EmpowerKey – Self-Defense in Your Pocket

Over het initiatief / About the initiative

In welke fase zit jouw initiatief? / In what stage is your initiative?

Ideefase

Heb je jouw initiatief al gevalideerd? / Did you validate your initiative?

Yes.We gathered input from over 100 students and women.Not just women but all genders…. in urban areas.The overwhelming response was: “This is exactly what I’ve been looking for.” Most self-defense tools are bulky, intimidating, or incomplete—EmpowerKey solves that by combining practicality, accessibility, and emotional reassurance.

Meer informatie over jouw initiatief / More info about your initiative

EmpowerKey was born out of a deep frustration and fear shared by millions of people,especially women who don’t feel safe walking home, traveling, or simply existing in public spaces.This keychain is more than just a tool…it’s a symbol of taking back power.

With a sleek,minimal design that blends into daily life…EmpowerKey includes a strong flashlight to deter danger or light dark paths a personal alarm to alert others, a window breaker for emergency escapes and (optionally) pepper spray.It’s designed to be easy to use under pressure,discreet to carry, and powerful when needed most.

We don’t just want to create a product-we want to start a movement that says: your safety should never be optional.

Wat is er anders/nieuw aan jouw idee/oplossing t.o.v. bestaande oplossingen? / What is different/new about your idea/solution compared to existing solutions??

What makes EmpowerKey different is its human-centered approach.Most safety products are either too tactical (military-style) or too simplified to truly help in a real emergency. EmpowerKey blends function with emotional impact:

• It’s compact, elegant, and discreet—designed for real people with real lives.

• It brings four essential safety tools together, instead of making people buy multiple separate items.

• It’s made to feel empowering, not fear-based—a tool that says “I’m in control.”

Wat zijn jouw volgende stappen om het verder te ontwikkelen? / What are your next steps to develop the initiative?

• Finalize the industrial design with focus groups

• Build and test functional prototypes

• Research and comply with safety/legal regulations (especially around pepper spray in different countries)

• Launch a digital campaign to raise awareness and pre-orders

• Develop partnerships with women’s safety groups, student unions, and NGOs

Wat heb je nodig om (nog meer) impact te maken met dit initiatief? / What do you need to make (more) impact with this initiative?

• Funding to produce high-quality prototypes and begin manufacturing

• Mentorship in product development, social entrepreneurship, and scaling a startup

• Legal guidance around safety product compliance

• Platform visibility to raise awareness and reach those who need it most

• Most importantly: a community of changemakers who believe in protecting and empowering others