Get All Access for $5/mo

Crowdfunded Smart Home Device Canary Lands at Big-Name Stores Canary has officially completed the journey from crowdfunding platform to mainstream retailers.

By Carly Okyle

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Canary

Smart home security system Canary has flown into big-box retailers.

The system made waves on the crowdfunding site Indiegogo in the summer of 2013. It quickly surpassed the initial fundraising goal of $100,000, raising more than $1,900,000 by the end of the funding period. (It later went on to raise an additional $10 million in Series A funding.)

While exceeding your crowdfunding goal and scoring a lot of cash is nothing to bat an eye at, what makes this startup unique is the fact it even made it onto the shelves of Best Buy, Amazon, Home Depot and Verizon Wireless. With competition fierce, landing limited retail space isn't easy, especially if you are a small company. But apparently having so much interest and a known product-market fit, helped Canary get noticed by the big guns.

Related: These High-Tech High Heels Change Color With the Click of an App

The system retails for $249 and with that, you get a whole lot of features.

The cylindrical device has a high-definition video camera, a microphone, night vision and sensors that can detect changes in the house. Canary connects with Android and iOS smartphones, so you can see the video feed of your home in real time. It also sends alerts when it registers discrepancies like an unfamiliar motion or sound (perhaps an intruder) or a change in temperature and air quality (perhaps a fire). As Canary becomes more familiar with what's typical for your house, it will send more appropriate alerts.

Those who are already using the device as beta testers reportedly check the app approximately four times a day and watch nearly an hour of live video per month, the company said in a statement.

U.S. retail stores are just the beginning, as Canary plans on expanding its wings to the global market later this year.

Related: Avoiding the 'Inevitable' Breach: 4 Ways Retailers Should Amp Up Security

Carly Okyle

Assistant Editor, Contributed Content

Carly Okyle is an assistant editor for contributed content at Entrepreneur.com.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business News

Is One Company to Blame for Soaring Rental Prices in the U.S.?

The FBI recently raided a major corporate landlord while investigating a rent price-fixing scheme. Here's what we know.

Side Hustle

This Former Starbucks Employee Started a Side Hustle That's Making More Than $70,000 a Month — and He's Not Done Yet

When Tom Saar moved to New York City, he spotted a lucrative business opportunity.

Business News

Microsoft Reportedly Lays Off Over 1,500 Employees in Cloud Sector as Partnership with OpenAI Strengthens

Alphabet also reportedly laid off employees from several teams in Google's cloud unit last week.

Green Entrepreneur®

Why You Need a Contribution Mindset to Thrive in 2024 and Beyond

How to set yourself and your business up for long-term success.

Side Hustle

10 Online Side Hustles Proven to Boost Your Bank Account

Even the busiest schedules can accommodate finding a precious few hours to create a profitable online venture — something that many are already mastering.