GearBrake takes on Techstars Mobility
GearBrake takes on Techstars Mobility
Local startup gets the chance to learn from Ford-Backed mentors and advisors
TU Auto – Detroit, June 4, 2015: GearBrake, a local startup, has packed up and moved to Detroit for the next three months. They are 1 of 10 companies that have been chosen to participate in the Ford-Backed Techstars Mobility startup accelerator. Receiving $120,000 in funding and three months of intensive mentorship, GearBrake will work on business and product development. On September 10th they will be presenting to investors and industry leaders in Detroit for Demo Day.
GearBrake is focused on making motorcycle riding safer and more enjoyable. They are building innovative technology, right here in the USA, and want to improve the riding experience. More importantly they are focused on saving lives. They have developed a brake light module to save motorcycle riders from rear-end collisions. The module is universal, discrete, and easy-to-install. It is able to detect when the rider is slowing and automatically illuminate the brake lights, letting other drivers know that they have decelerated.
- Chris Bailey- CEO and Jason Harrington- COO are the founders of the startup. They got the idea when Chris had an accident that could have been prevented.
- They have produced plug- and- play kits for riders. Most makes and models are available online. They are able to make custom harnesses as well.
GearBrake will still have operations and employees in Louisville. “We aren’t leaving Louisville for good. Much of our engineering, sales and operations will continue to operate in Louisville, KY,” says Chris Bailey.
By getting accepted into the Detroit based mobility startup accelerator they will be able to take the company further, faster. The Techstars program gives the selected companies the opportunity to learn from the best. Over the next three months Chris and Jason will be mentored and advised by top industry/business leaders from Ford, Honda, Verizon and others. Through the funding and mentorship program they will be able to focus more on product and business development. By the end of the 3 months the duo will be presenting on Demo Day (September 10) to industry leaders and potential investors. They’ll have the opportunity to earn more funding and further more, develop their business.
“With this opportunity we will be building on our current technology and creating new features to develop the future of motorcycle riding. I was so excited to see that Techstars understood our vision for the future and was willing to take a chance to help us get there,” says Chris Bailey.
About Techstars
Techstars is a global ecosystem that empowers entrepreneurs to bring new technologies to market wherever they choose to build their business. With 18 mentorship-driven accelerator programs worldwide, Techstars exists to support the world’s most promising entrepreneurs throughout their lifelong journey.
Techstars provides access to over 5,000 founders, mentors, investors, and corporate partners, allowing entrepreneurs to accelerate the pace of innovation and do more faster. Techstars makes entrepreneurship more accessible by providing access to capital, guidance, marketing, business development, customer acquisition, and recruitment. For more information, visit http://www.techstars.com.
Contacts
Chris Bailey Jason Harrington
