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§ Private Profile · New York City, NY, USA
Develops smart luggage with app-enabled remote locking, tracking, and battery charging for the travel market.
Bluesmart has raised $18.0M across 2 funding rounds.
Key people at Bluesmart.
Bluesmart was founded in 2013 by Alejo Verlini (Founder/CPO).
Bluesmart has raised $18.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Bluesmart is a New York, New York-based technology company that develops smart luggage and connected travel accessories powered by a proprietary mobile application. The company's hardware integrates directly with consumer smartphones to provide advanced digital features, including remote locking mechanisms, global location tracking, and built-in battery charging capabilities. Operating within the consumer travel gear sector, the enterprise designs products intended to provide frequent flyers with enhanced convenience and security during transit. The hardware manufacturer scaled its corporate infrastructure to support a workforce of 51 employees. The business initially gained market traction through the crowdfunding platform Indiegogo, secured institutional backing from the startup accelerator Y Combinator, and eventually sold its intellectual property to the luggage brand Travelpro. The organization was established in 2014 by founding team members Alejo Verlini, Diego Saez Gil, Tomi Pierucci, and Martin Diz.
Bluesmart was founded in 2013 by Alejo Verlini (Founder/CPO).
Bluesmart has raised $18.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Bluesmart's investors include Amadeus Capital Partners, Endeavor Catalyst, Nazca Ventures, Gil Penchina, XG Ventures, Y Combinator, Marcos Galperin, oliver holle, .406 Ventures, AllegisCyber Capital, Ambridge Capital, Brkfst Club.
Bluesmart was a pioneering smart luggage company that developed app-powered suitcases designed to empower travelers with enhanced control and security. Their flagship product, the Bluesmart Carry-on, integrated features such as remote locking, GPS tracking, and device charging, targeting frequent travelers who face common issues like lost or delayed luggage. The company gained rapid growth momentum through a highly successful Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign in 2014, raising over $2.2 million from more than 8,000 backers worldwide, and earned accolades from Forbes, Fast Company, and the BBC for innovation and design[1][4][5].
Founded in 2013 by Argentine entrepreneurs Diego Saez Gil, Alejo Verlini, and Tomi Pierucci, Bluesmart emerged from a personal frustration with lost luggage experienced by Saez Gil during a holiday trip. This inspired the team to create the first smart connected luggage, combining hardware and software innovation. Early traction was marked by record-breaking crowdfunding success and acceptance into the prestigious Y Combinator accelerator in Silicon Valley in 2015. The company operated globally with headquarters in New York and offices in Argentina, China, and Hong Kong, focusing on manufacturing and customer support[1][2][5].
Bluesmart rode the wave of the Internet of Things (IoT) trend by embedding connectivity into everyday travel products, addressing a long-standing pain point in the luggage industry that had seen little innovation beyond wheels. The timing was critical as mobile app ecosystems and IoT hardware matured, enabling seamless integration of smart features into luggage. Their approach influenced the broader travel and hardware startup ecosystem by demonstrating how traditional products could be transformed through technology, inspiring new entrants in smart travel gear and connected devices[1][2][5].
Despite early success and innovation, Bluesmart ceased operations in 2018 due to regulatory challenges, specifically a ban by major US airlines on smart luggage with non-removable batteries. Their intellectual property was acquired by Travelpro, and Bluesmart products are no longer supported[5]. Looking forward, the smart luggage concept remains promising as battery and airline regulations evolve, and consumer demand for connected travel solutions grows. The legacy of Bluesmart lies in its pioneering role, which set the stage for future innovations in smart travel technology and IoT-enabled consumer products.
Bluesmart’s journey from a personal travel frustration to a globally recognized smart luggage brand exemplifies how technology can redefine traditional industries, even as regulatory and operational hurdles shape the path forward.
Bluesmart has raised $18.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $12.0M Series A in January 2017.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2017 | $12M Series A | — | Amadeus Capital Partners, Endeavor Catalyst, Nazca Ventures, GIL Penchina, XG Ventures, Y Combinator, Marcos Galperin, Oliver Holle | Announced |
| Oct 1, 2015 | $6M Seed | — | .406 Ventures, AllegisCyber Capital, Ambridge Capital, Brkfst Club, DN Capital, Endeavor Catalyst, Evolution Equity Partners, FJ Labs, Raine Ventures, Ridge Ventures, Eytan Elbaz | Announced |
Key people at Bluesmart.