CHARLOTTE — Vergennes resident Doug Hartwell this week will introduce the first product of his new company, Bitybean, at a trade show in Louisville, Ky.
On Oct. 14-17, the Charlotte-based startup company will launch its simple, lightweight baby carrier at the All Baby and Child Expo in Louisville. The carrier is a finalist for a Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association 2012 Innovation award at the show.
Bitybean was founded by Hartwell, a first-time entrepreneur, earlier this year and is based on his concept of marrying a simple child carrier design with lightweight and compressible bag/backpack technology.
“As my daughter Bella was learning to walk we were always on the go and I longed for a portable accessory that we could have on hand for those just in case moments when her little legs got too tired,” Harwell explained in a press release. Early this year he teamed up with technical softgoods design expert Jim Sadler of Huntington, and the two began building and refining prototypes.
“We now have a concept that is an optimized balance of comfort, portability, and style,” Harwell said.
The current Bitybean incorporates the latest in backpack hardware and fabric technology and rolls up into a small sack about the size of a small bottle of water.
Hartwell resigned from his 15-year career in program management and business development in the defense industry to pursue Bitybean, which he said has been very well received by the retail community. He describes Bitybean as miniscule compared to most other soft-sided child carriers and is half the size, and weights 35 percent less than its closest competitor. Bitybean will carry an infant as small as 8 pounds up to a 40-pound child, and is convertible for both front and back carry.
More information is at www.bitybean.com.