Juan Roca is not James Bond, but his partner Rafael Nieto does bear similarities to Q, the character who is in charge of devising the life-saving gadgets that carry the brand new cars of the famous agent 007. "At 61 years old, Nieto is an expert in electronics and has dedicated himself to applying it to all types of sectors. When I met him, he had been commissioned to create an intelligent jacket for truck drivers, and I suggested that the jacket he was designing could be for everyone”, explains Roca. After a couple of years of work and an initial investment of 200,000 euros, the two partners launched their first PYKRS jacket at the beginning of this year.
The garments of the brand created by Roca and Nieto do not carry camouflaged missiles or are armored, but they do incorporate gadgets such as lighting, heating, a fall detection system or bluetooth connectivity. All through an integrated button or an app. The jackets are made in Portugal, and the electronics they carry are incorporated in Sant Boi de Llobregat, where the company is headquartered. They use their website for marketing, thanks to which they can reach countries as far away as the United States, which is currently also their main market "because of the greater ease of its inhabitants when it comes to adopting technologies," says Roca.
Entrepreneurs are already working on new gadgets that are also worthy of James Bond, “such as a guidance sensor system or technology with which you can communicate”, advances the co-founder. On the other hand, they also want to market other products, such as backpacks.
With the sale of their smart jackets, which have a sale price of between 500 and 700 euros, the entrepreneurs plan to end what will be their first year of sales with a turnover of 300,000 euros and reach one million euros in 2024. to consolidate their growth, they have the help of the business accelerator Lanzadera.
In addition to being made in a European Union country, PYKRS jackets use recycled materials. For the exterior, PYKRS has chosen a fabric known as 'hard shell', waterproof and breathable, made with 100% recycled polyester; while the interior filling is made with ten discarded plastic bottles. On the other hand, the Portuguese factory with which the firm works uses energy generated with solar panels.
