Opal Wearables
Building the future of wearable safety.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | €0.0 | round | |
| investor investor | €0.0 | round | |
* | $50.0k | Grant | |
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
Opal Wearables is a developer of smart jewelry focused on personal safety. The company's flagship product is a smart ring designed to offer a discreet way for individuals to request assistance in emergencies. This venture originated from a business school project by co-founder and CEO Jen Chiang, who, motivated by personal experiences and extensive research, aimed to solve a critical gap in the personal safety market. Chiang's research, which included interviews with over 200 women and LGBTQ+ individuals, revealed a significant demand for a wearable panic button that was also aesthetically pleasing, as the design of existing products was a major barrier to adoption.
The company was co-founded by Jen Chiang and Lance, the CTO, whom she met through the Columbia Build Lab, a program that connects business and engineering students. They began building the company in October 2021. The core mission addresses the high rates of violence experienced by women and the LGBTQ+ community, providing a tool for users to get help when they don't have a moment to use their phone. The business operates in the direct-to-consumer (B2C) electronics and fashion market. Revenue is generated through the sale of the smart rings, which are priced at $349, with discounts offered to those on the waitlist. The company also received a $50,000 grant from FuzeHub in July 2023.
The Opal smart ring functions by pairing with the user's smartphone via a companion app. By pressing the stone on the ring, a user can discreetly trigger an alert to 911 and pre-selected emergency contacts, sharing their GPS location. The device can also activate an SOS siren on the user's phone. The ring is designed to be a fashionable accessory, blending safety technology with style. It is available in several designs, including lab-grown opal, mother of pearl, and black onyx set in Argentium silver. The company's approach prioritizes subtlety, allowing personal safety to be a background feature rather than a conspicuous device.
Keywords: personal safety, smart ring, wearable technology, direct-to-consumer, fashion accessory, emergency alert, GPS tracking, women's safety, LGBTQ+ safety, connected device