Ekster's founding story
How we became the world’s #1 rated smart wallet brand.
It all started with a simple question…
Why are people still carrying fat leather bifold wallets?
Back in 2015, we were just two 22-year-old Dutch guys (Olivier and Rick) living in the U.S. on a Fulbright scholarship.
Between classes and coffee-fueled rants about how our wallets felt like bricks in our pockets, we met Richard Canneman, who had a proven track record of starting successful businesses. The three of us kept circling the same question:
What would a wallet designed for the 21st century look like?
Bulky bifolds that cause back pain, overstuffed pockets that bulge, and zero credit card security would all need to change.
The brainstorming began
We started from scratch to create a wallet that fits how people actually live now: fast-paced, tech-connected, and streamlined.
Eventually, we landed on a concept. A slim, card-focused wallet with a click-to-access mechanism and built-in RFID protection.
No excess. No folding. Just what you need, when you need it, with an added layer of security.
But we didn’t know if anyone else felt the same.
So we took it to Kickstarter
We hit our funding goal in a matter of hours. Then we passed it. Then we passed it again.
It turned out we weren’t alone. Thousands of people around the world were also ready for something better in their pockets.
That’s when we started Ekster.
Finally, the trackable wallet was born
We didn’t stop at a slimmer, faster wallet. We made it more secure than ever by tackling one of the biggest problems with wallets in general: losing them.
First, we developed a solar-powered tracker card, one of the first of its kind. Roughly the size of a credit card and powered by sunlight, it was the solution people had been craving.
Fast forward a few years, and we reached out to Apple to partner up and create the Finder Card. It’s an even slimmer rechargeable tracker card that works with Apple’s Find My network.
Our lineup continues to grow
Ekster has expanded from smart wallets to developing compact key holders with trackers, award-winning travel bags and accessories, and even modular add-ons for all our smart wallets.
Our latest innovation is the TravelPack Vacuum Kit. A compression kit that saves 60% of space in your travel bag with airtight vacuum seal bags and a portable air pump.
Where we are today
We’re a proud B Corporation, meaning we adhere to strict sustainability guidelines to create a better future for people and our planet.
Ekster has grown to 45+ team members, 11 countries, over 1 million customers – but the mission is still the same: Make better gear to speed up your day.
Because the less time you waste on the small stuff, the more you have for what really matters. And that, to us, is what smart carry is all about.
We sell out fast
With over 1 million happy customers, 50,000+ 5-star reviews, and Forbes, Business Insider, WIRED, and CNET (to name but a few) calling Ekster the “best smart wallet” for years on end, we have become the world’s top-rated and bestselling smart wallet brand.
Our products sell out fast, so if you’re looking for innovative gear specifically designed to improve your day, don’t wait.
