How a Kansas City startup uses everyday movement to power tech

In today’s increasingly digital world, our smartphones and mobile devices aren’t just connectivity-enhancing gadgets—they’re a part of us. Yet despite the evolving sophistication of portable technology, one glaring problem remains. “Our individual tech bubbles are shrinking—electronics have become very personal,” said Blake Isaacs, CEO of Genneo …


Genneo creates generators that help power your devices through everyday motion. 

In today’s increasingly digital world, our smartphones and mobile devices aren’t just connectivity-enhancing gadgets—they’re a part of us. Yet despite the evolving sophistication of portable technology, one glaring problem remains.

“Our individual tech bubbles are shrinking—electronics have become very personal,” said Blake Isaacs, CEO of Genneo. “Phones, GPS watches, cameras—all of these devices need power. You can do things from anywhere except when you have to charge your gadget. That’s the nuisance of the whole experience.”

And that’s where Genneo comes in.

The Kansas City-based startup creates practical solutions powered by renewable mobile kinetic energy. Simply put? The energy you create by moving is captured and used to charge your USB-connected device.

The solution seems simple enough, yet the innovation and insight that powers Genneo’s product line (no pun intended) is anything but. As CEO, Isaacs draws on his extensive experience in cell phone product management and engineering to create prototypes that are then used to help sell Genneo’s technology to three key markets: consumer electronics, the military and original equipment manufacturing (OEM), a sector that encompasses wearable technology.

Consider, for example, two of Genneo’s principle prototypes—the G3000 and G2000 generators—created with Genneo’s vendor, Hisonic, and funding from a Digital Sandbox grant. Pack the slim, cylindrical tube into a purse or backpack and generate energy that charges a USB-powered device simply by the power of your movement.

The G3000 delivers one hour of talk time for every four hours that it’s carried; the G2000 delivers one hour of talk time for every eight hours. Need a faster surge of power to get you through a quick conversation or task? Simply shake the generators and get two to three minutes of talk time per one minute shaken (depending on the model).

The generators pack a big punch in a small package, offering “more than double the performance over conventional technology at half the size,” Isaacs says. 

Sure, the generators are intuitive and eye-catching, thanks in large part to Genneo’s industrial designer Daniel Veiga, who Isaacs calls “the best I’ve ever worked with.” Yet the real power of the product—and of Genneo—is found in what Isaacs calls “our secret sauce” inside the generator. 

“Part of our competitive advantage is our intellectual property—we’ve come up with something that offers twice the performance at the same size,” he said. 

Kansas City startup Genneo is in the process of patenting its motion-generated energy source. 

To help protect that invaluable IP, Genneo filed a patent in April 2013 that includes the generator’s main functioning systems. The company’s plan is to file more patents within the next two months.

“What we want to do is capture and build on that IP advantage,” Isaacs said.

Ever the innovators and inventors, the Genneo team isn’t content to merely improve the company’s existing generators—they’re exploring a wider product line, too. That includes everything from bicycle anti-theft systems powered by motion and entirely contained within a bike’s seat post to wearable technology—another prime market opportunity. Especially because Isaacs says today’s wearable products are missing a key element.

“If you can completely integrate the power source, it improves the overall experience,” he said. “Technology is best when it’s seamless. If you’re going to make a jacket with hand warmers or built-in headphones, having a cable hanging out to plug in the wall makes it silly. Instead, put the power directly in the product.”

As most entrepreneurs know, however, it’s not simply about creating and distributing product—investments are critical too, especially in a company’s early days. In November, Genneo attempted to raise $100,000 through a Kickstarter campaign but fell short with $15,000 pledged to its goal.  

Since, Genneo has achieved a number of milestones, including seed funding, OEM revenue and filing an initial patent. To help capitalize on growing momentum, the company has created an aggressive business plan that outlines key goals and accomplishments throughout the rest of the year—and in the years to come.

“Opportunities are huge,” Isaacs said. “The only way to take full advantage is to raise money and pick up the pace.”

Luckily for Isaacs, he has an aggressive and knowledgeable team in place to help propel the company forward. Along with Daniel, Isaacs also works with Nicholas McLean, who draws on an industrial engineering degree and MBA to help on the company’s business side by securing financing. And as Isaacs looks back on the company’s founding, there’s one person in particular he credits.

“There’s so much energy in Kanas City for wanting companies to get going and be successful—there are a lot of people who want to help in different capacities,” Isaacs said. “For Genneo, it’s Denise Fields [senior university industry relations officer at UMKC]—she’s been the ‘angel’ in angel investor.”

Regardless of how Genneo’s product line expands over the coming months, the renewable mobile kinetic energy products share a common purpose while solving a pervasive problem.

“We’re about taking the level of performance way up so it doesn’t take a focused effort to create power,” Isaacs said. “We’re making practical energy harvesting possible.”

 

Credits: Product photos courtesy of Genneo. 

This story is part of the AIM Archive

This story is part of the AIM Institute Archive on Silicon Prairie News. AIM gifted SPN to the Nebraska Journalism Trust in January 2023. Learn more about SPN’s origin »

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