BuddyGuard
The smart home security system.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| investor | €0.0 | round | |
| investor | €0.0 | round | |
* | €3.4m | Early VC | |
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
| USD | 2015 | 2020 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenues | 0000 | 0000 | 0000 | 0000 |
| EBITDA | 0000 | 0000 | 0000 | 0000 |
| Profit | 0000 | 0000 | 0000 | 0000 |
| EV | 0000 | 0000 | 0000 | 0000 |
| EV / revenue | 00.0x | 00.0x | 00.0x | 00.0x |
| EV / EBITDA | 00.0x | 00.0x | 00.0x | 00.0x |
| R&D budget | 0000 | 0000 | 0000 | 0000 |
Source: Company filings or news article, Dealroom estimates
Related Content
BuddyGuard was a Berlin-based startup founded in 2014 by Wouter Verhoog, with Herbert Hellemann Holguín later joining as CEO. The company aimed to address the home security market with a single, comprehensive device. The business ultimately ceased operations, filing for bankruptcy liquidation in August 2019.
The company's core offering was the FLARE®, a smart home security system designed to be an all-in-one solution. FLARE® integrated a 1080p HD camera with night vision, a motion detector, microphone, speaker, and an 80dB siren into a single unit. Its selling proposition centered on artificial intelligence features, including facial and voice recognition to distinguish between residents and intruders. The system used geolocation to automatically arm and disarm itself as residents left or returned home. A key feature was its ability to simulate household sounds, such as people talking, to deter potential burglars. For privacy, a physical shutter would cover the camera lens when residents were home.
BuddyGuard's business model involved the one-time sale of the FLARE® device, which was successfully funded through a Kickstarter campaign in 2015. The company also planned to offer subscription-based add-on services. These included "BuddySIM" for 4G LTE backup connectivity, "BuddyReact" for dispatching emergency services, "BuddyCall" for phone alerts, and "BuddyCloud" for additional online storage. The system operated via a mobile app for iOS and Android, allowing users to monitor their homes remotely, communicate through two-way audio, and sound the alarm if needed.
The company raised a total of $5.18 million over three funding rounds, including a Series A round in October 2017. Despite its initial funding success and product concept, the company went silent online in early 2018 before officially entering bankruptcy proceedings.
Keywords: home security, smart camera, artificial intelligence security, facial recognition, voice recognition, geolocation security, IoT device, home automation, intrusion detection, security system, video monitoring, FLARE camera, Berlin startup, smart home technology, Kickstarter technology, privacy shutter, home security app, Wouter Verhoog, Herbert Hellemann Holguín