Phorce, The World’s First Smart Computer Bag, Surpasses Kickstarter Funding Target In Under Two Weeks

A new computer case design that it being heralded as “the world’s first smart bag,” attracted its first $120,000 of Kickstarter funding in just five days and surpassed its final $150,000 goal in under two weeks.

Phorce is designed to power all of your mobile devices, transform into 3 separate types of bags, and connect you to your bag through an app.

An introductory video can be found at:
http://www.vimeo.com/53441058

The Phorce Kickstarter campaign page is here:
http://goo.gl/FIpjY

Phorce founder Marijn Berk is an established Amsterdam-based entrepreneur specializing in consumer electronics, nanotechnology and portable power. He is a former Kauffman Foundation scholar, recipient of a Startup Chile grant, and was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year in his home country. His previous company created solar chargers that enabled off-grid consumers in the developing world to charge their mobile phones. Marijn also has an interesting background story. He’s a former high school dropout who turned his life around in order to become the entrepreneur that he is today.

Phorce’s innovative approach to computer bag design includes:

Power –
Phorce charges smartphones, tablets, iPods, cameras, speakers, headphones, and anything that is powered using a USB connection. The bag includes 3 USB connections, 2 high speed ports and 1 super high-speed port. Additionally, the Phorce for Mac can power a MacBook for up to 7 extra hours.

Connect –
The bag comes with an Android and iOS based application that can connect a smartphone to the Phorce bag via Bluetooth. This app gauges the bag’s remaining power through an intuitive on-screen graphics display. Additionally, this feature sends a notification to the phone if the bag is left behind.

Transform –
Phorce can transform from a messenger bag, to a backpack, to a briefcase in a matter of seconds, with no additional equipment needed. The Phorce bag has a special opening that allows it to slide over the (telescopic) handles of a trolley bag. The bag is compact and light-weight at just 3.7 lb, but can transform into a bigger bag, with an expansion zipper that gives the user 240 cubic inches of extra space.

Mr. Berk and collaborator James Jeffrey, a designer with over 10 years of experience in the bag industry had aimed was to raise $150,000 through their Kickstarter project so that Phorce could be released internationally. They raised $180,000 in the campaign’s final week.

“Unfortunately bags haven’t changed much over time, so they’re a little outdated, especially for the entrepreneur, business owner, or seasoned traveler. Its time to completely reimagine and reinvent the bag,” says Marijn Berk. “We have designed the first smart bag in the world that meets the multiple needs of today’s on-the-go, always digitally connected person. A bag that can talk to your smartphone, that can easily transform to meet your needs, and that can power up all of your devices.”

While traveling around the world for his startups, jobs, meetings and during his pilgrimage to a tech accelerator program thousands of miles away from home, Startup Chile, Mr. Berk observed that many users experienced great difficulty carrying tech equipment and being connected while traveling extensively in the air and on the ground. What he came up with as a solution a bag for the mobile age and the digital entrepreneur that doesn’t sacrifice style.

A Triple Threat: Powers, Transforms, Connects

Other bags have attempted to power mobile devices, but typically have a very low battery capacity – which means you have to charge them every day. Some brands have bags that can transform in shape, but their efforts always sacrifice the design. Phorce claims to also be the first bag ever that can communicate with your smartphone, and that monitors power and the bag’s location for you through an app.

“Phorce doesn’t just introduce a range of innovative new features, but it does it right. We also combined the best features found in other bags, and actually optimized them,” says Berk. “Phorce’s patent-pending technology is beautifully integrated, so it powers, transforms and connects seamlessly. It’s a more advanced, useful, and better-designed bag, making it a complete triple threat in the bag industry.”

Phorce comes in the colors black, red, and green and weighs just 3.7lbs.

Charge all your devices –
Phorce charges smartphones, tablets, iPods, cameras, speakers, headphones, and anything that is powered using a USB connection. The bag includes 3 USB connections, 2 high speed ports and 1 super high-speed port. Additionally, as noted above, Phorce for Mac can power a MacBook for up to 7 extra hours. Phorce also comes with an efficient cable management system that keeps your charging cables safe and out of the way.

Talk to your bag, don’t leave it behind –
Additionally, the bag comes with an Android and iOS based application that allows you to talk to your bag by connecting your phone to your Phorce bag via Bluetooth. This app lets you gauge the power thats left in your device through an intuitive graphics display on your screen that also shows you the exact number of remaining charges for all your devices. Additionally, this feature sends a notification to your phone if you leave your bag behind, so you can quickly run back to grab it.

Leave your multiple bags at home –
Whether you’re at a meeting and need a briefcase, carry heavy items and need a backpack, or need your hands free to ride your bike to work, Phorce can transform from a messenger bag, to a backpack, to a briefcase in a matter of seconds, with no additional equipment needed. At the airport, the Phorce bag has a special opening that allows it to slide over the telescopic handles of your trolley bag, making it easy to get to the gate on time. The bag is compact and lightweight, but can transform into a bigger bag thanks to its expansion zipper that gives you 240 cubic inches of extra space.

Keep your devices safe and clean –
The bag includes protective padding, is skinned with a custom-made water-resistant fabric, and has waterproof zippers to protect your gear from shocks, drop and rain. A special fabric inside the pockets helps clean your devices for fingerprint-free displays.

For more information, visit:
http://goo.gl/5Ekn1

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