Securing smartphones

CUTTING TO THE CHASE: A problem with dropping his smartphone led Lukas Scheurer to design a new way to secure any phone, and a local grant allowed him to buy a laser cutter to build the product the right way. / PBN PHOTO/TRACY JENKINS
CUTTING TO THE CHASE: A problem with dropping his smartphone led Lukas Scheurer to design a new way to secure any phone, and a local grant allowed him to buy a laser cutter to build the product the right way. / PBN PHOTO/TRACY JENKINS

When Lukas Scheurer, a Vermont native, was an industrial design student at the Rhode Island School of Design, he was always dropping his smartphone, breaking vital tools, like the camera and glass screen, he frequently used to document the progress of his creative output.

“As a design student, smartphones are an object we interact with all the time,” said Scheurer. So he wanted to find a smartphone attachment that would help secure his phone. But nothing Scheurer found truly fit the bill. So using a 3-D printer, he designed a prototype to help meet his needs.

Quickly, it was incredibly popular among Scheurer’s friends, and in 2014 he decided to launch Linkmount Systems, a multifunctional set of smartphone attachments that allow the user mobility and security, and market it to the general public.

A Kickstarter campaign designed to raise $35,000 ensued, generating $206,000 in 60 days. In its first year of business, Linkmount sold out all 7,000 units Scheurer had in stock.

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Following that commercial success, Scheurer found more sources of capital. In January 2016, Scheurer was named the recipient of a $35,000 Providence Design Catalyst grant.

“It was an amazing experience and not just for the funding, but the mentorship was great. DESIGNxRI brought together these great workshops, and we learned a lot from people who donated their time to helping us,” said Scheurer.

“The monetary aspect was extremely helpful as well,” said Scheurer, which allowed the production process to resume after the company was able to purchase a laser cutter with the funding provided by the grant program.

“One of the components of the Linkmount is extremely expensive, but there isn’t another way to make it.”

Scheurer said it was a conscious decision to have all Linkmount Systems parts made in the United States. “I wanted to learn the process of how Linkmount is made and not be so disconnected,” he said of his interest in knowing the manufacturers who bring his designs to life.

One major obstacle Scheurer faces is post-Kickstarter marketing. As a small business owner with only two years under his belt, Scheurer said his biggest concern is maintaining such a high level of interest on a relatively small budget.

“My challenge going forward is to keep people excited about it using innovative and grassroots style marketing – encouraging word of mouth to get the product out there.”

Scheurer said that the decision to stay in Providence after his 2013 graduation and his receipt of the grant helped drive the evolution of Linkmount Systems: “I love Providence, and I love being here in the entrepreneur and arts community. … Going forward you will see some new products coming out for smartphones and tablets – within this year.” •

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