CHALLENGE
In a world filled with digital detox apps, how might we design a physical tool that helps people manage their smartphone use?
My two cofounders and I started Atbay, a hardware-as-a-service company, in January 2018 with help from the Venture Asheville Elevate program (a local business mentorship program) and YCombinator Startup School (a digital version of their in-person accelerator program). Over the course of a year, we developed the first physical tool aimed at managing smartphone use at home. This project culminated in a successful Kickstarter project in October 2018.
CHALLENGE
Role and responsibilities
- CEO & Cofounder
- Product design & development
- Business model exploration
- Concept development
- Supporting role with firmware coding and PCB development
- Marketing strategy
- Packaging and shipment