Chicago's "Shark Tank" Stars Are At It Again With New Inventions
Chicago, IL (PRWEB) August 01, 2016 -- LuminAID, the Chicago-based startup that invented the world’s first solar inflatable light is launching a new line of patented solar lights.
2016 has been an exciting year for the innovative startup. The year started off with a January follow-up appearance on ABC’s Shark Tank by co-founders Andrea Sreshta and Anna Stork, who had reeled in offers from all five “Sharks” in 2015. In May, the duo won the TOMS Shoes Pitch for Good Contest and secured an investment from Blake Mycoskie in the process. And in June, the inventors received a wide-ranging patent on LuminAID’s portable solar technology. Now, the company is introducing an all new line of inflatable solar lanterns for use in disaster relief, humanitarian aid, and outdoor recreation.
"This was a big year for LuminAID and for us as entrepreneurs and inventors. We are excited to come out with this new product line that extends on our technology, and can't wait to see it in stores soon!" said LuminAID Co-Founder Andrea Sreshta.
The new lineup consists of the following lanterns:
LuminAID PackLite Nova
The PackLite Nova is the next generation of LuminAID’s award-winning PackLite 12 collapsible solar lantern. It weighs only 4 oz, and is 4.65” wide x 4.75” high. The lantern compresses flat to under 3/4" thick. It offers 75 Lumens on it’s highest setting and provides 24 hours of LED light on a single charge. The PackLite Nova charges in 10 hours of sunlight and requires no additional batteries. The PackLite Nova has a 4-level charge indicator and adjustable strap for hanging. Due to its unique expandable design, the PackLite Nova is waterproof and dust-proof (IP67 rated), and floats in water. Given its high performance but compact size, the PackLite Nova makes an ideal light for everyday use, home and garden, campsites, backyards and emergency kits.
LuminAID PackLite Spectra
LuminAID is also releasing an updated version of the family favorite PackLite Spectra color-changing solar lantern with 9 light modes, including 7 solid colors, white, and a multi-color rainbow fade. The new and improved light is only 4 oz, and expands to 4.65” wide x 4.75” high. This ultralight lantern packs flat down to less than 3/4" thick. The PackLite Spectra is waterproof and dust-proof (IP67 rated), and floats in water. With its high performance battery, the PackLite Spectra lasts for 8-12 hours at full charge. The PackLite Spectra also charges in 10 hours of sunlight and requires no additional batteries. The PackLite Spectra brightens up any poolside party and makes a great accessory for outdoor concerts and festivals.
LuminAID PackLite Max
Waterproof, 4 times the size of the original PackLite 12 and significantly more powerful, the PackLite Max is the next big thing in solar inflatable lights. The PackLite Max is a powerhouse, at 6.8 oz, 5.8” wide x 6” high. It offers 150 Lumens on its highest setting, and lasts up to 50 hours per charge. The lantern packs flat to under 3/4" thick. The PackLite Max has a 4-level charge indicator and adjustable strap for hanging, as well as a USB charge port. The PackLite Max fully charges in 1.5 hours with the USB and 12 hours in the sun. This high-performance solar lantern is also waterproof and dust-proof (IP67 rated), and floats in water. Given the PackLite Max’s dual solar and USB-charging capabilities, it is an ideal lantern for family and RV campers.
The company will continue to offer it’s PackLite 16 lantern, which is LuminAID’s flagship product for use in disaster relief aid and has been used in more than 70 countries around the world. The new line of PackLite lanterns are bigger and brighter than previous lanterns by LuminAID. Nonetheless, they maintain their smart light-weight design. In addition to the new line, LuminAID has plans to expand upon programs for custom co-branded and printed lights. The company will offer limited edition selections like the camouflage-printed PackLite Renegade, launched earlier this year. The new products will be available for pre-order this fall, and available to consumers online in time for the holiday season.
About LuminAID
LuminAID develops innovative, solar-powered products for humanitarian relief aid and outdoor recreation. The company’s first product, the patented LuminAID light, is a solar-powered, inflatable lamp that packs flat and inflates to create a lightweight, waterproof lantern suitable for outdoor recreation and emergency situations. Anna Stork and Andrea Sreshta, co-founders of the company, invented the inflatable solar lights in response to the 2010 earthquake in Haiti while they were graduate students at Columbia University. LuminAID lights have been sold to individuals in more than 70 different countries, and outreach projects with NGO partners have put more than 15,000 donated lights on-the-ground in more than 50 countries including Haiti, Nepal and the Philippines. LuminAID has supplied its lights to Shelterbox, Doctors Without Borders, and several organizations in the United Nations for distribution on the ground after disasters and in refugee camps. Most recently, LuminAID lights have been used by Syrian refugees in camps across the Middle East and Europe. LuminAID lights, which can be used for personal enjoyment as well as home emergency preparedness, are available for purchase at select retailers including The Container Store, the L.L Bean Catalog, and Amazon.com. LuminAID was featured on ABC's Shark Tank, received offers from all five "sharks," and made a deal with the billionaire investor Mark Cuban.
Visit: http://www.luminaid.com
Follow LuminAID on Twitter and YouTube @LuminAIDLab, Facebook http://www.fb.com/luminaid, and Instagram @luminaid
Samantha Chiang, LuminAID, http://www.luminaid.com, +1 (312) 600-8997, [email protected]
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