-

Totem Closes $1.3M in Pre-Seed Funding to Scale Operations for Explosive Demand

Following Global Rollout of 20K+ Festival Compass Devices, Totem Seeks to Usher in New Era of Human Connection Around the World in 2025

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Totem, the ascending tech startup known for its viral debut product, the Totem Compass, announced today that it has closed a pre-seed funding round, raising $1.3m from a group of assorted angel investors from around the world.

This capital will play a critical role for the company as they scale their production capabilities, supply chain, and internal team to meet the colossal global demand that has surfaced for their friend-finding compass.

The Totem Compass is a peer-to-peer tracking device for consumers with incredibly precise, real-time location updates. The device is 100% screen-free and designed to work without cellular networks, Wi-Fi, or apps. Powered by Totem's proprietary Unity Mesh Network™ and advanced GNSS technology, it also features SOS functionality, ensuring users can stay effortlessly connected with a reliable range, unbreakable bonds, and a simple, intuitive interface.

Garnering over 125 million organic views across social platforms in 2024 alone, Totem has quickly become a dominant force in the ever-growing festival technology market. After achieving more than $1.5M in verified pre-orders, Totem Compass rollout began in October 2024 and has since shipped over 20,000 units to customers in more than 60 countries around the world.

With music festival popularity surging and attendance reaching record-setting highs in 2024, substantial growth opportunities lie ahead for Totem as demand for their simple but beautifully effective technology continues to skyrocket.

In addition to the “friend-finding compass for festivals,” Totem is developing a companion product for the festival compass that will be revealed in March, as well as a suite of accessories for users to personalize their devices. With substantial investment interest building, Totem has plans for a Seed Round in Q2 of 2025, coming alongside future product details.

“We are immensely grateful to have the support of so many incredible investors with deep subject matter expertise. This pre-seed round serves as further evidence that Totem is not just a company—it is a movement that unites people around the world. This capital will be essential for us as we seek to build one of the world’s greatest event tech companies.”

–Carter Fowler, Totem CEO

Available now, the Totem Compass pricing starts at $69 per device, with discounted options for wholesale orders. For more information and to order now, visit totemlabs.com/order.

About Totem:

Totem, Inc. is a Tennessee-based tech startup creating tools to change how humans interact with each other and how they interact with the physical world around them. Founded in early 2024, Totem has rapidly grown from an idea into a bonafide global movement. Founded on the belief that no one deserves to be lost, Totem is guided by four core values—Love, Unity, Simplicity, and Beauty—as it seeks to usher in a new era of human connection around the world.

Contacts

Media Contact:
James Morton
Marketing Manager
james@totemlabs.com
Press Kit

Totem, Inc.


Release Summary
Totem, known for its viral friend-finding festival compass, the Totem Compass, announced today that it has closed a $1.3m pre-seed funding round.
Release Versions

Contacts

Media Contact:
James Morton
Marketing Manager
james@totemlabs.com
Press Kit

Social Media Profiles
More News From Totem, Inc.

Totem Launches WeFunder Community Round to Scale Offline, Decentralized Friend-Finding Technology

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Totem (www.totemlabs.com), the company building decentralized tools for real-world connection, today announced the launch of its community equity crowdfunding campaign on WeFunder. With $1.12 million already committed, Totem is targeting $2 million to unlock a recurring revenue model, expand its global footprint, strengthen distribution channels, and grow its technical team. The round is open now to the public with a minimum investment of $250, and internati...

Totem Evolves From Friend-Finding to Full Festival Navigation

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Totem, creators of the viral Totem Compass, the offline, wearable GPS tracker built for live events, today announced a major new update to the Totem Compass App, introducing navigable festival maps and custom waypoints that transform the way people navigate physical spaces without cell service or wifi. For the first time ever, anyone can download and use detailed, interactive maps that work 100% offline directly inside the Totem Compass App, even without own...

Totem Compass Achieves Record Adoption at Lost Lands, Its Largest Festival Deployment Yet

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Totem, Inc. today announced its largest real-world deployment yet of the Totem Compass, the offline, wearable navigation tool built for live events. At Lost Lands Festival in September, up to 3,500 Totems were estimated to be on-site—representing 4–6% festival-wide adoption. Combined with overwhelmingly positive feedback coming from the event, this cements Totem’s status as essential gear for music lovers navigating massive crowds without reliable cell servi...
Back to Newsroom