illo: Making Quality Rest Accessible Wherever You Are
Both founders of illo struggled with sleep all their lives, so they designed a wearable solution.
Many people struggle to sleep every night. Light, noise, travel and unfamiliar places all can contribute to not being able to fall asleep. Awareness has grown around the importance of sleep and its impact on overall wellness. People are looking for products that give them a good night’s sleep.
illo was founded by two lifelong sufferers of sleep problems. Ron and David created their company to focus on helping people like them. They have designed the illo wearable sleep companion to help people find the immersive rest support they desire.
A personal problem that inspired a business
Founders David and Ron have problems falling asleep. David needs complete darkness to fall asleep, while Ron has trouble sleeping if there is light and sound nearby. Their issues are common, and many people deal with the everyday frustration of either falling asleep or staying asleep.
Like many, David and Ron wanted to find a solution to their sleep problems. Ron couldn’t sleep if his wife was watching television. If David woke up, he often couldn’t fall back to sleep and often pulled the pillow over his head.
Together, they decided to create a practical solution.
“Our mission is to elevate your sleep anywhere life takes you, at home, on a long flight, or anywhere in between,” says Ron, the co-founder of illo.
A new method for sleep support
The traditional eye mask or travel pillow is the usual default solution for most people who struggle to sleep at home or while traveling. These two products were the starting point. The goal was to make something that was comfortable, effective, and easy to take anywhere.
The first product that illo released is the 2-in-1, 360° design. It was designed to block light and external noise, creating a fully enclosed sensory environment. The cushioned 2-in-1 is designed for everyday use and can be taken on trips so you can sleep anywhere.
The 2-in-1 wraps entirely around the head, blocking light, muffling sound and creating a gentle compression that helps your body switch off. It was built to be more than just an eye mask. Rather, it was designed as a cocoon.
Designed for modern lifestyles and travel
Today, people have busy schedules that include travel, long commutes, shift work and flexible work environments. People try to catch sleep whenever they can, but sleeping outside the home can be difficult. A red-eye, a conference hotel, an office couch at noon—illo was designed for these places, where sleep feels impossible.
For those looking for portable wellness solutions, illo was intentionally designed to help people sleep during air travel, road trips, office breaks and long train commutes, as well as at home and in hotels.
A mission focused on better rest anywhere
“We envision a future where nothing gets in the way of great sleep, and everyone can recharge fully, wherever they are,” says Ron. The company believes that when you rest well, everything else opens up.
