One of the most intriguing products from CES is now one step closer to reality.
Finsix, which has developed innovative power technology to shrink laptop chargers, launched a Kickstarter today for its first gadget, Dart.
The 65 watt charger is basically the same device we saw back in January: Dart is around a third of the size of a typical laptop charger, and it sports two USB charging ports. Dart could easily find an audience among consumers who don’t want to be encumbered by bulky chargers — especially since our laptops are also becoming thinner and lighter every year.
Finsix has already raised more than $6 million from Venrock and angel investors, so I asked CEO Vanessa Green why the company needed a Kickstarter campaign:
“The [venture] investment has really been about taking the technology out of the lab and into the real world,” Green said. “We wanted to get engaged with customers, get feedback, and build those relationships. We felt a Kickstarter campaign is a good way for us to engage directly with users.”
Finsix CTO and cofounder Anthony Sagneri spent years developing the core technology, which can cycle power more than 1,000 times faster than existing laptop chargers, at MIT. The company has also hired several renowned engineers in the power space, including its director of technology integration, Jim Kardach, who previously served as Intel’s chief power architect.
Early Kickstarter backers at the $79 level can nab their own Dart, a $40 discount from the eventual retail price. MacBook owners, unfortunately, will need to shell out $148 for a Dart compatible with Apple’s charging technology. (Since the Dart is only a 65 watt adapter, it won’t power large MacBook Pros that need more juice.)
The company expects to start shipping its first Dart units in October.
Our fourth annual VentureBeat Mobile Summit, April 14-15 at the scenic Cavallo Point Resort in Sausalito, Calif., will gather the top mobile 180 executives to tackle the biggest growth opportunities in the industry today. Request an invitation.Finsix launches a Kickstarter for its revolutionary (and tiny) laptop charger
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