Montreal-based SmartHalo, a smart biking device developer, has successfully crowdfunded $1 million for the second generation of its product on Kickstarter.
“It made sense to return to Kickstarter after the success of the first SmartHalo campaign.”
-Xavier Peich
SmartHalo2 is a connective device that allows riders to track cycling metrics, sync that data with fitness apps, and find new routes with navigation signals. It is water-resistant and comes fitted with an anti-theft alarm and a front light. Arguably its most recognizable new feature is PeekDisplay, which complements the product’s Halo display to provide more visible information to the rider.
“We see a huge opportunity in cycling. Not necessarily for sports, but for mobility,” said Xavier Peich, CEO and co-founder of SmartHalo. “Cities are investing in better infrastructure, while increasingly limiting car access and parking to downtown cores. This is a huge trend that is coming to Canada sooner than we think.”
SmartHalo, formerly known as CycleLabs Solutions Inc, was founded in 2014 by Peich, Gabriel Alberola, Maxime Couturier, and Olivier Bourbonnais. In 2015, the company launched its first Kickstarter campaign, resulting in over 3,000 community pledges and raising half a million dollars. In 2016, the company raised a $328,000 angel round, and has been backed by Fonds Innovexport since 2017, a Quebec-based fund that also backs the likes of cloud software company, AlayaCare.
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In the second half of 2017, the company struck a deal with Apple, distributing the SmartHalo device in Apple stores across North America and Europe. Peich said SmartHalo is both the first Kickstarter project and the first Canadian hardware company to launch at Apple. Since then, the company has delivered 25,000 units to cyclists in over 70 countries. Peich told BetaKit the company expects to raise a Series A sometime this year.
The company participated in The Next36’s 2016 Venture Day, where Peich was recognized as a Next Founders Valedictorian. The company also advanced to the finals of the Startup Community Awards in 2017, placing in the top three in the Startup Champion of the Year category.
“It made sense to return to Kickstarter after the success of the first SmartHalo campaign,” the company wrote on its Kickstarter page. “It’s a great platform for us to share our vision and receive the support needed to bring it to life. Crowdfunding allows us to give back to our community by giving our fans the opportunity to get the new SmartHalo first and at a discounted price. It’s a winning solution for everyone.”
The SmartHalo2 is expected to ship before Christmas 2019. The current Kickstarter price is $133 CAD ($99 USD).
Image courtesy SmartHalo.