Shawn from Metrazi: Revolutionising Off-Grid Connections

Shawn’s inspiration for Metrazi sparked at Coachella 2022, the first festival after the COVID pandemic hiatus.

He recalls, “At festivals, once you leave your group to go to the bathroom, refill water, or grab a beer, you often end up on a solo adventure for the rest of the night.” The unreliable cell service at crowded events made it nearly impossible to reconnect with friends.

This frustration led to the creation of Flare, a device designed to keep friends connected off the grid.

What is Flare?

Flare provides real-time location sharing and text messaging without the need for cellular or Wi-Fi, covering up to three miles.

“With a state-of-the-art digital radio and dedicated GPS, Flare automatically shares your location with paired devices,” says Shawn. The locations are displayed on a map in the Flare smartphone app, available for both iOS and Android, and users can send and receive text messages over the onboard radio.

Flare’s utility extends beyond festivals. “On the ski slopes, it helps us keep track of our speed demons and more cautious skiers,” Shawn notes. “In motocross, pit crews can use it to track racers, and worried parents can see where their kids are while they’re out on ATVs.”

Flare offers a reliable way for outdoor enthusiasts to stay connected in areas with limited cell service.

Finding the Target Market

Targeted at adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts, Flare is perfect for off-roaders, boaters, motocross riders, snow sports lovers, hikers, and festival goers.

Shawn shares that Metrazi is launching a Kickstarter campaign in late August, with delivery expected by February 2025. To reach their audience, Metrazi has relied on word-of-mouth and demonstrations.

“Our friends in the snow sports, motocross, and off-road communities have been using Flare and showing how it keeps their groups connected throughout the day,” he adds.

Bootstrapping and Beyond

Funding has been Metrazi’s biggest challenge.

The journey from idea to workable product required extensive research, testing, and development, all funded out of pocket.

“We had to ensure Flare met our specifications for range, accuracy, and battery life,” Shawn explains. Now that Flare is ready for the market, Metrazi is seeking crowdfunding on Kickstarter to secure the necessary funds for a wider release.

To date, Metrazi has been funded through bootstrapping. “This allows us to maintain control and ensure we’re delivering a top-of-the-line product,” says Shawn. However, as demand grows, external investment will be needed to scale effectively.

“Our goal is to enhance the outdoor experience by continuously improving Flare based on user feedback,” Shawn states.

Metrazi plans to implement new features through over-the-air software and firmware updates. “If certain features can’t be added to the current device, we’ll strive to include them in future versions,” he says, ensuring that Flare remains a valuable tool for outdoor enthusiasts.

You can find out more about Flare at metrazi.com.