Spansive

About Spansive

Spansive, originally founded as Pi in 2015 by MIT alumni John MacDonald and Lixin Shi, developed wireless charging technology. The company won the Startup Battlefield at TechCrunch Disrupt in 2017 for its initial cone-shaped charger that promised to power devices within a one-foot radius. However, after user testing revealed challenges with the prototype, the company pivoted its direction. It rebranded from Pi to Spansive in 2019, a name chosen to reflect growth and an expanding vision.

The company's key product was the Spansive Source, a multi-device wireless charger designed for shared spaces like homes and offices. The Source was capable of charging up to six devices at once: four wirelessly and two via USB ports. Its main technological feature was a patented software-defined induction that created a three-dimensional charging field, called a "PowerField". This technology allowed users to charge their Qi-enabled devices without precise alignment and even through thick phone cases and accessories. The charger was also Wi-Fi enabled to receive software updates for new features and expanded device compatibility.

Spansive's investors included Foundry Group, Uncork Capital, NextView Ventures, and Eniac Ventures, having raised $15 million in funding, including an $11.4 million Series A round in December 2017. The Spansive Source was sold online for approximately $200. However, the company is no longer in business. A recall was issued for chargers sold on May 23 and 24, 2019, due to a report of a metallic phone accessory overheating, and a remedy is no longer available as the firm has ceased operations.