iBeat raises $1.5 million for ‘life-saving’ heart-monitoring watch

iBeat, the startup behind a “life-saving, heart-monitoring smartwatch,” announced today that it scored a $1.5 million seed investment.

Led by Maveron and Subtraction Capital, iBeat’s latest round aims to hire new talent and expand its operations.

iBeat also plans to use the capital to commercialize the startup’s first product, a wearable that closely monitors the user’s heartbeat and alerts emergency responders in case it detects a life-threatening situation.

“Our vision is to lower this number [of fatal cardiac arrests] by bringing to market a beautiful and sleek smartwatch that will quicken the delivery of care and help save lives,” explained iBeat founder and CEO Ryan Howard.

This oversubscribed seed round was also backed by Correlation Ventures, Ammunition Group, and angel investors such as Denver Broncos football player Russell Okung and KKR founding partner Henry Kravis.