Puffin Innovations
Puffin Innovations develops smart assistive technology designed to empower people with disabilities to lead more independent and productive lives. Their flagship product, Puffin, is an innovative input device that uses machine learning, artificial intelligence, and IoT connectivity to provide hands-free access to mobile devices, computers, and smart home systems. The product is customizable, easy to set up, and adapts to individual user needs, enabling control over various smart devices and applications. Founded by Adriana Mallozzi, who has cerebral palsy, the company combines lived experience with engineering expertise to create accessible technology. Puffin Innovations has won multiple awards including the MIT Assistive Technology Hackathon and the Not Impossible Limitless Award, and is supported by organizations such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Easterseals. Their business model focuses on providing a complete package including patented technology and a customizable mounting system, targeting users with significant physical disabilities as well as broader applications in rehabilitation, education, employment, public safety, and smart manufacturing.
Puffin Innovations
Puffin Innovations develops smart assistive technology designed to empower people with disabilities to lead more independent and productive lives. Their flagship product, Puffin, is an innovative input device that uses machine learning, artificial intelligence, and IoT connectivity to provide hands-free access to mobile devices, computers, and smart home systems. The product is customizable, easy to set up, and adapts to individual user needs, enabling control over various smart devices and applications. Founded by Adriana Mallozzi, who has cerebral palsy, the company combines lived experience with engineering expertise to create accessible technology. Puffin Innovations has won multiple awards including the MIT Assistive Technology Hackathon and the Not Impossible Limitless Award, and is supported by organizations such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Easterseals. Their business model focuses on providing a complete package including patented technology and a customizable mounting system, targeting users with significant physical disabilities as well as broader applications in rehabilitation, education, employment, public safety, and smart manufacturing.
TL;DR
Founded: 2015
Headquarters: Woburn/Boston, Massachusetts
Core product: Puffin — ML-enabled hands-free assistive input device (hardware + companion app)
Team size (reported): 5 employees
Last disclosed funding event: Non-equity assistance, Oct 13, 2021 (lead: 2Gether-International)
Company Overview
Problem Domain
Assistive technology for people with significant physical disabilities; applications also noted in rehabilitation, education, employment, public safety, and smart manufacturing.
Founded
2015
Industry
Assistive technology / Accessibility
Tech Stack
Funding Track Record
Last disclosed funding event listed as non-equity assistance.
Investor Signal
“Supported by grants/partners including U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, City of Somerville, iFundWomen, Easterseals Massachusetts, Not Impossible Labs, Avnet; participated in accelerator programs such as MassChallenge.”