A Seattle-based startup, Sansaire raised nearly $257,000 via a crowdfunded appeal in 2016. On Wednesday it announced that it would shut down operations and end production. According to data from Kickstarter, 1,314 backers pledged $256,804 to help bring Sansaire’s project to life. The backers will likely lose all their ‘investment’.
The acting CEO Lukas Svec shared the news in an update on the company’s Kickstarter campaign page:
“We regret to share that Sansaire will be ceasing development of the Delta and the company will ultimately be closing its doors. In short, our relationship with the new production facility broke down and has exhausted available funding and manufacturing routes.
As we wind down over the next 12 months, Sansaire will be supporting warranties and customer service issues. Kickstarter Backers will be contacted individually regarding next steps.“
Image from Kickstarter
During its fundraising campaign, Sansaire had claimed “With its front-and-center interface, the Sansaire Delta transforms ordinary pots into sleek and elegant cooking devices.”
The company was cofounded by Scott Heimendinger, a well known food hacker. Heimendinger left the company before the launch of Sansaire’s second Kickstarter campaign in 2016 and the company has seen a number of executive departures ever since.
According to the statements in kickstarter, the “relationship with the new production facility broke down and has exhausted available funding and manufacturing routes.” A cnet article added “A Sansaire spokesperson said there was “a breach of confidentiality and trust” between the company and the manufacturing facility, but did not elaborate.”