle@wearsafe.com
Michelle Bonner
860-817-1418
www.bonnercg.com
michelle@wearsafe.com
Contact
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