Launch Watch by Spark No.9

We help companies design and launch new businesses. This is where we keep an eye on companies that are bubbling up, and take note of how they are positioning themselves for success.

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SHHHOWERCAP

Shower cap meets runway

In a nutshell: Sleek, fashionable, turban-like shower cap made of a nanotech material that is waterproof and quick to dry.

Launched: 2015

How they caught our eye: The chicest, functional shower cap we’ve ever seen.

How they communicate their product solves a problem: Their unique design is 100% waterproof, dries in seconds, has a rubber grip which holds the cap in place, is antibacterial, prevents frizz and feels luxurious.

How they made us believe: Vogue, The New York Times, Refinery 29, Elle, Glamour and many more all rave about Shhhowercap.

The verdict: This is not your grandma’s plastic shower cap.

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PAGEPROOF

Browser meets red pen

In a nutshell: The world’s first fully encrypted cloud proofing and approval system for video, audio, imagery, documents, live websites and more.

Launched: June 2015

How they caught our eye: We’re always looking for ways to get our inbox to zero.

How they communicate their product solves a problem: The various features such as workflows and red pen editing eliminates the need for messy email chains.

How they made us believe: We’re currently using Pageproof with our clients.

The verdict: Pageproof gives the creative industry the feedback visibility we need to get work done.

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SLADDA

IKEA meets mobility

In a nutshell: Flat-packed, assembly-required bike for the urban commuter. 

Launched: Winter 2017

How they caught our eye: Simple design + high utility + Ikea brand

How they communicate their product solves a problem: Features such as its oil-free belt drive, lightweight frame, and attachable accessories for transporting cargo make city movement much smoother.

How they made us believe: We've already assembled billy bookcases and lots of swivel office chairs. Ikea, we know you've got this! 

The verdict: Ikea is smart to move into the bicycle space, as more and more city dwellers are looking to reduce their carbon-footprint.

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PARAVEL

Luxury luggage meets OtterBox

In a nutshell: Direct-to-consumer luxury travel line.

Launched: Fall 2016

How they caught our eye: We can’t stop staring at their mesmerizing video ads on Instagram.

How they communicate their product solves a problem: Paravel describes their resilient canvas products as tools for trouble-free traveling. 

How they made us believe: Waterproof, spill-proof, Italian cotton canvas. Need we say more. 

The verdict: As the Wall Street Journal says, Paravel “takes the worry out of travel--and does so in style.”

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AIRING

Breathing device meets Cadillac 

In a nutshell: The world’s first maskless, hoseless, and cordless micro continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device.

To be launched: Expected July 2017

How they caught our eye: Airing’s modern, user-friendly design.

How they communicate their product solves a problem: Pictures of their tiny, fashionable device next to cumbersome, traditional sleep apnea masks.

Why we’ll come back when they launch: We need sleep!

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LITTLE SPOON

Baby meet Seamless

In a nutshell: Fresh, nutritional, organic, baby food delivered to your door every other week.

Launched: April 2017

How they caught our eye: Modern, playful aesthetics on their packaging.

How they communicate their product solves a problem: Their mantra, “Your baby food should never be older than your baby”, emphasizes their focus on freshness.

How they made us believe: Pediatricians recommend less processed foods and that’s exactly what Little Spoon delivers.

The verdict: Little Spoon is a worthy competitor, ready to rattle the baby food grocery aisle.

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FREZIT

Trash can meets freezer meets computer

In a nutshell: A collection of the world’s first smart disposal units for homes, businesses, and commercial use that freezes organic waste.

To be launched: Available for pre-order 

How they caught our eye: It connects to wifi?! 

How they communicate their product solves a problem: Frezit emphasizes how the design of their unique technology helps reduce landfill waste and incineration. 

Why we’ll come back when they launch: This technology will be groundbreaking as more and more cities become “Zero Waste” cities.

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ASPIRATION

Investing meets your conscience

In a nutshell: Aspiration is an online, consumer-focused, financial services firm that has a pay-what-you-will approach to fees and gives a percentage of its revenue to charitable causes.

Launched: 2015

How they caught our eye: Aspiration’s unique fee structure.

How they communicate their product solves a problem: Their site highlights that everyone deserves a financial firm that brings fairness, great products and the chance to both make money and make a difference. 

How they made us believe: They amassed more than 50,000 people on their waiting list!

The verdict: Aspiration can pave the way to more values-based financial industry that isn’t just for millionaires. 

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LUX BEAUTY CLUB

Birch Box meets hair stylist

In a nutshell: High-quality, affordable hair extension products and subscriptions for a multi-cultural range of women.

Launched: Spring 2016

How they caught our eye: Lux got a shout-out from Allure in an article about how women of color are taking the hair business in their own hands.

How they communicate their product solves a problem: Lux’s wide range of products, at affordable prices, emphasizes their mission to make all women feel beautiful.  

How they made us believe: A percentage of the proceeds from their Virtue Collective product line benefits female-centric nonprofit causes, further supporting their vision of female empowerment. 

The verdict: Don’t you love our new long locks?

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A DAY

Yoga pants meet happy hour

In a nutshell: Technical clothing that women can wear anywhere, from the gym to the bar.

Launched: Moved from London to NYC in 2016.

How they caught our eye: As busy New Yorkers, we’re always looking for clothing that is both functional and stylish. 

How they communicate their product solves a problem: The combination of their clothing’s simple designs and intelligent fabrics = high-quality, versatile clothing staples that are sustainable, season-less, and functional.

How they made us believe: They work with engineers around the world to find and create technologically advanced fabrics, inspired by silks and other classic fabrics.

The verdict: A Day has reinvented activewear for the girl on the go.

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HAYO

Smart home meets Star Wars

In a nutshell: Hayo connects to your smart home devices and gives you the ability to control them with simple hand motions.

To be launched: Pre-order available for Summer 2017 

How they caught our eye: You can activate your coffee machine from your bed?! Sign us up.

How they communicate their product solves a problem: Visuals that show how Hayo senses your unique context, passive motion, and proactive gestures to create useful and unique controls for your home.

Why we’ll come back when they launch: We want the superpower of controlling inanimate objects. 

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THURSDAY FINEST

3D printer meets knitting needles

In a nutshell: 3D knitted products that are made to order in the U.S., in custom color combinations and sizes.

Launched: Winter 2015

How they caught our eye: Those super-sustainable, personalized, knitted neckties.

How they communicate their product solves a problem:  Visuals that show how each item is made on demand, creating a better fit while saving time and eliminating waste.

How they made us believe: Each order is fed into an algorithmically-sorted production queue and knit in a length that maps directly to a customer's height. 

The verdict: Thursday Finest is using technology to redefine the accessories we wear every day.

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CARE/OF

Discover [Your Health] Weekly

In a nutshell: Care/of creates personalized daily vitamin packs from information on customers’ goals, health and lifestyle. 

Launched: Fall 2016

How they caught our eye: Beautifully designed, user-friendly website with lots of visual icons as keys.

How they communicate their product solves a problem: Care/of’s questionnaire helps them to get necessary data to make accurate, honest recommendations and give you peace of mind. 

How they made us believe: Their advisory board includes doctors from Harvard and Tufts.

The verdict: The vitamin industry is in need of a revamp and Care/of can pave the way.

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CAAVO

Apple TV meets, um, steroids?

In a nutshell: The Caavo TV box is a universal control system for all your entertainment streaming devices.

To be launched: June 2017

How they caught our eye: The Verge says about Caavo, “Something huge is happening here.”

How they communicate their product solves a problem: In the demo on Code Media, you can see how easy it is to ask for a show and have Caavo find and play it from your connected devices. 

Why we’ll come back when they launch: We waste WAY too much time scrolling through our various devices to find what we want. 

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EVERYBODY

Retail meets Revolution

In a nutshell: Ethical and earth-friendly clothing and lifestyle goods designed and inspired by everyday people.

Launched: Fall 2016

How they caught our eye: Stunning visual website with pops of color and “real” people modeling the products.

How they communicate their product solves a problem: They clearly emphasize, “MADE FROM 100% RECYCLED COTTON—THE FIRST IN THE WORLD!”

How they made us believe: The ethical label, created by former American Apparel creatives, has caught the attention of many including Vogue, The New York Times, the Guardian etc.

The verdict: The time is ripe for EVERYBODY to share their voice.

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LEGO LIFE

LEGO meets Instagram

In a nutshell: A child-friendly social network where kids can share their LEGO creations and connect with a broader community.

Launched: January 2017

How they caught our eye: LEGO, the company behind the iconic bricks, launching a social platform? Tell us more.

How they communicate their product solves a problem: Colorful website with fun lego-centric images that shows kids all the cool things they can do and tools they can use on Lego Life.

How they made us believe: According to LEGO, kids have already been actively sharing their creations in the LEGO Club Magazine’s “Cool Creations” section and on message boards. This activity is what inspired the creation of LEGO Life.

The verdict: If kids love LEGO, they will love this online world.

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COCOON

Sealy meets Casper

In a nutshell: A Sealy quality mattress delivered to your door.

Launched: Spring 2016

How they caught our eye: A Facebook ad with a striking photo grabbed our attention, and we had to click when we saw the parent brand was Sealy.

How they communicate their product solves a problem: Rave reviews from satisfied mattress owners (including Oprah!), that emphasize the quality of the product and the remarkable hassle-free box that actually fits through your door.

How they made us believe: Cocoon designed and tested over one hundred prototypes to develop a shippable mattress that meets Sealy's standards.

The verdict: Watch out Casper, a giant in the mattress space is coming after you.