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Seattle, Washington-based Gemio develops an Internet of Things fan engagement platform centered around interactive, light-up wearable wristbands designed for live entertainment events. The company targets millennial and teenage demographics at concerts, festivals, and sports arenas with devices that respond to music, physical movement, and signals from a companion mobile application. Users can visually connect with peers and subscribe to specific organizations for customized lighting effects, while the company distributes its hardware directly to consumers through platforms like Kickstarter. Operating with approximately 12 full-time employees as of 2016, the enterprise generated initial consumer traction by raising over $21,000 during its crowdfunding campaign. The hardware startup also secured $1.8 million in early-stage funding from undisclosed angel investors to support its manufacturing and software development efforts. Gemio was founded in 2014 by chief executive officer Michael Bettua.
Gemio has raised $1.4M across 2 funding rounds.
Gemio has raised $1.4M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Gemio has raised $1.4M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $950K Seed in January 2016.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2016 | $950K Seed | — | Amplifyher Ventures, Third Prime | Announced |
| Mar 1, 2015 | $400K Seed | — | Amplifyher Ventures, Third Prime | Announced |
Gemio is a Seattle-based technology startup founded in 2014 that builds an IoT fan engagement platform featuring interactive LED wristbands, merging wearable tech with social experiences for music, sports, and events.[1][2][3][5] It serves millennials, teens, and event-goers by solving the problem of disconnected immersion at concerts, festivals, and games—using light effects synced to music, movement, and signals to enhance shared passions without focusing on fitness tracking.[2][3] Early growth included a Kickstarter campaign raising over $21,000 quickly, $1.8 million from angels by 2016, and crowdfunding support, positioning it as a nostalgic yet futuristic accessory.[1][3]
Gemio emerged from a vision to counter isolating technology by amplifying shared live experiences, founded in 2014 by CEO and co-founder Michael Bettua alongside entrepreneurs, technologists, and engineers.[1][3][5] The idea tapped into 90s friendship bracelet nostalgia, EDM culture, and wearable tech trends, targeting millennials seeking enhanced party and event vibes.[3] Pivotal early traction came from a 2016 Kickstarter where the light-up wristband raised $15,000 in under 24 hours and $21,000 shortly after, validating demand; the team grew to about a dozen full-time employees while securing $1.8 million in angel funding and pursuing more.[3]
Gemio rides the wearable tech and IoT convergence with live events, capitalizing on EDM's rise, sports fan engagement, and social signaling in crowded venues during the mid-2010s wearable boom.[3] Timing aligned with Kickstarter's crowdfunding surge for hardware startups and millennial nostalgia for tactile, visual fun amid screen fatigue—market forces like festival culture and team loyalty amplified its fit.[1][3][5] It influences the ecosystem by pioneering fan-centric IoT, inspiring interactive merch that blends physical presence with digital signals, though it predates AR/VR event integrations.
Gemio's trajectory points to evolving its platform amid maturing IoT ecosystems, potentially expanding to AR-enhanced bands or broader venue integrations as live events rebound post-pandemic. Trends like immersive fan tech (e.g., NFT-linked wearables, AI-synced lights) and metaverse-adjacent experiences will shape it, with influence growing if it scales partnerships with leagues or festivals. From its 2014 spark of shared lights piercing crowds, Gemio remains poised to heartbeat faster in passion-driven tech.[3][5]
Gemio has raised $1.4M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Gemio's investors include Amplifyher Ventures, Third Prime.
