If you are starting to get a jump on your holiday list, we have some startups that have built some gadgets that could find its way into your life. Each week, TechCo features tech startups that can help streamline your daily life. This week in Startup Spotlight, we found a smart trashcan, full-size electric folding bike, biometric smart lock, and DIY STEM kits for all ages.
Benjilock (Los Angeles, CA)
BenjiLock is the world’s first traditional rechargeable padlock with fingerprint technology, which means that not only you can open it with the ease of your fingertips, but also with a set of traditional keys. Their goal is to redefine personal security using a hybrid of new and old technology. The company recently pitched on Shark Tank. In the end, CEO Robbie Cabral went with Mr. Wonderful, Kevin O’leary who offered $200,000 for 15 percent of the company.
Gracias @AROD, @BarbaraCorcoran, @KevinOlearyTV, @LoriGreiner and @MCuban for giving me the opportunity of my lifetime! 🙏 💙 🙌#SharkTank pic.twitter.com/ILRXNcQ45u
— BenjiLock (@BenjiLock) October 16, 2017
Kitables (Boulder, CO)
Learning how to build in STEM is easier than ever. Kitables believes the world needs more builders, but understand that starting an unfamiliar project can be intimidating. That’s why they’ve built project-based DIY kits in the fields of science, engineering, and beyond, through a multi-channel direct to consumer ecommerce platform. The progressive nature of these kits build on skill sets and offer harder challenges at each step. The catalogue of kits is designed to be approachable and memorable for a variety of customer segments. In addition, the company produce custom kits directly for businesses seeking unique efforts to reach customers on both a physical and emotional level and to engage both novice and expert builder.
GeniCan (Newtown, CT)
Once you’re done with an item and throw it away wouldn’t it be great to create an automatic list for the grocery store? That’s the idea behind GeniCan, a first-of-its-kind, hands-free product that allows users to make grocery lists easily and automatically by turning any trash can or recycle bin into a smart one.
To add an item to your shopping list simply swipe the item’s barcode code past the sensor/barcode reader like you would do at the supermarket. If your item does not have a barcode, simply hold the item, or your hand, in front of the scanner for 2 seconds. When GeniCan does not sense a barcode it will ask “What may I add to your list?” And through voice recognition technology, you can tell GeniCan the item you would like to add to your shopping list and it will do the rest!
GeniCan has partnered with Amazon Dash Replenish for automatic delivery, allowing users to shop for popular items like diapers and paper towels right from their recycle or trash can. Users simply link their Amazon account to the GeniCan app and it’s all done.
Gi Fly Bike (New York, NY)
The mission of this company is to reduce the carbon footprint and solve issues within urban areas around the world. Bignay launched their first product Gi Fly Bike, a smart, electric, maintenance-free bicycle that folds in one second and in one motion. The bike not only has 26’ wheels, but is smart because all of the bike’s features controlled through a mobile app: speed, bike sharing, automatic locking, smart lights, full navigation and fitness statistics. It is maintenance-free because it has solid anti-puncture tires and a non-grease belt drive. And the best part, it folds. The company is currently a B2C business model but has plans to expand to design a bike sharing program and work with corporations and the tourism industry around the world. The bike is currently on back order as of this post and pre-order costs $2,290.
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