Netgear has invested in a kid-tracking tech startup, Jiobit

The new cash also helps Jiobit grow sales, marketing and development of GPS-enabled kid tracker. It’s also an endorsement of kid tech.
BY
IAN SHERR
NOVEMBER 19, 2018 5:00 AM PST
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jiobit
Jiobit is really a GPS-enabled kid and pet tracker that launched numbers.
Jiobit
A kid tech company founded by ex-Motorola executives has just gotten a nod from of the tech industry’s biggest identities.
Netgear, probably best known for its consumer routers and modems, was part from the group that invested $6.5 million in Jiobit, a small business that makes GPS tracker s that can be on children’s clothes. Overall, Jiobit has raised $11 million since its founding in 2015.
The Chicago-based startup first released its namesake tracker last months. The device, which costs $100 with a year by year contract of $8.99 every and $130 without a contract, attaches to clothing in a proven way that’s in order to lose or remove.
“I wanted something ended up being discrete and something that can just attach to any a part of their clothing,” John Renaldi, Jiobit’s CEO, said while i met with him in ’09. “That way it’s some thing they wear normally nevertheless.”
The Jiobit works by gathering GPS information and periodically sending that to the web over a cellular add-on. That periodic connection means unit fitted will be suitable for about full week on electric powered. Jiobit is water-resistant and built to withstand mud, spilled milk along with the occasional wrestling match. It’s always attached to pets as well.
Netgear’s endorsement of Jiobit comes on end when the little one tech publication rack struggling to develop out of your teething degree. Analysts say high prices and reliability concerns have kept many kid tech devices from commencing.
There are usually some exceptions. Happiest Baby, a startup founded by “Happiest Baby during the Block” author Dr. Harvey Karp, has struck partnerships with high-profile companies like Activision Blizzard, Hulu, Qualcomm and Snap to help employees rent its $1,160 Snoo carrycot.
The nod from Netgear could signal another budding success. Jiobit says desire for its devices jumped the particular back-to-school push. A spokeswoman declined to say how setting up devices have been sold so far, but she did say they’re being by simply “thousands of homes.” The company’s been back-ordered about six weeks since, and likely end up being into February, she generated.