Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
PROVO — A Utah team's solution to staying warm while looking stylish is finding success on Kickstarter.
Provo-based Ravean recently introduced a line of heated down jackets, vests and sweatshirts on the crowdfunding site, earning well over $300,000 in the first few weeks of its campaign. The company was created by self-described lovers of the outdoors who wanted a lightweight coat that would look good both indoors and out, with the ability to adapt to different temperatures.
One of the coat's features drawing the most attention is its ability to charge cellphones while on the go because the battery that powers the coat's heating system also has a USB port. Ravean co-founder Bryce Fisher said a buttonhole in the pocket for cords lets phones conveniently charge at the same time the coat provides heat.
He also said the electronics in the jacket, which were made using carbon fiber materials, are "ultrasafe and hard to destroy." The electronics were also designed to be 100 percent waterproof.
"If it's raining really hard nothing will happen to the system," he said. "If you want to wash (the jacket) all you've got to do is take out the portable battery just because it would destroy your washer by banging around."
Ravean's co-founders — Fisher and Jon Bybee — graduated from Brigham Young University and came up with the idea for their line of heated jackets after their first business, Luvaire, recently sold in a multimillion dollar acquisition. Luvaire is an essential oil diffuser.
Fisher started working on the concept for Luvaire while still at BYU, and the company sold only a few months after graduation. He majored in Mandarin.
"I've kind of had this chip on my shoulder that even though I got kicked out of business school, I could definitely figure out how to run and start a business," he said.
After Ravean's Kickstarter, Fisher said the company will continue to expand its line of outerwear by adding more colors and new coat concepts. Multiple big box retailers have expressed interest in selling Ravean's products in their stores.
During the Kickstarter period, prices for the heated sweatshirt start at $89 and the down products start at $95.
