HapWare Secures Early Funding to Advance Wearable Communication Technology for Accessibility

HapWare Inc., a Colorado-based assistive technology startup developing wearable communication tools for people who are blind, low-vision, deaf-blind and neurodiverse, has begun building its funding foundation as it advances its flagship product, AlEye, toward market launch. Founded in 2025 by co-founders Jack Walters and Dr. Bryan Duarte, HapWare’s mission is to close critical communication gaps by translating nonverbal social cues into real-time haptic feedback delivered through wearable devices.

Although still in the early stages of its corporate lifecycle, HapWare has successfully initiated funding activity that reflects both institutional support and regional economic development investment in inclusive technology innovation. In April 2025, the company completed a pre-seed funding round that marked its first external capital raise. This round was backed by Kickstart, a platform known for supporting early-stage innovation through community-oriented financing mechanisms that help founders bring novel products to life while building early market engagement.

The funds raised in the pre-seed round have been directed toward further developing HapWare’s wearable communication system, AlEye, which combines computer vision, artificial intelligence and haptic feedback to help users perceive facial expressions, gestures and body language through vibration patterns. AlEye is designed to enhance everyday social engagement — from classrooms to workplaces — for individuals who otherwise have limited access to nonverbal communication cues.

Beyond early investor support, HapWare has also secured non-dilutive funding from public sector sources aimed at fostering technology innovation in Colorado. The company was awarded $250,000 in funding from the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, a state economic initiative that supports early-stage technology development and commercialization. This funding reflects growing local confidence in HapWare’s potential to contribute to both the accessibility technology sector and the broader regional innovation economy.

The state funding is being used to accelerate product development, expand beta testing activities and support HapWare as it prepares for larger commercialization milestones. The infusion of public capital strengthens the company’s financial position while enabling it to continue refining its technology for real-world use cases across education, employment and social settings.

In addition to institutional and government support, HapWare has gained early recognition through participation in industry and innovation challenges focused on accessibility and disability technology. The company received a $2,500 award at a disability tech pitch competition hosted by the Howe Innovation Center at the Perkins School for the Blind, providing early validation of its approach from organizations deeply engaged in assistive and adaptive technology development.

While HapWare’s funding history remains in its formative stages, the combination of pre-seed backing from Kickstart, state-level economic development funding and competitive innovation awards illustrates a diversified early-stage capital strategy. This blend of private, public and community-driven support is helping the company advance product development while maintaining focus on inclusive design principles.

As HapWare continues to refine AlEye, the company is engaging with early users through beta programs and product waitlists to shape functionality and usability ahead of a broader market launch. These efforts, paired with its initial funding traction, position HapWare to pursue additional investment and strategic partnerships as it moves toward commercialization.

HapWare’s early funding momentum reflects a broader trend among investors and public agencies toward supporting technologies that prioritize accessibility and inclusive innovation. With its first external capital secured and additional opportunities likely ahead, HapWare is laying the groundwork to scale its wearable communication platform and expand access to nonverbal information for individuals who face persistent communication barriers.