Dresscode
Learn to code with fashion. Dresscode is a company that inspires others to do great things.
Project Description
Dresscode believes there is beauty in innovation and technology. We merge fashion and technology to excite and educate women and girls about computer science, coding and STEM.
Web Site: www.dresscodetech.com
Company Overview
Dresscode has developed a unique product ecosystem that merges fashion and technology to educate women and girls about computer science and coding. The company has sophisticated accessories that have computer science code strings from different languages engraved on them. The user then takes that code on the bracelet and enters it into the website to unlock different lessons that teach the user how to code.
The Problem Dresscode Solves
There is currently a low number of women and girls excited about technology and computer science.
In the 1980s, 37% of all computer science majors were women. Today that number is under 20%. Also a 2015 Google study showed that 50% of all high school girls thought a career in technology and computer science would be bad, nerdy, boring and too hard. There are many more statistics out there that suggest women and girls are not excited about technology today, which is problematic given the projection of the demand for jobs requiring knowledge and skills in this field.
The Solution
Dresscode is bringing beauty to technology by leveraging something our customers are already passionate about, fashion. Dresscode sells fashion forward accessories with computer science code on them. The User takes the code to our websites and enters it in. Each code unlocks a lesson on coding basics including lessons HTML, CSS and Java Script. Over the next year the company will introduce lessons in 3D modeling and additive manufacturing, Alexa Skills, Ruby, Python and other languages.
How it Works
Grab a coding bracelet and...
Story
Dresscode was started as a MBA class project at the University of Notre Dame in 2016. The co-founders met while working on their MBAs at Notre Dame. Their passion for the business comes from personal experience:
- Kayte Malik - For as long as she can remember when it came to technology, she was usually the only girl in the room. In college, she was 1 of 2 women in the CS program and then in the corporate world she often found herself the only woman on a project.
- Bryan Grubert – Has an 11-year-old daughter, when the idea of Dresscode came to be in early 2016 she was starting to shy away from math and science. He saw this as a way for his daughter to stay engaged and excited about STEM.
Team
Kayte Malik - CEO/Co-Founder: Creator of Dresscode
- eCommerce strategist and innovator with a specialization in apparel and accessories
- Omni channel digital product management experience
- Complex software development expert
- Past Companies: Macy’s, Sears, Bank of America
- Education: University of Notre Dame MBA, St. Bonaventure University - BBA in Information Systems
Bryan Grubert - COO/Co-Founder
- Large complex enterprise implementation
- Additive manufacturing, 3D printing expert
- Navy F/A-18 pilot, TOP GUN graduate
- Past Companies: GE, US Navy
- Education: University of Notre Dame MBA, Naval Academy – BS – Aerospace Engineering
The Team includes a list of advisors that have expertise in operations, e-commerce, marketing, PR, finance, curriculum development and legal counsel.
Company Traction
- Launched public facing beta platform in July 2017
- Semi finalist in the ND Business Plan Competition and winner of the First State Bank award for best future financial projects and feasibility of a company
- Paid customers in 23 states and 2 countries
- 9.3% conversion rate
- Over 145 users of Dresscode
- Over 300 bracelets sold
- Featured at UNIQLO on Michigan Ave in Chicago
- Largest deal to date - 150 bracelets with Comcast NBC Universal
- Executed a pilot program with Fortune 500 Bank
- Became a member at 1871 Chicago
- Accepted into the WiSTEM program at 1871 – Forbes Article
- Was invited to attend Women's Wear Daily’s Digital Summit
- CEO Kayte Malik was named to Remodista’s 2018 list of Women2Watch in Business Disruption
- Announced partnership with Wonder Women Tech
- Named to ChicagoInno’s start-up holiday gifts to give 2017
- Closed deal with Vibes
- Featured at ITA/Women Impact Chicago Event
Updates
The Campaign FAQs
Current Barriers
There are two barriers that are hindering Dresscode's ability to scale. The first is the cost to set up large-scale manufacturing and the second is employing a dedicated team of developers.
Not having a dedicated tech team hinders development of the Dresscode platform.
Other Questions:
- How long will it be before I get a bracelet and access to the new lessons?
- It could take up to 6 months. The more money we raise, the faster we can develop technology.
- What are the high priority lessons for 2018?
- They are top secret at this time but know they will be trailblazing.
Open Donation - Help us grow Dresscode. Your dollars will be used to fund mass manufacturing and to improve our lesson offering.
Donate $5 or more and receive a Dresscode sticker
You will receive a Dresscode Limited Edition T-Shirt
You will receive your choice of a Dresscode I am Bracelet
(empty description)
(empty description)
Gain access to a new line.
The future is bright - be the first to receive new coding bracelets
The future is bright - be there first to receive new coding bracelets
Rewards
Open Donation - Help us grow Dresscode. Your dollars will be used to fund mass manufacturing and to improve our lesson offering.
Donate $5 or more and receive a Dresscode sticker
You will receive a Dresscode Limited Edition T-Shirt
You will receive your choice of a Dresscode I am Bracelet
(empty description)
(empty description)
Gain access to a new line.
The future is bright - be the first to receive new coding bracelets
The future is bright - be there first to receive new coding bracelets