Everykey
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Cybersecurity |
| Founder | Chris Wentz |
| Headquarters | |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people |
|
| Website | everykey |
Everykey designs and builds a patented universal smart key that can unlock devices and log into online accounts on those devices.[1] The idea began as an entrepreneurship class project at Case Western Reserve University.
Crowdfunding Campaign
[edit]Everykey launched its Kickstarter campaign on October 29, 2014. Within 48 hours, the campaign had reached trending status and raised over $25,000 in pre-orders.[2] The project quickly gained attention, and Everykey launched another crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo with John McAfee on December 7, 2015.[3] While some media outlets such as Wired[4] and TechCrunch[5] were excited about the traction, they also expressed concern over the security versus convenience factor of the product. Writers at Business Insider focused more on the vision of the company, exploring Everykey’s future plans and classroom origin story.[6]
Products
[edit]The company's debut product was an electronic wristband designed to replace keys and passwords. Development of the prototype into a working product was funded by a Kickstarter campaign. The current product, resembling a USB thumb drive that can be inserted into a wristband accessory, was funded by an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign. The software enables Everykey to work with a variety of computer and mobile platforms. Everykey currently offers the hardware thumb-drive style product as well as a Key Ring Accessory, Band Accessory, Charging Cable, and Bluetooth Dongle.[7]
Technology
[edit]Everykey is a Bluetooth device that can communicate securely with an unlimited number of other Bluetooth devices, simultaneously. The Everykey device employs a patented method including AES and RSA encryption to allow the user to unlock their devices and login to online accounts without having to type passwords. When the user leaves with Everykey, the app can lock everything back down and log out of online accounts.[8][1] Everykey’s patented method allows it to perform unlocking and locking actions without plugging in the device.
Reception
[edit]Many were skeptical about Everykey’s legitimacy due to the company’s delayed shipment to early adopters. John McAfee’s involvement as the company’s brand ambassador was controversial, with some being concerned and others elated regarding his involvement.[9] The company hosted an r/IAmA style open forum on Reddit so anyone could ask about topics ranging from security to late delivery.[10] Everykey has since addressed many of the initial concerns, and is now selling their products with retailers such as Best Buy, Newegg, and Office Depot.
Competitors
[edit]In the password managers market, Everykey competes with LastPass,[11] 1Password and Dashlane. In the hardware security key market, Everykey's competitors include Nymi[11][12] and YubiKey.
Awards
[edit]Everykey has been recognized by many local and state organizations for the CEO’s flashy pitch style and grassroots backstory:
- ProtoTech 1st Place[13]
- LaunchTown 1st Place[14]
- North Coast Opportunities Technologies Fund Award[14]
- FUND Conference 1st Place[15]
- Best Startup Culture in Ohio, Finalist[16]
- Morgenthaler-Pavey Startup Competition 1st Place[17]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Authentication device and method". Google Patents. January 21, 2014. Retrieved 2018-11-09.
- ^ Everykey (October 31, 2014). "Everykey Pre-Orders Exceed $25,000 in First 48 Hours" (PDF). Everykey. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
- ^ Everykey (December 7, 2015). "John McAfee Launches Everykey, New Product that Replaces Passwords and Keys, on Indiegogo" (PDF). Everykey. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
- ^ Smarter Upstarter (November 1, 2014). "Unlock Your Passwords with Your Proximity". Wired. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
- ^ Natasha Lomas (November 8, 2014). "Everykey Wants To Put Passwords On Your Wrist". TechCrunch. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
- ^ Rebecca Borison, Maya Kosoff (October 29, 2014). "This Wristband Wants To Replace All Of Your Keys And Passwords". Business Insider. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
- ^ "Everykey.com". Everykey. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
- ^ "AUTHENTICATION DEVICE AND METHOD". US Patent and Trademark Office. July 23, 2015. Retrieved 2018-11-09.
- ^ Information Security (October 29, 2016). "Everykey Scam is a good reason to dump MGT shares". Medium. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
- ^ PaulReviews (December 14, 2016). "Everykey AMA (www.everykey.com) via Paul.Reviews". Reddit. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
- ^ a b Natasha Lomas (November 8, 2014). "Everykey Wants To Put Your Passwords On Your Wrist". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2018-11-09.
- ^ Lorraine Luk (November 20, 2014). "Everykey Wristband Aims to be Your Password Manager". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2018-11-09.
- ^ "Everykey wristband takes first place at ProtoTech pitch competition". techohio.gov. October 22, 2014. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
- ^ a b Karen Farkas (October 7, 2015). "Cuyahoga County gives loan to tech company started by Case Western Reserve University graduate". Cleveland.com. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
- ^ FUND Conference (December 7, 2017). "EveryKey - Top10 Pitch Presentation". vimeo.com. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
- ^ Lisa Colbert (October 29, 2018). "Warmup is Over! Vote now for the Startup Culture Awards Winner!". techohio.gov. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
- ^ Daniel Robinson (June 6, 2019). "Startups win $70,000 at university's flagship pitch contest". Case Western Reserve University. Retrieved October 1, 2019.