Student\-Run Startup Seeking Guidance on Compact Bluetooth Reminder Bracelet Prototype

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Hello SparkFun Community!

My name is Valentina, and I’m the Chief Marketing Officer of CueLet, a student-run company participating in the Junior Achievement Company Program in North Canton, Ohio.

Our team is developing CueLet, a smart reminder bracelet designed to help tweens and teens with ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions manage everyday tasks and reminders.

Our goal is to create a bracelet that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. We want it to look like an everyday piece of jewelry rather than a traditional smartwatch or medical device.

Our Proposed Design:

● Compact electronic charm: A small, flat, circular component that can be incorporated into a bracelet.

● LED notification: A subtle light that flashes when a scheduled reminder is triggered.

● Bluetooth connectivity: The bracelet would communicate with a companion smartphone app.

● Personalized reminders: Users would schedule reminders through the app, and the bracelet would alert them when it’s time.

● Minimalist appearance: Ideally, the electronics would fit inside a small gold-colored charm.

● Affordability: As a student-run company, we hope to develop a design that can eventually be manufactured at a reasonable cost.

What We Need Help With:

1. What microcontroller or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) chip would be best for a compact wearable like this?

2. What is the smallest practical combination of an LED, battery, and Bluetooth components?

3. Would it be possible to fit these components inside a circular charm approximately 15–20 mm in diameter?

4. What type of rechargeable or replaceable battery would you recommend?

5. How could we develop a working prototype before investing in custom manufacturing?

6. Are there any manufacturers, engineers, or prototyping services you would recommend for a small student startup?

We are currently in the research and development stage and would greatly appreciate guidance on technical feasibility, component sourcing, and cost-effective prototyping.

Our team is passionate about creating a product that makes everyday life easier for individuals who struggle with forgetfulness and task management.

Thank you so much for your time and any advice you can offer!

Valentina Malcolm
Chief Marketing Officer | CueLet
Junior Achievement Company Program
Your Daily Cue

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In order to answer most of those questions a working prototype is needed, as you will need to get practical experience on topics like power draw, consequences of MCU choice, sleep/wake modes, operating mode tradeoffs on battery size and life, how often the battery will need charging, etc.

It is straightforward to create that functional prototype, starting with an MCU board that has built in Bluetooth capabilities. Hobby suppliers like Sparkfun and Adafruit have plenty of offerings to choose from.

All you should need to do is write the code, and there are plenty of examples on line to help you get started. The size of prototype doesn’t matter at this point.

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On 5 and 6, from production side.

Dont start with custom board. Dev board with BLE, small LiPo and 3D printed case is enough to test with real users, battery life and if they wear it at all.

Then one round of own small PCB, 5-10 pcs with assembly from China fab, its cheap now. Ask quote for 100 and 1000 pcs same time, you see real unit cost early.

Gold charm case will cost more than electronics, so find jewelry or metal shop early, not at the end.