People & Lifestyle
Innovative and life-saving startup CPRWrap launched
Innovative and life-saving startup CPRWrap is thrilled to announce its national launch and rebranding from Austin, Texas this week with Founder and CEO Felicia Jackson at the helm. CPRWrap is a first-aid tool that is used for performing CPR in a matter of seconds with a disposable, translucent overlay that guides you through the four American Heart Association recommended steps. In […]
| Innovative and life-saving startup CPRWrap is thrilled to announce its national launch and rebranding from Austin, Texas this week with Founder and CEO Felicia Jackson at the helm. CPRWrap is a first-aid tool that is used for performing CPR in a matter of seconds with a disposable, translucent overlay that guides you through the four American Heart Association recommended steps. In addition to the instructions, CPRWrap has an attached one-way valve mouth barrier and visual hand placements for proper compression. CRPWrap is available in three different sizes for infants (ages 12 months and under), children (ages 1 – 8) and adults (ages 8 and up). The product is $14.99per unit and is currently available for purchase through Walmart’s online store here and online at www.cprwrap.com. |
| Jackson first conceived CPRWrap after a terrifying near-death experience when her two-year old son stopped breathing in the back seat of the car. Although Jackson was certified in CPR and has had a career as a medical professional, the traumatic nature of the situation made her freeze. Luckily Jackson’s husband jumped into action and was able to save their son’s life, but it made her realize that there was a serious need for a backup plan when someone stops breathing. Thus, CPRWrap was born. “I started CPRWrap because I did not want another parent to witness and be helpless when someone’s life hung in the balance,” said Jackson. “My vision for CPRWrap extends so far that I can no longer see where it ends. A few years ago my life consisted of taking care of my family – now the world is my family and I have much work to do. Everyone deserves a chance to live.” |
| CPRWrap Founder Felicia Jackson Even people experienced in CPR can forget their training in stressful situations. CPRWrap makes it possible for anyone to effectively perform CPR at a moment’s notice. With over 20 years of medical experience in acute inpatient rehab, outpatient care and home health care, Jackson is now applying her knowledge to make performing CPR less intimidating and accessible to everyone. CPR Wrap has already partnered with the United States Department of Energy and Skillstrain in South Africa, with other distributors in Italy, Spain, Peru, London and Australia. The company is now in the process of partnering with school systems, hospitals and airlines. Walmart was one of the very first partners to provide the product with an online retail platform. “We were invited to the Heartland Summit – a convening focused on economic growth in the American Heartland – where we shared our story, met other entrepreneurs and got inspired to grow our business and think big,” said Jackson. “For example, our product is now selling on Walmart.com.” |
Since the soft launch of CPRWrap in 2015 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Jackson has presented two TEDx talks, auditioned for Shark Tank, won Startup of the Year in Chattanooga, Tennessee and won Urban Leagues Emerging Business of the Year award. The product was featured in Business Insider, JEMS medical magazine, Hypepotamus and Black Enterprise Magazine.
Through CPRWrap, Jackson is also currently part of Austin-based startup accelerator program Techstars, which is the reason she is launching from the Texas innovation boom town.
“I had been told ‘no’ so many times, I could not fathom a prestigious accelerator like Techstars wanting me or my company,” said Jackson. “Techstars did not look past me, but saw what I could accomplish if given a chance. All you need is a purpose, passion and determination to get things done. We are so honored to have been chosen to be a part of this accelerator, where only one percent of the applicants are accepted. Being involved in Techstars has renewed my mission to grow CPRWrap into a nationally recognized brand.”