Stephen Dalby, a father of a large family, was unable to find a cell phone he felt comfortable giving to his son. So, he made one.
Gabb Wireless is a company that creates safe cell phones for kids that does not allow for any web or app browsing. Children are getting phones younger and younger, usually between the ages of 10-13. However, most parents do not want their children to have access to all of the typical features something like an iPhone may have, so Gabb Wireless offers the perfect fit. The company operates as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator, meaning that they offer wireless service by leasing service from major cellular providers.
Most recently, Gabb Wireless secured a $14 million round of funding — the Series A round was led by Sandlot Partners. “Sandlot has a strong track record of fueling growth and adding value to their portfolio companies,” said Stephen Dalby, Gabb Wireless co-founder and CEO.
Since 2018, Gabb Wireless has grown rapidly in the phones-for-kids niche, filling a market gap for an overlooked demographic when it comes to cell phones. The prices come in under $100, so it is the perfect first stepping stone for parents looking to get their kids a phone for safety reasons. “All of the phones that we see today are really adult phones,” Dalby says. “That’s why they have ‘parental controls.’ These are adult phones that they’re trying to dumb down.”
Nealry 54% of teens say that they spend too much time on their phones, so Gabb is aiming to cut back on this statistic. Bill Gates weighed in on his thoughts about kids having devices in The Mirror. “We don’t have cellphones at the table when we are having a meal, we didn’t give our kids cellphones until they were 14, and they complained other kids got them earlier.” Gates added, “You’re always looking at how it can be used in a great way – homework and staying in touch with friends – and also where it has gotten to excess.”
Dalby says, “One of our primary purposes is to give parents an opportunity to be put back in the driver seat.” In addition to the cell phones, Gabb Wireless also offers a kid-friendly watch. It has a GPS and allows calls to 10 preset numbers. The watch also comes in at just $100 and is a stand-alone device. To learn more, visit www.gabbwireless.com.