Octa is making holding a tablet easier and better. Its WhaleTails and MonkeyTails attach to an iPad via a Vacuum Dock that can snugly grip to a surface for days with only a few pumps. The company was co-founded by the CEO/COO couple of Kevin Prometheus Trotsky and Nikki Braziel in 2010 and has been shipping product since 2012. They raised over $100,000 on Kickstarter to launch the MonkeyTail in May.
Confluence caught up with Braziel recently for a Q&A for
Denver Startup Week.
What's the latest news at Octa?
We have high expectations for the MonkeyTail for Christmas. We have some great retailer partners like Plow & Hearth and Fab. We're launching in Europe in October.
We have the first product of our next tablet tail line in development. I can't tell you any more about it. It's not available until early 2014.
The other big news is we're pushing an MSRP change. The MonkeyTail kit will be $69.99 instead of $99.98. The WhaleTail kit will be $39.99.
What's your perspective on the Denver startup community?
Pro and I are both really excited to discover the depths of talent in Denver. We've been working in a bit of isolation since starting the company, and only recently did we learn how many startups were working in the community, and working hard. We found out about StartupDenver and the Rockies Venture Club and became aware of a lot of startups in Denver through that.
What are some of your favorite places in Denver?
I'm pretty hooked on Crema. They make coffee in a French press. Both Pro and I are hooked on City O' City's breakfast burritos -- we live on Capitol Hill. We love Linger. We love Root Down.
And we love RiNo -- we love the views of the mountains and the city.
Hobbies outside of Octa?
I've been working on a novel for the past four years. It's historical fiction, set in New Orleans in 1897. It will be done in the next two years.
I've taken a lot of workshops with Lighthouse Writers Workshop. It's so wonderful to go into this warm, old Victorian house and connect with people who are so passionate about writing.
Contact Confluence Denver Innovation & Jobs News Editor Eric Peterson with tips and leads for future stories at eric@confluence-denver.com.
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