Breathe99
Reusable elastomeric masks with high-efficiency replaceable filters.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | investor | €0.0 | round |
* | N/A | - | |
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
Breathe99 developed and manufactured protective face masks, most notably the B2 Mask, a reusable respirator with replaceable filters designed for everyday use. The company was founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 2018 by Max Bock-Aronson and Coleman Rollins. Bock-Aronson, a mechanical engineer, was inspired to create a better mask after experiencing poor air quality while studying abroad in Singapore in 2013. He found existing options either ineffective or too cumbersome for daily protection. After developing an initial prototype and winning a design award at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he continued to refine the concept.
The company, operating as a Public Benefit Corporation, focused on creating a durable, comfortable, and sustainable alternative to disposable masks. The B2 Mask features a flexible, washable facepiece made from FDA-approved materials and uses small, disposable filters capable of removing over 99% of airborne particles down to 0.1 microns. This design aimed to reduce waste and provide superior protection from pollutants, allergens, and airborne pathogens. Breathe99's mission was to make high-quality public health products accessible to everyone.
Breathe99 utilized crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter to launch its products, experiencing an initial failure before a highly successful campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company received financial backing from investors including the Venn Foundation, Bush Foundation, and Protolabs, which also provided manufacturing services. On February 15, 2023, Breathe99 was acquired by Armbrust American, a Texas-based medical manufacturer, which continues to produce and sell the Breathe99 masks.
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