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
RECAP: 1 Million Cups focuses on time with Mixtape, Flowh
There was a theme at today’s 1 Million Cups KC, and it was time. Two startups presented their businesses, both at different stages, and both in different industries, but both dealing with time — how we remember it and how we manage it. Mixtape founder Joel Johnson was first to present his firm, which created…
Lean Lab eyes $25K in national pitch contest
The Lean Lab, a Kansas City-based education innovation incubator, is hoping to strike gold in a national pitch competition in California. The organization on Wednesday will be pitching its model in the Teach For America Social Innovation Awards, an annual competition in which the Lean Lab hopes to snag a $25,000 prize. Lean Lab is the…
6 ways to be a startup community hero (for non-entrepreneurs)
Melissa Roberts, marketing director of the Enterprise Center of Johnson County, shares how those interested in helping the startup community can effectively engage entrepreneurs. In my work at an entrepreneurial service non-profit in Kansas City, I get to meet many passionate, community-minded people each day. Often, those people have no connection to our startup community, other than…
Major network provider taps SquareOffs for ‘Rant Offs’
SquareOffs recently landed a client that may place its web-based debate technology in front of millions of more people. The company partnered with digital media network Rant Inc. to offer its online debate and polling tech to engage Rant’s readers and increase their advertising revenue. “It’s one of the bigger contracts that we’re apart of,”…