Project Startup: Featured Startups

Spira

"Always wear shoes (your feet will feel better)." – Duck Dynasty patriarch, Phil Robertson

We can all use a good pair of shoes as we travel on the roads through life! Andy Krafsur, co-founder of Spira Footwear, is obsessed with helping people's feet (and lives) be more comfortable.

The Robertson's built a better duck call based upon their passion for hunting, and Spira believes they have built a better shoe based on Andy's passion for running. Spira is offering several limited edition versions of the Duck Dynasty camouflage shoe available ONLY through this crowdfunding project on RocketHub. These remarkably comfortable shoes are based on our popular Spira® Stinger XLT performance shoe, which contains three WaveSprings – two in the forefoot and one in the heel.

Visit RocketHub to learn more about this breakthrough technology and to pre-order your very own pair of officially-licensed Duck Dynasty running shoes.

lüft

The enterprising team at lüft* noticed a clear and distinct gap between good-looking outerwear, and technical outerwear. They aim to fill that gap with a product that is both highly technical (waterproof/breathable), attractive to the eye, and functional when put through authentic, extreme testing.

lüft has designed a soft-shell jacket that achieves high waterproof and breathability ratings while maintaining a soft touch, stretchy feel, and longer cut. Similarly spec'd soft-shell jackets are currently selling for over $300. lüft plans to sell this jacket for around $200.

To support this project or learn more about lüft visit RocketHub.

* lüft means 'air' in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, and German. lüft clothing is for athletes who spend as much time as possible in the air.

The Queens' Tea

Seth and Michael founded The Queens' Tea in Salt Lake City as a way to share their passion for tea. Seth, a historian, and Michael, a scientist, pride themselves on creating original blends and carrying the finest selection of tea classics from a variety of regions.

Started out of a studio apartment, The Queens' Tea now works out of a small commercial kitchen that they share with several other local companies. They are rapidly growing and now need a larger commercial kitchen space to scale production and meet the demand for their loose-leaf tea.

Seth and Michael consider their project a community investment. Their store will serve as a hub for educational classes focused on enriching the local Salt Lake City culture. With tea events and classes on the ritual, history, science and preparation of tea, The Queens' Tea aims to get their local community excited about the world's most widely consumed beverage.

To support this project or learn more about The Queens' Tea visit RocketHub.

Active Desk

Dr. Jim Martin and his team at Active Desk recently got tired of sitting around in their desk chairs all day long. Dr. Martin, an avid cyclist, saw a problem and created a solution. He noticed that the average American was spending over 8 hours a day in a sitting position. Recent studies have shown that this much sitting is harmful for the body, and can potentially lower lifespan. So he designed Active Desk, a desk that integrates the functions of a bicycle and a typical office workstation.

Active Desk is designed with functionality in mind. The bicycle moves smoothly and puts the user in an optimal position for using their computer. Testers of the Active Desk prototypes have reported burning between 300-800 calories a day. The cycling is low stress, with no muscle burn, no sweating, or heavy breathing.

Medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and depression can result from a lack of activity. Active Desk helps users get their exercise, while also providing an enjoyable way to spend the work day. Activity improves cognitive function, and Active Desk users say that they think more clearly and feel better while using Active Desk. Isn't it time you gave Active Desk a spin?

To support this project or learn more about Active Desk visit RocketHub.

Emergency Shelters

World Housing Solution is a company with a passion for helping people through some of the hardest times they will face. Natural disasters in populated areas have been on the rise in the last decade, and too often people are left without shelter in the weeks and months following the disaster. World Housing Solution watched the earthquake in Haiti in 2010 and knew they could provide a better housing solution to the people now residing in tent camps.

The World Housing Solution product is a reusable earthquake and hurricane resistant shelter structure that will not grow mold or mildew or rot or burn. It is created using Structural Insulated Composite Panels. The panels simply snap together and there is no need for power tools or any advanced engineering or carpentry skills to assemble. The product was so successful that the company was authorized to bid on projects by the U.S. State Department and USAID. Still, World Housing Solution feels that their product can be improved to an even faster, more ergonomic design.

To support this project or learn more about Emergency Shelters visit RocketHub.

Migraine Glasses

Anyone who has ever had a migraine knows that the pain is unrivaled. 30 million Americans suffer from migraines and light sensitivity, and Neuro-ophthalmologist Dr. Bradley Katz has treated over a thousand patients with migrane-related issues. His patients suffered from nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and pain. Dr. Katz knew that with the proper research, he could help his ailing patients.

Enter Steve Blair and Ben Rollins, a photonics researcher and a marketer, respectively. The three men formed Axon Optics, with the goal to use Dr. Katz's light filter research to create the perfect therapeutic glasses. Their product, Axon Therapeutic Eyewear, combines cutting-edge coating techniques and injection molding into a lens surface that promises to prevent migraines. The glasses also come equipped with featherweight frames, medical grade stainless steel, flex hinges, and silicone nose pads. Axon Therapeutic Eyewear is the product of years of research from a highly respected doctor in the field of ophthalmology.

To support this project and secure your pair today visit RocketHub.