China Sex App Competition Won With Contracting Condom
Pulsing, wifi-connected prophylactic makes safe sex safer and more pleasurable.
Beijing, April 30, 2015 (Newswire.com) - A team led by Web Presence In China CTO Alex Ververis won this weekend’s Tech Hive Durex Startup Challenge, by designing and launching a product which allows a condom to detect blood flow, and contract or expand accordingly. Sponsored by Durex, the event paid out RMB100,000 ($16,131).
“We’re super pleased to have won the event, but even more happy that the event was held in Beijing,” said Ververis. “It shows not only that Beijing is the tech startup center of China, but also that there’s a real drive to solving social issues here through technological innovation.”
"The twin benefits are an enhanced and healthier sexual experience."
Alex Ververis, CTO
The winning team spent the entirety of the event - held from the evening of Friday, April 24th, on through Sunday evening - conceptualizing and designing a product called CIRQ, which employs printed circuitry and wifi for bio-feedback, integrated with mechanical adaptation.
“Basically, the circuitry goes on a strip at the base of the condom,” explained Ververis. “It can sense blood flow, and constrict or expand the diameter of the condom accordingly, with a gentle yet pleasant pumping action. The twin benefits are an enhanced and healthier sexual experience.”
CIRQ was one of six pitches that made it through to the 54-hour weekend event. Organized by Andy Mok, and known as China’s most respected startup accelerator, Tech Hive partnered with Durex to offer the winning team the cash prize, as well as marketing consultancy, promotion on Durex’ Chinese social media ecosystem (Weibo, WeChat, & Douban), and gift bags of sexual well-being products.
The event was attended by three hundred potential customers and investors, as well as media.