Fund Me, KC: WISE IoT tech aims to lower energy bills, decrease carbon footprint
May 7, 2018 | Startland Staff
Editor’s note: Startland News is continuing its “Fund Me, KC” feature to highlight area entrepreneurial efforts to accelerate businesses or projects. If you or your startup is running a crowdfunding campaign, let us know by contacting news@startlandnews.com. Today’s featured campaign is from Kansas City-based Wise Power Inc.
Who are you?
Kevin Williams
My name is Kevin Williams and I’m the founder of Wise Power, Inc. (WISE) – Where the Internet of Things meets Energy Storage.
Prior to starting WISE, I founded an IT company called WillCo Technologies that created custom software. We developed a cybersecurity workforce compliance program for the U.S. Department of Defense. We started with 1,000 users in 2006 and grew to over 1.6 million users when I sold the company in 2017 to focus on WISE.
What Does WISE do?
WISE is an intelligent energy storage and Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled lifestyle management startup. WISE technology combines the IoT with energy storage, thus allowing people to store energy to power their homes and businesses as well as to manage and automate their energy usage according to their lifestyle and business needs. It’s totally unique because it also allows users to easily integrate, monitor, and control smart appliances and devices through a smartphone, tablet or computer. The resulting benefits include lower energy bills, greater lifestyle convenience and business efficiency, and a decreased carbon footprint.
WISE products rely on patented technology including a WISE Controller, Patent No: US 9,559,522, and a WISE Power On Demand (WISE POD) system, Patent No: US 9,348,384. The WISE business model works through a nationwide network of WISE Certified Distributors who sell, install and maintain WISE technology.
How much do you hope to raise?
Our goal was just increased from $107,000. We have completed a required legal and financial review that would allow us to raise as much as $1,070,000 through StartEngine. Our intent is to raise a minimum of $300,000 to implement our go-to-market strategy.
What do you plan to use the funds for?
The capital will be used for continued product development of the energy storage units and the mass-market production of the IoT units. Funds will also pay to brand and position our solution in the marketplace.
How are you differentiating your campaign?
We are using a variety of advertising and marketing avenues. We have social media friends and followers on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat. We are also looking to budget advertising dollars on social media campaigns.
What’s some advice you have to others launching a crowdfunding campaign?
There are several crowdfunding platforms. Do the research and find the one that best fits your needs. Also, remember to spend time building a great team. Founders often concentrate on building a great product or service, as they should. But devote some time to also building out a great team.
2018 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Bodyrite duo cooks meal prep into personal training concept
Don’t just go with the flow at a traditional gym, Jamil Nelson said. Go with Flo. “Treadmills and ellipticals are pretty archaic to us,” said Nelson — or “Mr. Bodyrite” to his wife, Florese. “A jump rope is way better because it’s going to blow up your heart rate.” Modern workouts are all about functional,…
Tech tracks workplace bias: It exists ‘whether you want to face it or not’
During a summer internship with a large Kansas City corporation, college student Louis Byrd was unexpectedly called into the HR office. Although the incident was about 10 years ago today, it has not yet left his mind, Byrd said. “I’ll never forget this,” he said. “HR told me that the people on my team had…
EyeVerify explains why it changed name to Zoloz
More than two months after revealing a curious name change, EyeVerify is offering details behind its evolution to become “Zoloz.” The fast-growing biometrics tech firm announced in August that it was rebranding as Zoloz, but initially offered little information about the reason for or meaning behind the name change. Headquartered in downtown Kansas City, a…
Sandy Kemper-led YEP KC primes teen entrepreneurs for success
If all extraordinary students knew they were exceptional, the world would be a much more entrepreneurial place, said Sandy Kemper. “It’s the future of our city,” said Kemper, co-founder of YEP KC, about young talent. “If we can capture them early, before they go to college, we can create a network that can sustain them…