VIATEC’s 2018 “Startup of the Year” heads to Vegas for global spotlight

VIATEC’s 2018 “Startup of the Year” is getting an opportunity to step into the global spotlight as it heads to Vegas to represent Canada at the Consumer Electronics Show.

Victoria-based boat security and monitoring company Barnacle Systems will be exhibiting their product BRNKL (pronounced barnacle) at CES 2019 alongside other Canadian companies at the Canadian Pavilion in Las Vegas.

“Representing Canada and the boating industry at CES 2019 is a dream come true,” said Brandon Wright, founder of Barnacle Systems. “Our team has worked extremely hard to get to where we are today.”

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BRNKL is a “home security system” for boats so owners can check in on their vessel remotely from their smartphone, tablet, or computer. The BRNKL app allows users to see inside of their vessel, receive GPS alerts, know the status of batteries, shore power connection and if water is entering their boat.

Based in Victoria, BC, and founded in July of 2017, the Barnacle Systems’ founding team consists of Vancouver Island locals Brandon Wright, Sean Battistoni and Nick Van Doorn.

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Wright grew up in Comox and completed Electrical Engineering at the University of Victoria.

Battistoni, having also graduated from the University of Victoria, grew up in Victoria and managed Marina Operations for the Oak Bay Marine Group.

Van Doorn, the team’s software lead, grew up in Victoria and lives by the mantra “talk is cheap, show me the code.”

The Consumer Electronics Show showcases more than 4,500 exhibiting companies to 180K attendees from 150 countries. It has served as the proving ground for innovators and breakthrough technologies for 50+ years.

CES will be held in Las Vegas Nevada from Jan. 8-11.