PopSockets

PopSockets LLC

Company type	Private
Industry	Consumer electronics accessories
Founded	2012
Founder	David Barnett
Headquarters	Boulder , United States
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	David Barnett (founder)
Products	PopSockets grips, PopSockets mounts, PopMinis, PopWallets, PopMirrors, PopGrips, Otter+Pop phone case
Number of employees	200+
Website	popsockets.com

PopSockets LLC is a privately held company specializing in consumer electronics accessories, particularly detachable smartphone grips. Established in 2012 by David Barnett, who was then a philosophy professor, the business swiftly established a strong presence in the mobile accessory sector.

Overview

PopSockets LLC witnessed substantial expansion, moving 30,000 grips in 2014 and escalating to 35 million units by 2017. The following year, sales climbed to 60 million, with cumulative sales surpassing 100 million grips overall. In 2018, the company reported revenues exceeding US$200 million alongside profits greater than US$90 million.

Acknowledged for its significant impact on the market, PopSockets secured the #2 position on the 2018 Inc. 5000 list highlighting America’s fastest-growing companies. The firm employs more than 200 individuals across offices located in Boulder, San Francisco, Finland, and Singapore, while its manufacturing is managed through partnerships in China, South Korea, Mexico, and Seattle.

History

In January 2012, Barnett initiated a Kickstarter project for an iPhone 4 case that incorporated an earbud holder. By March of that year, he entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Case-Mate; however, this arrangement eventually collapsed, resulting in delays. Later that year in September, Barnett redirected efforts toward creating an iPhone 5 case and launched "PopSockets for All," a repositionable grip affixed to phones or tablets using a reusable gel pad. This product became the company’s top seller by solving the issue of tangled headphone cords.

Direct-to-consumer sales through the company’s website commenced in January 2014. The first significant retail collaboration was established with T-Mobile in 2015. By 2017, PopSockets had become a widely recognized gadget on par with popular items like the fidget spinner.

Between mid-2015 and mid-2018, PopSockets LLC achieved revenue growth exceeding 71,000%, all accomplished without any venture capital funding.

In March 2019, PopSockets moved its headquarters to a new 46,000-square-foot space situated in Boulder, Colorado.

Early challenges

PopSockets grips were highlighted in a 2012 NPR feature titled "When A Kickstarter Campaign Fails, Does Anyone Get The Money Back?", which focused on founder David Barnett refunding 40 out of 500 Kickstarter supporters due to manufacturing setbacks. Barnett voiced concerns that issuing refunds might lead backers to assume they could easily purchase the products later. These production delays also received coverage from CNN.

Product lineup

The primary offering from PopSockets LLC is the PopSockets grip, created to enhance phone handling and serve as a stand. The company additionally markets the PopSockets mount, enabling users to affix their phones onto vertical surfaces such as car dashboards or walls. In 2018, they introduced the PopSockets vent mount, designed to clip onto vehicle air vents.

Other items include PopMinis—compact grips sold in three-packs—PopWallets, which can hold up to three cards, and PopMirrors, grips equipped with dual mirrors. In October 2018, PopSockets unveiled "PopGrips," a line of interchangeable grips featuring removable "PopTops."

In spring 2019, PopSockets collaborated with OtterBox to launch the Otter+Pop phone case, combining an OtterBox case with a built-in PopTop; this product earned a CES Editors' Choice award. Upcoming innovations involve swappable grips integrated with batteries, sensors, and tracking technology, along with compatibility for the iPhone 12's MagSafe system.

Intellectual property enforcement

PopSockets LLC has encountered considerable issues with counterfeit and imitation products infringing on its patents. During 2017 and 2018, its brand protection team worked alongside international online marketplaces to eliminate between 1,000 and 2,000 infringing listings daily. Amazon implemented new measures to address the substantial influx of counterfeit PopSockets grips on its platform.

In 2018 alone, PopSockets LLC allocated over US$7 million toward protecting its intellectual property rights and engaged more than 40 attorneys worldwide. That June, the company obtained a General Exclusion Order from the US International Trade Commission, effectively barring imports of goods violating its 2013 patent covering the extendable socket design.

Conflict with Amazon

In November 2018, PopSockets LLC stopped selling grips directly through Amazon due to disagreements over pricing policies. Amazon's revised approach mandated that brands sell products wholesale to Amazon, which would then determine retail prices. To preserve consistent pricing across retailers like Target and Best Buy, PopSockets opted not to supply Amazon under these conditions.

Corporate social responsibility

In November 2018, PopSockets LLC introduced "Poptivism," a charitable program directing 50% of proceeds from select grips to nonprofit organizations chosen by creators. Celebrity advocate Zendaya supported FoodCorps through this initiative. The company also teamed up with Teen Vogue to support March for Our Lives, an organization addressing gun violence.

Earlier in 2018, PopSockets sponsored "Let's Get a Grip on Arthritis," donating 10% of online net sales during that period to the Arthritis Foundation, which acknowledged the product’s benefits for individuals with arthritis. Subsequent quarterly contributions went to Craig Hospital—specializing in spinal cord and brain injury rehabilitation—and The ALS Association, a cause personally significant to founder David Barnett.

By April 2020, Poptivism had generated $934,447 in donations, underscoring PopSockets’ dedication to social impact alongside business expansion.