Whirlscape created Minuum, a software keyboard that reduces occupied screen real estate to a single line and works across smartphones, wearables and devices without screens. The company launched a Minuum beta last year and later released the keyboard as a paid app on Google Play. Its 10-person team has demonstrated the software on traditional hardware and on emerging devices such as the Samsung Galaxy Gear. Whirlscape also ran an Indiegogo campaign that raised $87,354—nearly nine times its $10,000 goal. The company is working with a number of wearable device partners, including a couple of smartwatches and devices beyond smartwatches. Whirlscape plans to focus on growing its Android user base and engagement ahead of YC demo day in March, after which it expects to bring on additional talent. Whirlscape builds Minuum, a minimalist software keyboard that compresses a QWERTY layout into a compact input. The keyboard relies on imprecise taps plus word suggestions and gestures to cycle suggestions and switch modes (all-caps, numeric), and omits a default space bar to minimize footprint. Whirlscape launched a beta Android app and is distributing it to Indiegogo backers while accepting additional tester sign-ups at Minuum.com. The company raised $87,000 via an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign and will send the beta to nearly 10,000 supporters. Having surpassed its funding goal, Whirlscape plans to issue a “wearable development kit” by year-end to enable Minuum on devices like Thalmic’s MYO and the Leap Motion Controller. The product targets both touchscreen smartphones and emerging wearable/motion-input hardware as a cross-device input method.

Total raised

$1M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Seed

Latest activity

Feb 2014