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Puffin

We're making assistive technology that fits itself to the user, instead of the other way around.

$20,040
pledged of$10,000 goal
63
0Days Left
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Project Description

Birth of the Puffin

Having a disability pushed me (Adriana) to be innovative in my approach to everything. My love for technology started at age seven when my occupational therapist introduced me to assistive tech that allowed me to use a computer by myself. It was my first taste of independence and I was hooked!
 
The idea for the Puffin had been floating around in my head for a while. I love to travel, but typically don’t bring my power chair for various reasons, and as a result, I'm cut off from everything - like everyone else these days, I'm dependent on personal electronics and the need to always stay connected. I knew that I needed to develop a technology that was portable and could shift and travel with me.
 
Late 2014, I had the opportunity to submit my idea for a chance to participate in the 2015 MIT Assistive Technology Hackathon. I was one of 13 people chosen and won first place. Four talented MIT engineering students took my vision and built a prototype. From there, I formed a team with Shana Penna, my co-founder and COO. We received funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Mass Life Sciences Internship Competiton, and recently, Puffin became a MassChallenge Boston 2017 finalist. It is incredible to finally see my vision come to fruition!

Why we need your help!

In addition to supporting the sustainability of our project, a crowdfunding campaign would supplement related costs that the grant does not allow such as legal services and a robust branding campaign leading to the product launch.

In the United States, over 5 million have a form of paralysis, many of whom are isolated from their community, living in poverty, and unable to find gainful employment.

 

15.5% of individuals living with paralysis are employed versus 63.1% who are not living with a disability

Such disabilities impede utilization of mobile devices, preventing full and independent participation in society. Most are unable to use integrated services such as transportation apps, mobile banking, e-commerce, home automation, etc., additionally impacting access to education and employment.

The Puffin is a combination of hardware and software that provides access to a variety of devices, i.e. computers and mobile phones. It allows users to increase their employment opportunities and enhance economic potential typically unavailable to this population; empowering them to gain marketable skills, such as coding, CAD development, etc. Moreover, connecting with apps like home automation systems gives users control of their environment with minimal assistance, aiding in independence.

Funds raised will help us accomplish the following:

  • $10,000 for patent filing
  • $20,000 to market our first 500 sales
  • $40,000 to increase production by getting an injection mold

#SelfiesForAll

We also want to share our official hashtag for this campaign, #SelfiesForAll – we believe that everyone has the right to be able to take a

selfiesforall-original

SELFIE! And with our Puffin Device, we will give access to selfie-making magic to a population of incredible people who have been underserved.

 

Ellen selfie

Ellen DeGeneres put selfies on the map with her famous, star-studded Oscar night photo – but selfies aren’t just for celebrities!

We were inspired to start this movement when I, Adriana, impressed the judges at the MIT 2015 Assistive Tech Hackathon by taking a selfie with them and my team – this moment helped us WIN that hackathon and propel the mission to where we are today!

Updates

The Campaign FAQs

Puffin’s goal is to make technology accessible for all without compromising quality.  Assistive technology is a great example of health-related expenses gone awry. When things have the assistive technology label on them, the cost of the product rises exponentially. Many people with significant disabilities live in poverty, so these costs prohibit them from attaining essential technologies - the reason affordability is a factor in our initiative. 

To be accessible, this technology needs to be affordable for all users. That philosophy influences our development process and forces us to think outside the box. We have learned that thinking about technology from a user cost perspective adds value to our product because that creativity can lead to novel ideas. By attaining as much non-equity draining investments as possible for manufacturing and distribution of the product will allow us to maintain a level affordability for our target market.

Dorothy
02/10/2019
Puffin Sticker
$20
IFundWomen Pay-It-Forward
05/30/2018
Monetary Contribution With No Reward
$10,000
01/25/2018
Puffin Sticker
$25
01/25/2018
Monetary Contribution With No Reward
$25
Ana
01/23/2018
Monetary Contribution With No Reward
$200
01/20/2018
Monetary Contribution With No Reward
$250
01/18/2018
Puffin Team Supporter
$250
01/18/2018
Puffin Hoodie
$100
01/18/2018
Monetary Contribution With No Reward
$20
01/17/2018
Monetary Contribution With No Reward
$20
Monetary Contribution With No Reward
41 Supporters
Select this reward
10.00 USD
Virtual Thank You

Sending a virtual high five and massive hug - we are eternally grateful for your support and will tweet out our thanks!

2 Supporters
Select this reward
20.00 USD
Puffin Sticker

Sending a virtual high five and massive hug - PLUS receive an awesome PUFFIN STICKER! Social Media shout out included

196 Left
4 Supporters
Select this reward
20.00 USD
#SelfiesForAll Sticker

Sending a virtual high five and massive hug - PLUS receive an awesome #SELFIESFORALL STICKER! Social Media shoutout included

200 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
50.00 USD
Exclusive Puffin Tote-Bag

Sport your Puffin tote bag to carry all of your assistive technology needs! Delivery in time for the holidays!

17 Left
3 Supporters
Select this reward
100.00 USD
Puffin Hoodie

The Puffin hoodie will keep you cozy this winter - delivery in time for the holidays! Sizes available are S, M, L, XL (men's/women's/children's sizes available)

12 Left
8 Supporters
Select this reward
250.00 USD
Puffin Swag Bag

The perfect holiday gift of all of our best Puffin gear - Tote Bag, Hoodie, both stickers, PLUS a wheelchair headrest cover and seatbelt pad of your choosing!

18 Left
2 Supporters
Select this reward
250.00 USD
Puffin Team Supporter

Your name will live forever on our site as an original Puffin Team Supporter - we will be forever grateful (literally)!

28 Left
2 Supporters
Select this reward
500.00 USD
Skype Session with the Co-Founders

You and Puffin Co-Founders, Adriana Mallozzi & Shana Penna, will have a 1-hour Skype session on universal design

5 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
650.00 USD
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL Pre-Order Puffin Device (20% OFF RETAIL PRICE)

(empty description)

4 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
800.00 USD
Pre-order The Puffin Device

Pre-order The Puffin Device for yourself or as a gift to an individual or organization

0 Supporters
Select this reward
1,000.00 USD
The Puffin Team Comes to YOU!

Puffin Co-Founders Adriana Mallozzi & Shana Penna will come to your event/school/organization to talk in person about Puffin and their mission to make technology accessible for all! *Available in the Boston-Metro Area ONLY.

3 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
2,500.00 USD
Honorary Puffin Team Member

Come visit the Puffin HQ in Boston and join the team for a day - includes a Puffin Swag Bag, and of course, an Honorary Team Member Uniform (tee-shirt!). *travel expenses not included

3 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward

About the Entrepreneur

Boston, MA
Created 1 Campaign
Tech

Rewards

Monetary Contribution With No Reward
41 Supporters
Select this reward
10.00 USD
Virtual Thank You

Sending a virtual high five and massive hug - we are eternally grateful for your support and will tweet out our thanks!

2 Supporters
Select this reward
20.00 USD
Puffin Sticker

Sending a virtual high five and massive hug - PLUS receive an awesome PUFFIN STICKER! Social Media shout out included

196 Left
4 Supporters
Select this reward
20.00 USD
#SelfiesForAll Sticker

Sending a virtual high five and massive hug - PLUS receive an awesome #SELFIESFORALL STICKER! Social Media shoutout included

200 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
50.00 USD
Exclusive Puffin Tote-Bag

Sport your Puffin tote bag to carry all of your assistive technology needs! Delivery in time for the holidays!

17 Left
3 Supporters
Select this reward
100.00 USD
Puffin Hoodie

The Puffin hoodie will keep you cozy this winter - delivery in time for the holidays! Sizes available are S, M, L, XL (men's/women's/children's sizes available)

12 Left
8 Supporters
Select this reward
250.00 USD
Puffin Swag Bag

The perfect holiday gift of all of our best Puffin gear - Tote Bag, Hoodie, both stickers, PLUS a wheelchair headrest cover and seatbelt pad of your choosing!

18 Left
2 Supporters
Select this reward
250.00 USD
Puffin Team Supporter

Your name will live forever on our site as an original Puffin Team Supporter - we will be forever grateful (literally)!

28 Left
2 Supporters
Select this reward
500.00 USD
Skype Session with the Co-Founders

You and Puffin Co-Founders, Adriana Mallozzi & Shana Penna, will have a 1-hour Skype session on universal design

5 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
650.00 USD
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL Pre-Order Puffin Device (20% OFF RETAIL PRICE)

(empty description)

4 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
800.00 USD
Pre-order The Puffin Device

Pre-order The Puffin Device for yourself or as a gift to an individual or organization

0 Supporters
Select this reward
1,000.00 USD
The Puffin Team Comes to YOU!

Puffin Co-Founders Adriana Mallozzi & Shana Penna will come to your event/school/organization to talk in person about Puffin and their mission to make technology accessible for all! *Available in the Boston-Metro Area ONLY.

3 Left
0 Supporters
Select this reward
2,500.00 USD
Honorary Puffin Team Member

Come visit the Puffin HQ in Boston and join the team for a day - includes a Puffin Swag Bag, and of course, an Honorary Team Member Uniform (tee-shirt!). *travel expenses not included

3 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward