Each week in the New Tech Newsletter we feature a Spotlight Q&A with founders, angels, New Tech alumni presenters, and other people or companies in our community we believe you’d like to learn about. Reach out if you’d like to recommend a startup, founder, angel, accelerator, or New Tech alumni presenter for us to spotlight for the PNW tech community!
In this week’s spotlight we caught up with Ray King, Co-Founder of Applied Sensor Corp (ASC).
Join ASC’s Smart Mat Kickstarter
Why do you do what you do for a living?
As a co-founder of a smart textiles company, my passion lies in crafting comfortable sensors for everyday fabrics. The potential of smart textiles is vast – from offering personal health insights, to enhancing building energy efficiency, to home automation – all while maintaining the comfort we love in our textiles. The excitement of pioneering in this field drives me every day.
Why did you start your company?
The inception of ASC (Applied Sensor Corp) was a serendipitous meeting with my incredibly talented co-founder. We found our visions and aspirations for the future of smart textiles aligned perfectly. Together, we realized we could significantly advance the field and make a real impact in the smart textile space.
What is the most innovative way your tech solves the problems of your customers?
Our approach is rooted in versatility and innovation. Through Technical Embroidery, we create sensors that are not only flexible and durable but also comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. This unique blend allows us to address issues that other fields haven’t yet been able to tackle. Our current Kickstarter smart floor mat is solving accessibility and home automation problems in ways we could not have imagined ourselves!
What do you like about NTNW and what does this community mean to you?
NTNW has been an incredible pillar for me. The welcoming atmosphere and the sense of belonging I felt from my first event have been invaluable. As an entrepreneur, the journey can be challenging, but NTNW has provided essential networking opportunities and moral support.
Is there any funny story or specific moment that sparked you to start this company?
The catalyst was a rather sobering experience of being laid off unexpectedly. That moment was a stark reminder of the precarious nature of roles in large corporations. Although not a funny story, it was a turning point, and meeting the right co-founder transformed the idea of starting a company from a mere dream into a tangible reality.
Reach out if you’d like to recommend a startup, founder, angel, accelerator, or New Tech alumni presenter for us to spotlight for the PNW tech community!
