HUDWAY

HUDWAY helps keep drivers safe and "connected" on the road.

It’s created multiple automotive safety technology products, including a GPS navigation app, and several head-up displays. Through its suite of automotive software and hardware, HUDWAY’s mission is to keep drivers less distracted and help them navigate safely.

HUDWAY is poised for quick growth. By 2025, the automotive market for head-up displays, also known as “HUD,” is expected to reach $13 billion. In addition, more consumers are requesting advanced safety features and technology in their cars.

According to a July 2018 report from Consumer Reports, buyers specifically want car tech that “helps them drive better.” And according to a 2018 report from Cox Automotive, the parent company to Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book, more than 50% of consumers want to see innovations in safety tech within the next 3 to 5 years.

HUDWAY is targeting these consumers with its displays and patented software.

HUDWAY first launched its GPS navigation app, HUDWAY Go, in 2013. Then one night, co-founder Ivan Klabukov answered a phone call while driving and placed the phone on the dashboard to keep his hands free. He noticed that the reflection from the phone onto the windshield was clearly visible, and was inspired to create a unique head-up display.

In 2015, the company launched its first hardware product, HUDWAY Glass, through a campaign on Kickstarter, a crowdfunding platform. The company’s funding target was $100,000, and it ended up raising more than $620,000.

HUDWAY Glass is a head-up display for cars. It features a high-quality lens that provides a sharp, enlarged reflection of a smartphone and displays information right in the drivers’ line of sight.

Within nine months of the Kickstarter campaign, HUDWAY filled 14,000 orders, and began developing additional hardware products.

In 2016, Fast Company named HUDWAY one of the “Top 8 Most Innovative Companies in the Automotive Sector,” alongside Tesla and Ford.

In 2017, the company unveiled HUDWAY Cast. This external head-up display uses Bluetooth technology to project information from the user's smartphone to the device. An ambient light sensor means drivers can see the display day or night. And users only need to pair their device with the display once.

With HUDWAY Cast, drivers can receive directions, take calls, and read text messages while maintaining their line of sight on the road. Displays can also connect to rear-view and side-view cameras for added safety.

Most recently, the company created a prototype of HUDWAY Sight. This is a head-up display that mounts to any bike helmet. It uses WaveGuide technology to project information from the smartphone to the biker’s eye line, enabling them to stay safe while staying “connected.”

HUDWAY has sold more than 70,000 units of its hardware products, and its GPS app has been downloaded more than 5 million times. HUDWAY Glass retails for $49.95, and HUDWAY Cast retails for $189. The company generates an estimated $2.4 million in annual revenue.

HUDWAY aims to conduct a Series A funding round in 2020, and surpass 1 million active users by 2021.

Team Background

Alex Ostanin - Co-Founder & CEO

Alex has 16 years of experience in business development and operations.

He has led HUDWAY’s operation since its inception in 2013.

He earned an MBA from the University of Louisville.

Ivan Klabukov - Co-Founder & COO

Before starting HUDWAY, Ivan was the owner of Russian Information Technologies. This is a software development company that works with businesses to create custom software programs. Ivan ran this business for more than 15 years.

He earned an MBA from the University of Louisville.

Kate Juravela - International Business Development

Kate has experience in international sales, supply chain & logistics management, and business development.

Jelena Garina - Chief Financial Officer

Jelena has 15 years of experience in operations, accounting and finance.

Co-Investors