Kekz builds its headphones for preschool children and aims to enable them to control what they listen to using a special control system. Children can attach magnetic chips to the side of the headphones, which activate the desired audio content stored on the headphones. The chips themselves display the associated content with a large illustration—for example, a picture of Tabaluga—so the child can easily select what they want to listen to. This makes the system independent of a connection to a smartphone, tablet, or other device with a screen. Internet access is also not required.
“Kekz was inspired by our own everyday life with children,”
explained Carl Taylor, founder of Kekz. The former product manager at Sony Music Entertainment has Startup founded this year together with industrial designer Adin Mumma.
“We are all the more proud to have Peter Maffay on board, not only as a strategically strong partner, but also as someone with decades of experience, countless successes and a great passion for children’s entertainment.”
Adin Mumma, co-founder of Kekz and designer of the headphones, continues:
"We also want child-friendly entertainment for our children that they can control themselves. With Kekz, we've found the perfect solution for travel entertainment, which we initially want to make available to families in German-speaking countries. We couldn't imagine a better partner for this."
Entertainment almost like analogue times
Also Peter Maffay, who is now supporting the startup with an undisclosed sum, contacts and know-how, is looking forward to the future collaboration:
"Kekz solves a problem that probably every family traveling with children is familiar with. The idea of a distraction-free entertainment option that almost evokes analog times immediately excited us. I'm very much looking forward to working with Carl and Adin."
Series production of the headphones, which won the German Design Award in Gold, is scheduled to begin in early 2021. The market launch is planned for spring of next year. By then, approximately 1,000 albums will be available on the device.
