If it seems puzzling that a friendship bracelet with some high-tech bells and whistles raised over $15,000 on Kickstarter in less than 24 hours, consider this: The Gemio light-up wristband ingeniously captures nostalgia for the flashy aesthetic of the 90s, the increasingly mainstream EDM fad, and enthusiasm over wearable tech of the future.
That’s a sweet spot for millennials and teens, who are the target audience for Seattle-based Gemio.
The device creates light effects that respond to music and movement. Wearers can change the design and effects the bracelet displays by swapping out snap-on LED tiles. The bands can be paired and allow wearers to send light signals to each other using the MyGemioApp. The applications for that feature are obvious if you’ve ever been separated from friends at a crowded concert or festival.
“Gemio is an occasion band that is about immersing yourself in an experience and enhancing it,” said CEO and co-founder Michael Bettua. “Others use accelerometers to count your steps, we use it to create Light Effects that know when your chatting and when your dancing. Gemio is for people who want their hearts to beat faster but aren’t really interested in counting the beats.”
The startup is working on additional features for the MyGemio App, like Gemio Channels, which allow users to subscribe to organizations and receive light signals from them.
“An example would be subscribing to the Seahawks and having your Gemio Band light up with a special touchdown Light Effect when they score,” said Bettua.
Gemio has about a dozen full-time employees. The startup has raised $1.8 million to date from angel investors and is currently raising another round, according to Bettua.
The Gemio band’s Kickstarter page had $21,000 pledged as of Thursday afternoon.
Watch the video below to see Gemio in action.
