ChemiSense

ChemiSense, founded in 2014 by Brian Kim and Will Hubbard, developed an air quality sensor platform with a mission to provide accessible air quality monitoring solutions. The Berkeley-based startup initially gained recognition by premiering a wearable air quality monitor at the Plug and Play Tech Center accelerator in 2014. This early device was designed for individuals with asthma and other respiratory conditions, enabling them to track their exposure to pollutants in real-time.

The company's core business involved developing both hardware and software for monitoring air quality. Its product line expanded from personal wearable devices to include RESET-certified commercial solutions for industrial, commercial, and residential markets in the United States, Europe, and Asia. The technology centered on chemical and particle sensors that provided real-time data, historical trends, and alerts. For instance, its CS-001 indoor monitor measured key parameters required by the RESET™ Air Standard for Commercial Interiors, including PM2.5, TVOC, CO2, temperature, and humidity.

The business model focused on selling these monitoring devices and providing access to the data through a scalable system architecture. This platform handled everything from personal monitoring to complex networks of distributed devices, allowing clients to access and analyze hyperlocal environmental data. ChemiSense participated in several accelerator and incubator programs, raising a total of $3.02M through various funding rounds, including a seed round in February 2016. The company's journey culminated in its acquisition by Kaiterra, a global air quality technology company, on April 29, 2020, for an undisclosed amount.

Keywords: air quality monitoring, wearable sensor, environmental sensors, IoT, air quality data, real-time data, pollution monitoring, chemical sensors, particle sensor, indoor air quality, RESET certified, smart breathing, distributed device network, hyperlocal data, Kaiterra, Brian Kim, Will Hubbard, Plug and Play Tech Center, Berkeley startup, air pollution technology