A year ago, Scout - the Chicago-based startup manufacturing next generation home security solutions - was not allowed to put its flagship product, the ScoutAlarm, on Kickstarter because it wasn't far enough along in preproduction.
Instead of going back to the drawing board, Scout open-sourced crowdfunding code and decided to host the campaign on its own site. In a week, the company exceeded their $180,000 goal and went on to raise over $474,000, making it one of the most successful independent crowdfunding projects of all time.
Today, nearly a year later, the ScoutAlarm is officially available to consumers and has begun shipping to backers.
The product is the ideal alarm system for renters. Wireless and compact, the ScoutAlarm can be installed and removed instantly and allows users to monitor their homes or apartments via a smartphone or tablet. Scout also offers a kind of 'build-your-own' alarm system; the base (hub) costs $129 and then homeowners and renters can add door panels ($69), motion sensors ($49) and access sensors ($29). These sensors can be set up near doors, windows, outside, and even next to cabinets. Finally, users can monitor their own systems for $9.99 a month or they can sign up for 'Professional Monitoring' for an additional $10 a month.
In order to create a modern security solution, Scout also focused on the design of its product. The startup teamed up with gravitytank - a local, leading design firm - on the aesthetic, creating sleek, minimal alarms and sensors to rival traditional clunky-looking systems.
Said Dan Roberts, Scout CEO and Co-Founder, “The affordable, hassle-free home security system that our backers have waited for patiently will now be in their own homes very soon. Our customers were so enthusiastic about Scout from the start, and we are excited to provide an even more comprehensive, user-friendly experience that results in a more secure home.”
(Image via https://www.scoutalarm.com/)
