Ekster first emerged in 2017 from the ambitions of Dutch friends Olivier Momma and Rick Stolk, united by their studies stateside and frustration with the traditional wallet. During their time together in a US Fulbright program, they observed how antiquated leather billfolds poorly served today’s tech-driven lifestyles. People now load their wallets with cards and devices only to fumble organizing the contents.

Fueled by over $350K raised via Kickstarter crowdsourcing, Momma and Stolk set their sights on wholly rethinking the wallet for the 21st century. They vowed to engineer smart, streamlined accessories effortlessly integrating modern necessities from cash to smartphones. Their inaugural Parliament Wallet 2017 resulted in a sleek aluminum cardholder with a quick-access trigger, RFID protection, and a solar-powered Bluetooth tracker to find misplaced belongings in real-time.

Propelled by the breakout success of the Parliament, Ekster has spent the last 5 years cementing itself as the premier smart accessories brand. The product range has ballooned to include trackable backpacks, dopp kits, and mini wallets crafted from premium leather and aircraft-grade aluminum. Ekster continues to push boundaries in the market by baking cutting-edge utility into accessory staples once ignored by innovation.

Behind the scenes, the bootstrap business has multiplied to over 40 employees across 11 countries. After consecutive years of doubling sales, Ekster crossed $25 million in 2021 revenue – a milestone that cemented its standing as the global top-selling smart wallet maker.

While committed to scaling, the brand remains fixed on sustainable practices, from solar charging to recycled textiles. As a certified B Corporation, Ekster models ethical business for the digital era with partnerships alongside like-minded brands and personalities like soccer superstar Lionel Messi. Five years in, the Dutch upstart continues to merge performance and principles through progressive accessories engineered for life on the move.