Presenting: HapChic - We Turn the Seen Into the Felt

HapChic - Founder Jack Walters presenting, is a wearable assistive device that is bridging the communication gap by providing real time nonverbal communication cues using AI, CV, and haptic technology.

(In-person location is at Galvanize, 1023 Walnut St #100, Boulder, CO 80302 - We will be in the room next to Amante Coffee downstairs)

(Meetup only allows 'online' RSVP option - please ignore that, still RSVP if you plan to attend in-person)

Individuals who are blind, have low vision, or are on the autism spectrum often lack access to important non-verbal communication cues (NVC) from others. In fact, 75% of this community rates the impact of not having access to these cues as a 7 out of 10, while 25% rate it as an 8 out of 10, highlighting the significant challenge they face in social interactions.

We built a wearable assistive technology, HET, that bridges the communication gap by providing real time access to others nonverbal communication cues in social interactions using AI, CV, and haptic technology. The HET is a forearm sleeve with custom embedded electronics and glasses with a camera.

Our target market is 46% of the blind and low vision community who are employed, in the working-class age group, and have disposable income. As well as students who are legally blind or have autism and people with autism.

Our competition is Air, EnvisionAI, OrCam. Our competitive advantage is that the HET is fundamentally different. We are the only device that does not rely on text or audio to communicate information, it is the only device that describes other people in detail, has full user autonomy, user customization, is a discrete haptic wearable, and requires minimal training to understand and use.

The total market size is $4.41B and the total market revenue is $6.5M.

Top 3 challenges:

• Pricing: Most of blind or autistic consumers live on a fixed income.
• Distribution channels: How can we avoid just selling directly to consumers and use insurance, schools, or 3rd party organizations to purchase or assist in purchasing our tech.
• IP strategy: How do we protect ourselves from copy cats?

Our Pitch Boulder ask:

• How can we showcase a level of maturity that an investor would want to see to invest? (Considering we are pre-MVP/ pre-revenue)
• What shows that we have derisked this product enough?
• Introductions or connections to blind, low vision, or autistic community groups or nonprofits.