[erohead]

I started working on a prototype smartwatch back in 2008 while I was doing undergrad at UWaterloo. iPhone didn't have a Bluetooth API then so I actually hacked together a small 30 pin dongle with an nrf radio. Quickly moved to Blackberry which had a semi working BT API.

I graduated in 2009 and decided to work on it full time. Funding in early days came from oversized novelty cheques from pitch competition wins, some interest free loans ($15k personal loan from Canadian government - CYBF) and personal savings from my coop work terms over previous 5 years.

Got $20k YC funding in 2011 which kicked company into higher gear before our Kickstarter campaign in 2012.

[graycrow]

I still regret that Pebble went out of business. Any plans to make similar smartwatch again?

[erohead]

No, there's no point. You can buy a Pebble 2 HR on Amazon for $90. It will last long into the future (albeit with slightly reduced feature set in July, until the Rebble.io project is up to speed).