Last Updated on August 10, 2015 by Tim
Wearsafe is a Hartford-based startup developing advanced wearable personal safety products. Late summer 2015 Wearsafe will release its new Wearsafe app/service as well as its first product, the Wearsafe Tag, a small, wearable Bluetooth low-energy device that pairs seamlessly with a smartphone to instantly connect a person with their network of family and friends. Wearsafe is currently using the app in the iPhone arena (will be available for Android in September) as well as the Pebble Watch.
Wearsafe was inspired, if you will, from the Cheshire (CT) home invasion in July 2007. David and Phill learned that everyone in the family had a cellphone, but the phones were taken away early on. That cellphone, a lifeline, could not help the Petit family. David and Phill worked tirelessly and poured everything they had into developing a service and product that can allow someone in distress to call for help even when they can’t get to their phone.
Wearsafe has an incredible team of angel investors who have backed this project for more than 3 1/2 years and now the team is ready for its unveiling and ready to ship its first product, the Wearsafe Tag.
Wearsafe’s primary security advisor is Rich Staropoli, a former U.S. Secret Service agent for Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. “This product can prevent the unthinkable from happening” says Staropoli. “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 strongly feel 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 Tag, which can clip to almost anything, uses one discreet touch of a button with a range of up to 200 feet. When activated, a selected network 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. Users can also receive tactile confirmation to let them know that their alert has been received. If additional assistance is needed, help numbers are available for contacts to send a variety of support services.
Even during its early stage of development, Wearsafe Labs’ personal safety platform received recognition for its technology and innovation, having been a grand prize winner at Startup Weekend (Connecticut, 2013), selected for the UConn Innovation Accelerator Program at the Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (2013), selected for the Entrepreneurship Program at Trinity College (9/13-12/13), accepted into the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technologies’ Accelerator Program (2014) and selected for the Barney School of Business Accelerator Program at the University of Hartford (2014).
“The Wearsafe Tag will change how we connect and how we stay safe,” says Co-Founder Phill Giancarlo.
Wearsafe’s Kickstarter campaign is the launching point for the company’s mission to positively impact 10 million lives in the next 10 years. “For us, saving lives goes beyond those which would have been lost, to also include those which might otherwise be irreparably altered by a bad experience,” adds Co-Founder David Benoit. “We can empower, connect and protect the people we love and help to keep each other safe.”
Adaptable for your whole life from morning through night, the Wearsafe Tag is designed to fit into your varied lifestyle. This innovative product is ideal for everyone, students, athletes, travelers and parents with small children. Wear it a variety of ways or hide it completely, it’s your choice. One-touch connectivity keeps you safer wherever you are and more secure in whatever you’re doing.
As pioneers in creating personal safety 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.
The Tag, version 2.0 and the “auto” feature is currently in development and will be released in 2016.
Website: wearsafe.com
