Harbor, a company focused on advancing infant care technology, has announced U.S. wide shipping of its smart baby monitor system alongside securing $7 million in seed funding. The funding round was led by Trust Ventures and included notable investors such as Tim Ferriss, retired tennis player John Isner, NFL punter Thomas Morstead, and comedian Trey Kennedy, who will also serve as Harbor’s “Chief Dad Officer.”
Harbor’s smart baby monitor stands out in a market dominated by products reliant on internet connections and apps, which are often unreliable. The Harbor system features a dedicated 10-inch high-resolution monitor that operates independently of the internet but can connect to the cloud when needed. This ensures parents maintain continuous monitoring of their children, even in the event of power outages or app crashes. The smart baby monitor system also features encrypted data storage, customized caregiver access, and services such as Remote Night Nannies and Lactation Consultants.
Tim Ferriss, a prominent investor, commented: “I see extraordinary potential in Harbor, which is why I invested much more than is typical for my early-stage angel investing. There is a large market for a simple, smooth, and — under the hood — sophisticated solution. I’ve seen Kevin [Lavelle] build great brands before, and he’ll also bring his refined playbook to a great product.”
Harbor’s features are designed with parents in mind, offering a high-quality camera that streams up to 2K resolution, smart audio controls for motion and noise alerts, and the ability to monitor up to four camera feeds on a single device. The system also allows parents to receive haptic alerts through devices like the Apple Watch, offering a quieter alternative to traditional audio notifications.
The idea for Harbor was sparked by co-founder and CEO Kevin Lavelle’s experience with an unreliable app-based system. After waking up one morning to discover his son had gone unmonitored due to an app crash, Lavelle partnered with Chief Product Officer Charlie Hill to create a more secure and reliable alternative.
“We built Harbor because we were frustrated with products that overpromised and underdelivered when it came to safety and usability,” Lavelle explained. “This new funding allows us to fulfill all the pre-orders from parents who have been eagerly waiting for a solution they can trust to safeguard their little ones while providing the peace of mind they deserve.”
