ASPEN, CO, September 12, 2024 - Barton Venture Capital (“Barton VC”) announced today that it has completed an initial investment in WAVE Drowning Prevention Systems ("WAVE"), a leading provider of swimmer safety systems. Chris Barton, founder and Managing Partner of Barton VC will join WAVE's Board of Advisors and with an Observer role to the Board of Directors to help steer the company's strategic growth.
"The investment in WAVE represents a very personal initiative for Barton VC having lost a family member to a drowning accident. When I met with WAVE CEO, Mark Caron, over two years ago, we spent a weekend reviewing the equipment, the strategy, and the future needs of the WAVE business. Barton VC has analyzed many potential investments in the aquatics life safety industry since its founding. I was immediately impressed with Mark's vision, passion, prior accomplishments as an executive, and the cost-effective technology solution he and WAVE had developed. We wish to help make aquatics life safety systems in pools and lakes as commonplace as the smoke alarm is in all residential and commercial buildings," said Chris Barton.
“It’s great to have Chris’ support and guidance as we continue to expand WAVE’s impact on drowning," said WAVE Co-Founder and CEO, Mark Caron. "As a very successful technology entrepreneur with a decades-long commitment to finding a technology solution to assist in drowning prevention, we could not have asked for a better partner."
WAVE is the first truly reliable, affordable, and easy-to-deploy technology that dramatically reduces the risk of drowning. WAVE’s life-saving technology is now being used in over 100 pools across 25 states and abroad, protecting tens of thousands of swimmers and lifeguards daily. WAVE’s award-winning system also includes Lifeguard Entry Alert (LEA) which immediately alerts other staff in the facility the moment a lifeguard enters the water so they can support the rescue.
About Barton VC:
Barton Venture Capital is a wholly owned subsidiary of Barton Holdings, Inc. a diversified venture capital and private equity investment firm. Barton VC focuses on making private investments in companies in artificial intelligence, fintech, telecommunications, healthcare, energy, water, and consumer technologies. Barton VC works with its investment and portfolio company partners to bring capital as well as strategic and operational expertise to startup and mid-market technology-driven businesses.
About Wave Drowning Prevention Systems:
The WAVE system utilizes ultra-lightweight, comfortable headsets worn by swimmers. The headsets communicate wirelessly with an above-water Hub which measures how long each swimmer’s face has been under water. If submerged for longer than 20+ seconds (adjustable), wearables (such as bracelets and pendants) worn by staff will begin to vibrate to make them aware that a swimmer may be in trouble. If the swimmer remains underwater, the system will alert using audio-visual alarms, ensuring that staff intervene before it becomes a drowning. If a lifeguard enters the water to make a rescue, WAVE’s Lifeguard Entry Alert (LEA) feature immediately alerts other staff in the facility so they can support the rescue.
WAVE is based in Norwalk, Connecticut, USA.