MuuseLabs

MuuseLabs, the company behind the Jooki audio player, was established in Brussels, Belgium, in 2014 by Theodore Marescaux, Pieter Palmers, and Will Moffat. The founding concept originated from Marescaux's personal experience as a father, seeking a way for his children to listen to music independently without the distractions of screen-based devices. Marescaux, an engineer with a background in micro-electronics research, created a prototype that his children loved, sparking the venture. The team, comprised of three engineers, embarked on developing a consumer electronics product. Palmers, serving as COO and Hardware Lead, brought expertise in mixed-signal CMOS design, data converter design, and embedded software.

The company's primary product is the Jooki, a screen-free, Wi-Fi-enabled speaker designed for children aged three and up. Jooki's business model centers on the one-time sale of this durable and portable hardware. The device operates through a patented 'ToyTouch' technology, which uses NFC-enabled figurines and tokens. Parents use a mobile app to associate these physical items with digital audio content, such as Spotify playlists or uploaded MP3 files. When a child places a figurine on the speaker, the corresponding playlist or story begins to play, offering a tangible and intuitive interface for young users. This system provides children with autonomy over their listening choices while allowing parents to retain control over the content. The speaker can stream content via Wi-Fi or play files stored on its 5GB of internal memory, making it suitable for both home and travel. It features an 8-hour rechargeable battery, a headphone jack, and Bluetooth connectivity.

MuuseLabs initiated its journey with a successful Kickstarter campaign in August 2016. By the end of that year, the company secured investments from two Brussels-based funds, ST'ART and Brustart, followed by additional funding from The CoFoundry in August 2017 to facilitate its commercial launch. However, the company faced significant challenges, including the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on sales and subsequent difficulties in sourcing electronic components in 2022. After attempting a judicial reorganization to manage its debts, MuuseLabs was declared bankrupt, with the process being overseen by a curator.

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