Apple CEO Tim Cook is one of the early investors in a new Nebia shower head that just launched on Kickstarter, reports Bloomberg.
It's rare for the Apple CEO to back products from outside companies but after using a prototype at a local gym, he made an exception.
Philip Winter moved to San Francisco in 2014 to promote his shower head design that uses less water but still keeps people warm. He convinced gyms in Silicon Valley to run pilot tests and waited outside locker rooms to get feedback from members.
Cook happened to use an early version at the gym in Palo Alto where he works out most mornings. He was drawn to the environmental aspect, despite the first prototype being 'crude'. After backing Nebia Inc. about five years ago he also contributed to later financing rounds. In total, it's estimated that Nebia Inc. raised about 8 million. While Cook's total investment amount wasn't disclosed it's said to be 'significant'.
Winter said Cook also offered some advice on suppliers and pushed the startup to prioritize user experience, design and sustainability. “His emails are very long, well crafted and detailed,” said Winter.
More recently, Nebia considered four partnerships to develop an improved version of the shower head that is smaller and cheaper. Cook wasn't for three of them but supported a deal with Moen due to the company's reputation.
The new Nebia by Moen shower head is available on Kickstarter now for $160. It will retail at $199.
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It's rare for the Apple CEO to back products from outside companies but after using a prototype at a local gym, he made an exception.
Philip Winter moved to San Francisco in 2014 to promote his shower head design that uses less water but still keeps people warm. He convinced gyms in Silicon Valley to run pilot tests and waited outside locker rooms to get feedback from members.
Cook happened to use an early version at the gym in Palo Alto where he works out most mornings. He was drawn to the environmental aspect, despite the first prototype being 'crude'. After backing Nebia Inc. about five years ago he also contributed to later financing rounds. In total, it's estimated that Nebia Inc. raised about 8 million. While Cook's total investment amount wasn't disclosed it's said to be 'significant'.
Winter said Cook also offered some advice on suppliers and pushed the startup to prioritize user experience, design and sustainability. “His emails are very long, well crafted and detailed,” said Winter.
More recently, Nebia considered four partnerships to develop an improved version of the shower head that is smaller and cheaper. Cook wasn't for three of them but supported a deal with Moen due to the company's reputation.
The new Nebia by Moen shower head is available on Kickstarter now for $160. It will retail at $199.
Read More