Chet Kittleson
Chet Kittleson is the Co-Founder and CEO of Tin Can and serves as Regional Manager at UP Global. He previously co-founded Far Homes, which closed, and remains active at Tin Can.
GeekWire and Greater Seattle Partners call for nominations for 2026 Uncommon Thinkers; deadline Sept. 18, winners honored Dec. 10
Nominations for GeekWire’s 2026 Uncommon Thinkers Awards — honoring Seattle-area inventors, scientists, technologists and entrepreneurs — close Friday, Sept. 18 at 11 a.m. PT; winners will be chosen by a judges panel and celebrated at the GeekWire Gala on Dec. 10. The fourth annual program, run with Greater Seattle Partners, seeks nominees who demonstrate innovation, leadership and measurable impact.
Tin Can CEO Chet Kittleson and Founders Share Key Startup Lessons at Seattle Flow Day on May 15
At Seattle Flow Startup Day, experienced founders including Tin Can CEO Chet Kittleson shared lessons from their hardships, emphasizing building passionate companies, maintaining emotional stability, hiring capable people, disciplined fundraising, questioning the need for venture capital, and considering acquisition early. Kittleson recounted surviving a disastrous network outage that nearly ended his startup, highlighting resilience and customer-driven growth.
Seattle Startup Tin Can Launches Tin Can Communities Program for Bulk Adoption of Kids’ Screenless Phones
Seattle startup Tin Can launched Tin Can Communities, a program allowing schools and neighborhoods to adopt their $100 screenless Wi-Fi-enabled kids' phone in bulk. The company, founded in 2024 and having raised $15.5 million, aims to delay smartphone adoption by enabling collective group use, supported by bulk pricing and onboarding.
Seattle Startup Tin Can's Screenless Kids Phone Cited by Jimmy Kimmel After NYT Wirecutter Praise
Seattle startup Tin Can's screenless phone for kids gained mainstream recognition after Jimmy Kimmel mentioned it during his show, following a positive New York Times Wirecutter review. The company has grown to 30 employees and sold hundreds of thousands of units.
Landline phones in 2025? How this tech vet is helping kids connect
If you're looking for an uncommon thinker, how about a tech industry veteran developing and selling landline phones in 2025 — and selling out of them in the process. Chet Kittleson is the co-founder and CEO of Tin Can, a Seattle startup making Wi-Fi enabled landline phones designed to let kids talk to friends and family with just their voices. No screens, no AI. GeekWire recognized Kittleson as one of our Uncommon Thinkers for 2025, a program presented in partnership with Greater Seattle Partners honoring inventors, scientists, and entrepreneurs transforming their industries in unexpected ways. In this episode, he talks…
Seattle Startup Tin Can Raises $12M Seed Funding Led by Greylock to Scale Kid-Friendly Wi-Fi Landline Phones
Seattle startup Tin Can raised $12 million in a seed round led by Greylock Partners to meet high demand for its Wi-Fi landline-style phones for kids, which have sold out two production runs and built a near-six-figure waitlist. The company aims to provide a safer communication device for kids without screen distractions, attracting investors who are also parents and industry experts.
2025 GeekWire Gala Hosts 750+ Seattle Tech Enthusiasts with Robots and Honors 'Uncommon Thinkers' Innovators
The 2025 GeekWire Gala brought together over 750 members of Seattle's tech community at Showbox SoDo for an evening of celebration featuring robots, games, and networking. The event also honored the region’s 'Uncommon Thinkers,' recognizing innovative leaders from multiple tech companies.
GeekWire Honors Six 'Uncommon Thinkers' Transforming Industries with Innovative Startups in 2025
GeekWire's third annual 'Uncommon Thinkers' honors six innovators including Anindya Roy, Kiana Ehsani, and Jeff Thornburg, who are leading startups transforming industries with breakthrough technologies in biotech, social media, and space propulsion. These leaders will be celebrated at the GeekWire Gala in Seattle for their creative and mission-driven approaches to solving significant challenges.
Seattle Startup Tin Can Raises $3.5M, Gains Viral Success with Kid-Friendly WiFi Landline Phones
Chet Kittleson’s Seattle startup Tin Can has gained viral success with its WiFi-enabled landline phones designed to help kids avoid screens and foster real connections, raising $3.5 million and distributing products nationwide. The device's simplicity and analog nature have resonated with parents seeking alternatives to social media and texting for their children.
Seattle Startup Tin Can Raises $3.5M to Scale Screen-Free WiFi Landline Phones for Kids
Seattle startup Tin Can has raised $3.5 million from venture investors to scale its WiFi-enabled landline phones for kids, designed to limit screen exposure. The $75 phones connect children through approved contacts only, addressing parental concerns about smartphone and social media impacts on children's mental health and social development.
Seattle Startups Like Tin Can Launch WiFi-Enabled Landlines and Dumb Phones to Limit Kids’ Screen Time
Three Seattle startups, including Tin Can, are creating smartphone alternatives for kids to reduce screen time and social media pressure by offering WiFi-enabled landlines and ‘dumb phones’ with limited functionality. Tin Can’s colorful WiFi-enabled landlines aim to simplify communication and avoid screen addiction.
Organizations
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Education
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Whitworth University General Education
