HapWare Raises $1.5 Million Pre-Seed Funding
HapWare, a Denver-based company focused on making communication universally accessible, has successfully raised $1.5 million in a pre-seed funding round. The funding was led by Adaptation Ventures, with participation from Sidecut Ventures, Mines Venture Fund, Avesta Fund, and The Pitch Fund.
About HapWare and ALEYE
HapWare is dedicated to empowering individuals who are blind, low-vision, or neurodivergent with its innovative solutions. The company's flagship product, ALEYE, is a wrist-worn haptic device designed to translate facial expressions, gestures, and body language into tactile feedback. This technology aims to bridge the communication gap for users who rely on non-visual cues. ALEYE works in tandem with Meta smart glasses or smartphone cameras to detect visual social cues and convert them into distinct vibration patterns on the user's wrist.
Funding Utilization
The funds from this round will be used to advance ALEYE from its testing phase towards a broader U.S. launch. HapWare plans to collaborate with organizations such as the Braille Institute of America and the American Council of the Blind to distribute the device. Additionally, the company is exploring potential applications for ALEYE beyond accessibility, including support for autistic and other neurodivergent individuals who may benefit from enhanced interpretation of social cues. HapWare has opened preorders for ALEYE, requiring a refundable $59 deposit towards the device's planned $359 retail price.
Insights from HapWare's Leadership
Jack Walters, CEO and co-founder of HapWare, highlighted the importance of ALEYE in enhancing communication for their users. He remarked, "The majority of communication is visual. Our customers tell us ALEYE helps them navigate conversations at work, know when someone is waving, recognize when a loved one is smiling, and feel more independent."
Co-founder and CTO Dr. Bryan Duarte's personal experience as someone who became blind at 18 has been instrumental in shaping the development of ALEYE. His understanding of the challenges faced by the blind and visually impaired community has driven the creation of this innovative device to address nonverbal communication gaps.