Chunky News: How a Chattanooga Startup is Revolutionizing Event Safety with Totem
Read Time: 6 minutes
Tech Topics In This Article: Event Tech, consumer startups, Chattanooga startups, pre-seed rounds
Imagine this: you’re at a bustling music festival, surrounded by tens of thousands of fellow event-goers, and you suddenly lose sight of your friends. Panic sets in for many, but thanks to a groundbreaking Chattanooga startup named Totem, staying connected at events has never been easier.
Founded in 2023, Totem has already made a name for itself with its innovative Totem Compass, a cutting-edge “friend-finding device” engineered to help users navigate large crowds with remarkable ease. Unlike the traditional “Find My Friends” feature available on smartphones, which often struggles in crowded or busy environments, Totem’s technology offers precise and reliable positioning.
How does it work? Each user can bond their personal Totem Compass with four others, creating a peer-to-peer tracking network that operates independently of cellular networks or Wi-Fi. When paired, the devices light up, guiding users directly to their friends, ensuring a seamless experience throughout events.
Totem Compasses: A New Way to Stay Connected
Carter Fowler, co-founder and CEO, shares that the inspiration for Totem came after co-founder Chase Lemonds experienced his phone being stolen on the very first day of a festival in 2019. “Chase instantly lost his group in a sea of over 200,000 people. That’s when he thought about creating a technology that would provide safety and genuine freedom at these events,” said Fowler.
Features and Functions of Totem Compass
The Totem Compass operates on a proprietary system known as the Unity Mesh Network, allowing for an impressive runtime of 10-14 hours on “Vibe Mode” and over 24 hours on “Eco Mode.” The device charges in just 45 minutes via USB-C. With a peer-to-peer range extending over 1,000 meters, the mesh network dramatically uplifts this range to ensure that users can stay connected even if they are separated by large distances at an event. An integrated SOS feature also ensures quick access to assistance when needed.
Thanks to an almost negligible marketing budget of just ,000, Totem has successfully leveraged viral social media to their advantage, amassing over 125 million views and converting that exposure into more than .5 million in pre-orders. As of now, over 23,000 units of the Totem Compass have been shipped to delighted customers in 60 countries, with significant markets in the United States, Germany, the UK, South Africa, and Canada, among others.
Investors Take Notice of Totem's Stellar Growth
Following their impressive traction, Totem closed a .3 million pre-seed investment round from a diverse group of global investors. Many of the investors are actually customers who were drawn to invest via Totem Tuesday, the startup’s engaging weekly newsletter that is read by over 25,000 people.
Fowler emphasizes how vital this newsletter has become for engaging with their community, stating, “Totem Tuesday is the beating heart of our brand, with open rates exceeding 50%. The feedback we gather directly from our users informs our brand direction.”
With all employees based in Chattanooga, the team is determined to establish this city as a hub for tech innovation. “We have a genuine opportunity here to write Chattanooga’s biggest ever Startup Success Story,” Fowler stated. With enthusiasm and community backing, Totem is on its way to becoming a leader in the Event Tech space.
Tags:
#EventTech #Chattanooga #StartupSuccess #WorldNews
