Beach safety has always been a topic of concern for coastal communities. Flag and sign-based warning systems, life rings on wood posts, and lifeguards have been the standard for decades. Challenges come with implementing each and drowning prevention is a complex problem. What if there was a better, more efficient way to ensure the safety of beachgoers? Enter SwimSmart Technology, a local startup transforming beachfront safety through innovative safety towers equipped with lifesaving technology. SwimSmart’s journey is one of perseverance, partnerships, and profound impact.
Meet the Founders
At the heart of SwimSmart are two founders, Jacob Soter and Dr. Andrew Barnard. Jacob, a Michigan Technological University (Michigan Tech) Alum, with a passion for engine and automotive controls, landed internships at Mercury Marine and General Motors where he honed his technical skills. While pursuing a double major in electrical and computer engineering and later completing his MBA, Jacob’s interests began to shift to the problems surrounding water safety.
Jacob met Andrew in Michigan Tech’s SENSE (Strategic Education Through Naval System Experience) Program — an initiative that allows students to work on real-world, hands-on engineering projects with a focus on marine applications. A pivotal moment occurred at the Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC), where he and Andrew began working on projects focused on marine technology intended for Department of Defense (DoD) applications.
Their early projects included cost-effective remote-control life rafts in collaboration with the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) and the Great Lakes Water Safety Consortium (GLWSC). The GLWSC works with advocates of water safety to provide education and address challenges and shortcomings on water safety policy in the Great Lakes. One issue that kept coming up was the pitfalls of the beach flag warning system used at many beaches across the country. The flag system is a basic color-coded cloth flag that is changed based on weather conditions to warn the public of swimming dangers. It was during this time that the project pivoted and marked the beginning of a new venture: the electronic beach traffic light.
From Concept to Coastline
The development of SwimSmart’s beachfront safety tower didn’t happen overnight. It was the result of years of research, testing, and refinement. The first step occurred when Jacob and Andrew, along with a team of about 10 students, built a water safety drone. This drone, presented at a water safety conference in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, became a catalyst for SwimSmart’s creation. During the conference, Jacob and Andrew sat in on a presentation covering a very familiar issue: the challenges and limitations of maintaining the beach flag warning system.
The logistics of the flag system— requiring physical flag changes by lifeguards, first responders, or park staff — often meant that conditions changed faster than the flags. This problem was highlighted by water safety experts who maintain flag systems or want to implement them, around the Great Lakes to stem the drowning problem. It was this realization that prompted Jacob and Andrew to conceptualize an automated, real-time light system that could provide continuous, automated updates on water conditions.
SwimSmart Technology Today
Today, SwimSmart’s flagship product is a comprehensive smart beachfront safety tower that provides real-time alerts to beachgoers and comes equipped with a triggered electronic life ring cabinet. Instead of relying on human intervention to change flags, SwimSmart’s system utilizes color-coded lights (red, yellow, green) that automatically adjust based on National Weather Service forecasts and real-time data from coastal sensors. This innovation addresses the issues that plagued the old flag system, providing a much faster and more accurate alert system for water safety.
Here’s what makes SwimSmart’s technology unique:
- Automated Swim Notifications: Warnings of nearshore hazards such as dangerous waves, currents, water quality concerns, and more are either automated through forecasts or streamlined through software. Visual and audio warnings using the beach notification light standardize beach warnings.
- Triggered Flotation Cabinets: Electronic sensors detect when flotation cabinets are opened for water rescues. These geo-located cabinets can notify first responders of emergencies and open two-way calls, play audio messages, or turn on cameras to assist in emergency management.
- Custom Radio Mesh Network: Unlike Wi-Fi, which has limited range and reliability, SwimSmart’s devices communicate through a custom-built radio mesh network that ensures stable connections and redundancy between towers.
- Coastal Resilient Hardware: Electronic infrastructure designed to survive coastal flooding, hurricane winds, hail, salt spray, marine life, and more. Unique “screw-mounted” hardware utilizes giant 15-foot screws that dig down deep into the sand and allow hardware to be located anywhere and moved if need be.
- Coastal Hazard Detection and Forecasting: Beach hardware doubles as National Weather Service mesonets, mini weather stations, that collect important data to improve coastal forecasting which, in turn, improves the quality of public warnings
Connecting with Innovate Marquette
As with any great entrepreneurial journey, support and mentorship played a crucial role in SwimSmart’s growth. Jacob’s connection to Innovate Marquette SmartZone came through a pitch event at TC New Tech during the pandemic. After delivering a compelling virtual pitch, he was introduced to Joe Thiel, CEO of Innovate Marquette. Jacob’s passion for water safety innovation, coupled with Joe’s extensive experience in entrepreneurship and scaling startups, including building a school safety technology company, made for a perfect match.
Innovate Marquette provided the resources, mentorship, and connections necessary to help Jacob and Andrew transform SwimSmart from a promising concept into a fully operational company. Through the support of Innovate Marquette’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, SwimSmart has been able to navigate the challenges of government contracts, product development, and manufacturing partnerships.
Impactful Solutions
The impact of SwimSmart’s beachfront safety technology is becoming more evident every day. By providing faster and more accurate alerts, the company is helping to prevent drownings and save lives. The system’s debut at Grand Haven State Park marked a significant milestone. This installation, funded by a $570,000 grant from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), was seen as a major win for the company and the public safety sector.
The system’s ability to reduce emergency response times is particularly important. Traditional systems rely on phone calls to emergency services, which can add 10-15 minutes to response time. SwimSmart’s system reduces this to under a minute, thanks to the automated alerts triggered by the life ring cabinet system.
Recent Achievements
SwimSmart’s growth has been fueled by its ability to innovate and build credibility in the water safety industry. The company has earned several prestigious awards this year, including:
- Michigan Celebrates Small Business – SmartZone Best Small Business
- Great Lakes Water Safety Consortium – Superhero of the Year
Their success is also evident in their partnerships with government agencies and municipalities. The support from the Michigan DNR, the City of Marquette, and Grand Haven State Park underscores the trust and confidence these organizations have placed in SwimSmart’s technology.
Looking Ahead
The future is looking bright for SwimSmart. Their next steps include expanding their reach to more beachfronts, with beaches along Lake Superior here in Marquette slated for an installation next year. This project marks Phase III of their expansion strategy, following the successful rollout at Grand Haven State Park.
SwimSmart’s fundraising efforts are also moving forward, with plans to raise a a pre-seed funding round from outdoor-focused investors and university-backed tech funds. These funds will support research and development, grow the SwimSmart team, and further enhance the SwimSmart system’s capabilities.
The Final Wave
From its humble beginnings as a student project to its current status as a leader in beachfront safety technology, SwimSmart embodies the entrepreneurial spirit. Jacob and Andrew’s journey shows the power of curiosity and a willingness to challenge the status quo.
At Innovate Marquette, we’re proud to support companies like SwimSmart that are making a tangible impact on communities. Their ability to revolutionize water safety is a testament to what’s possible when you combine bold ideas with the right support system. We’re excited to see what’s next for SwimSmart and are honored to be part of their journey.
If you are as inspired by SwimSmart’s journey as we are, consider supporting their mission by spreading awareness or partnering with them to bring life-saving technology to beaches across the country.
