Student launches innovative passport holder

Vinco Fly is the latest offering from BSc (Hons) Computing student, Ibbe (22), his brother, Jalil Raja (20) and friend Sam Andrews (21). The launch of the passport holder follows in the wake of their first success, the Vinco Wallet, which the brothers were inspired to create after Sam was a victim of RFID skimming.  Both products were made possible through crowdfunding investment.

Ibbe said: “The success of the wallet has been incredible. There have literally been tonnes of sales, including large bulk orders from the US.  We are, of course, so grateful to every investor who has got behind us - it was actually a customer who suggested we make a passport holder and, keen to meet our customers’ needs, that’s what we did.

“Thanks to the support from investors on crowdfunding website Kickstarter, our target amount was surpassed and we were able to launch our next venture.  To be completely honest, the amount of consumer interest shown in the new product did not surprise me given that identity theft is Britain’s fastest-growing white-collar crime; increasing at nearly 500% a year. This is largely caused by a general lack of knowledge about the technology which the ePassports hold.” 

Unlike traditional, bulky passport holders, the Vinco Fly’s stylish, slimline profile (half a millimetre thick) is made possible using a custom, dual-layered RFID film made from Tyvek - a tough, durable and environmentally responsible material which is proven more cost-effective and versatile than most fabrics.

Retailing at £15, the passport holders are available to pre-order at http://indiegogo.com/at/VincoFly  Ibbe added:  “We have manufactured the passport holders to mirror the design of the wallets, however we are currently looking to produce both of our products in leather to meet the demands of customers who say they would prefer a more traditional look.

“In the coming months, we intend to build up our company and expand under the Vinco Life brand.  With a few other ideas in mind that we’re keeping under wraps for now, we plan to innovate and simplify the lives of many more people.”

Vinco is designed, stitched and shipped by Clubit, a Leeds-based, online retailer and wholesaler, founded by a former Leeds Beckett student in 1999.