CLEVELAND — “That's why we call it Everykey, because it's like having one key for everything that you own,” Founder and CEO of Everykey Chris Wentz told 3News back in 2014.
Everykey began as a small device to store passwords, unlocking things instantly.
“Everykey will fill in the username and password and log me into LinkedIn,” McKelvey Packard, Founder and COO of Everykey, explained during a demonstration. “It unlocks your phone, your computer, all your website accounts, anything really that you can think of that needs a key or a password.”
We first introduced you to the company a decade ago, with its tiny fob that fits on a keychain or bracelet.
“We thought that it was, you know, something crazy. There's no way that we would ever do a hardware product,” said Wentz. “So, this was just for a class initially.”
An idea for an entrepreneur class at CASE Western Reserve University, Everkey became a career for college friends.
“One of those times when we forgot our dorm key, wearing a Fitbit at the time,” said Packard. “We were like, hey, why don't we just put all of this stuff into your Fitbit?”
First aimed at individual customers, Everykey pivoted during the pandemic; today, it's targeting businesses. Partnering with the likes of LG Electronics and a contract with the U.S. Air Force. In all 3,400 companies on board, the Northeast Ohio Company showed off its latest product at CES in Las Vegas.
“We've actually transitioned to a software-only solution where you can use your phone or a smartwatch as your Everykey,” said Packard.
The trip west is already paying off, with new contacts and partnerships.
“We even had companies like the NBA that we're talking about how they can potentially use our technology,” said Packard.
The new attention has led to an expansion in the ranks. Everykey’s team has doubled since fall, as they explore new uses for their technology. Imagine unlocking your car or your house, controlling the lights and TV just by walking into the room. Everykey is working on a plan for that too.
“I do see the potential in this business and what we can do,” said McKelvey.
Everykey not only protects your passwords, it can create 15 to 500 character passwords to accounts and share them securely with other users.
