Bring On The Reign

NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- You don't have to live in a city with a rainy reputation as well-deserved as Seattle to know the struggles of battling a downpour with a flimsy umbrella that inverts itself in a sudden gust of wind or collapses helplessly against the wrath of nature.

Which is why NYC-based Reign Umbrellas is banking on a number of sleek advancements to a not-so-sleek, centuries-old umbrella design to address an issue experienced by anyone who's ever set foot outside and thought, correctly, "Feels like rain."

Namely, everyone.

As the world's first frameless umbrella, Reign is stronger and more durable than the old school umbrella design because there is no fragile latticework of ribs. The model has a canopy that can be adjusted to the strength of the wind. Reign has a patent pending air "donut" support system as well as patent pending Wind-Flex™ technology that pops the canopy back into place in heavy gusts. It's also rust-proof.  Another unique feature is the easy open and close function -- no more sliced or cut fingers.  It also removes the possibility of the umbrella jamming.

Reign signifies the first structural change to the portable umbrella since it was first introduced in 1705. And Founder Neil Handwerker has spent the last 4-years creating, developing, and laying the foundation for the new product.

The startup has already made significant progress since its inception in 2013. Handwerker filed his first provisional utility patent in October 2014 (since updated in 2017), and in 2015, he completed his bench model, was awarded a trademark by the USPTO for Reign Umbrellas, and completed his Prototype I. In April 2016, Handwerker solidified a partnership with Ming Ho factory leading to the development of his Prototype II.

Also in 2017, Reign signed on with Chicago-based Scott & Victor,  arguably the hottest ad agency in North America which selectively works with just one company out of every 50 considered.  Scott & Victor loved Reign's story and wanted to be an integral part in changing the current consumer view of the ubiquitous product.

Reign has also secured a favorable partnership with Peerless Umbrella -- the leading seller of promotional umbrellas in North America for the last 11 consecutive years. Through a 2-year exclusive deal covering promotional umbrella sales, Peerless Umbrella will sell Reign through their enormous distributor network.

Reign's Prototype II will be completed by March 2018, and its utility patent application is pending approval in the US, Canada, EU-28, China, Hong Kong and Japan.  With a prototype complete, distribution channels developed, and branding full steam ahead, Reign is making a splash in their mission to completely reinvent a 300+ year-old technology for a modern sensibility. 

Those interested in learning more about Reign are invited to visit the company's recently launched campaign on Fundable -- the world's largest crowdfunding platform for startups and small businesses.

For more information about this story, contact:

Neil Handwerker, Founder & Chairman
Reign
[email protected] 
(212) 479-2540

SOURCE Reign