Chattanooga start-up raises $1.3 million pre-seed round
It comes after Totem received more than $1.5 million in verified pre-orders for its Totem Compass device.
Valentine’s Day came early for a Chattanooga start-up.
Totem, the company known for its viral debut product called the Totem Compass, announced on Thursday that it has closed a pre-seed funding round, raising $1.3 million from a group of assorted angel investors from around the world. This capital will play a critical role for the company as it scales production capabilities, supply chain, and the internal team to meet the global demand that has surfaced for its friend-finding compass.
The Totem Compass is a peer-to-peer tracking device for consumers with incredibly precise, real-time location updates. The device is 100 percent screen-free and designed to work without cellular networks, Wi-Fi, or apps. Powered by Totem’s proprietary Unity Mesh Network™ and advanced GNSS technology, it also features SOS functionality, ensuring users can stay effortlessly connected with a reliable range, unbreakable bonds, and a simple, intuitive interface.
Garnering more than 125 million organic views across social platforms in 2024 alone, Totem has quickly become a dominant force in the ever-growing festival technology market. After achieving more than $1.5 million in verified pre-orders, Totem Compass rollout began in October 2024, and the company has since shipped more than 20,000 units to customers in more than 60 countries around the world.
In addition to the “friend-finding compass for festivals,” Totem is developing a companion product for the festival compass that will be revealed in March, as well as a suite of accessories for users to personalize their devices. With substantial investment interest building, Totem has plans for a Seed Round in Q2 of 2025, coming alongside future product details.
“We are immensely grateful to have the support of so many incredible investors with deep subject matter expertise,” said Carter Fowler, Totem Chief Executive Officer. “This pre-seed round serves as further evidence that Totem is not just a company—it is a movement that unites people around the world. This capital will be essential for us as we seek to build one of the world’s greatest event tech companies.”
Available now, the Totem Compass pricing starts at $69 per device, with discounted options for wholesale orders. For more information and to order now, visit totemlabs.com/order.
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