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§ Private Profile · San Francisco, CA, USA
SKULLY is a technology company.
SKULLY has raised $14.1M across 3 funding rounds.
Key people at SKULLY.
SKULLY has raised $14.1M in total across 3 funding rounds.
Key people at SKULLY.
SKULLY has raised $14.1M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $11.0M Series A in February 2015.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 1, 2015 | $11M Series A | Michael Bell, Nicholas Brathwaite | 7percent Ventures, Anorak Ventures, Celesta, Formation 8, Techstars, Western Technology Investment | Announced |
| Jan 1, 2015 | $2M Seed | — | 7percent Ventures | Announced |
| Aug 14, 2014 | $1.1M Venture Round | — | — | Announced |
SKULLY has raised $14.1M in total across 3 funding rounds.
SKULLY's investors include Michael Bell, Nicholas Brathwaite, 7percent Ventures, Anorak Ventures, Celesta, Formation 8, Techstars, Western Technology Investment.
# SKULLY: Augmented Reality for Motorcycle Safety
SKULLY Technologies designs and manufactures augmented reality (AR) wearable technology for motorcyclists, specifically intelligent helmets that integrate heads-up displays, rear-view cameras, GPS navigation, and voice control to enhance rider safety and situational awareness[1][3]. The company serves motorcycle riders who prioritize safety and connectivity, solving the critical problem of blind spots and road distractions that contribute to accidents[1]. Founded as a reconstituted entity in 2017 after acquiring assets from the original Silicon Valley startup, SKULLY Technologies has demonstrated meaningful growth momentum by re-engineering the product and beginning commercial shipments of its flagship SKULLY FENIX AR helmet[2].
The company operates within the personal mobility interconnect space, positioning itself at the intersection of transportation and technology[3]. Its mission centers on revolutionizing rider experiences through integrated smart helmet technology that keeps riders' attention on the road while providing essential information—speed, fuel levels, hands-free communication, music streaming, and navigation—directly in their line of sight[1].
SKULLY's journey reflects both entrepreneurial ambition and redemption. The original Skully Helmets Inc was founded in 2013 by Marcus Weller and operated as a Silicon Valley startup that raised $13.44 million in total funding, including $2.5 million through Indiegogo crowdfunding and $11 million in venture capital from Intel and others[1][4]. However, the company shut down in July 2016 after failing to secure additional funding, leaving crowdfunding backers without their promised helmets and facing allegations of misused corporate funds[4].
In 2017, cousins Ivan Contreras (founder and CEO of Torrot/GasGas motorcycle brands) and Rafael Contreras (president of Carbures, an aerospace carbon fiber manufacturer) acquired the company's assets and relocated operations to Atlanta, Georgia[2][4]. This acquisition proved pivotal: within 18 months, the new leadership team re-engineered the product and began shipping the SKULLY FENIX AR helmet, fulfilling promises to original backers[2]. The reconstituted company attracted minority investment from Western Technology Investment (a Silicon Valley venture capital firm) and Daniel Reiner (a transportation technology investor), establishing a leadership team with deep expertise in manufacturing, technology, and motorcycles[3].
SKULLY Technologies operates at the convergence of three significant trends: the AR/VR hardware revolution, the smart transportation ecosystem, and the personal mobility safety market[1][3]. The company is positioned within the broader augmented reality space, competing alongside other AR/VR innovators while addressing a specialized vertical—motorcycle safety—where AR adoption has been slower than in automotive or consumer applications[1].
The timing is strategically advantageous. Cities globally are investing in smart transportation infrastructure, and Atlanta—where SKULLY is headquartered—has emerged as a hub for smart city solutions and transportation technology talent[3]. The motorcycle market, while smaller than automotive, represents an underserved segment where AR can deliver outsized safety benefits. Additionally, the maturation of AR display technology and the availability of proven Android-based platforms have made integrated helmet solutions technically and economically feasible in ways they weren't during the original company's 2013-2016 period.
SKULLY's influence extends beyond product sales: by demonstrating that AR helmets can be engineered, manufactured, and shipped at scale, the company validates the broader category and may inspire similar innovations in protective gear across sports and transportation sectors.
SKULLY Technologies represents a rare second-act success story in hardware entrepreneurship. The company has transformed a failed venture into a functioning business by combining Silicon Valley's AR/VR expertise with operational excellence from transportation and aerospace sectors. The key question ahead is whether the SKULLY FENIX AR can achieve meaningful market penetration beyond early adopters and crowdfunding backers—motorcycle helmet adoption rates remain price-sensitive, and consumer awareness of AR helmet benefits is still nascent.
The company's trajectory will likely depend on three factors: scaling production to meet demand without repeating the original company's supply chain failures, expanding the product line beyond the flagship helmet, and building a developer ecosystem around the AR platform to create third-party applications. If successful, SKULLY could establish itself as the dominant platform for connected motorcycle safety, positioning the company for acquisition by larger automotive or consumer electronics firms seeking AR expertise in the personal mobility space.
