Don't carry germs around. SHOP THE CLEANSHELL™ COLLECTION
Scroll down to see Higher Ground’s proud past and how we’ve evolved over the past 2 decades crafting products that move you to higher ground.
Founder Mark Zadvinskis joins his former professor’s industrial design firm, Shaun Jackson Design after graduating from the University of Michigan, where, together, they designed for such clients as Harley Davidson, LL Bean, Nike, Herman Miller, and more.
Finding it uncomfortable working with a hot laptop on your lap, Mark and Shaun invented a portable workplace, the Lapdog.
The Lapdog was met with critical acclaim, won the Industrial Design Excellence Awards (IDEA), and was featured in the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) store collection.
Being on a college campus, Mark and Shaun recognized that soon all students would be learning from and using technology in education.
The Datakeeper was created as the first case tailored to the needs of the education industry.
Not only did the Datakeeper secure your laptop, it also included a 3-ring binder and organizer that ensured free airflow to keep a laptop cool and prevent overheating while you worked right from the case.
.png)
Higher Ground is founded with the mission to design elevated protective solutions for technology that are uncompromising in functionality, design, and durability.
To keep laps and laptop cool, we invented the Cooldeck surface to elevate laptops from the bottom of the case for ventilation and air circulation.
Laptrap, the education version of the Lapdog, was born.
As one of the first work-out-of-the-case solution for education technology, the Laptrap transformed instantly to create a completely functional portable work environment.
With the goal of saving space in mind, we went back to the drawing board to redesign the Laptrap and introduced the Shuttle.
The Shuttle would go on to set the standard in protection and convenience to this day.
The Mini Shuttle was introduced to meet the needs of the ever increasing Netbooks that were introduced in 2007, making the Shuttle smaller, horizontal, and, of course, very cute.
Never ones to rest on our laurels, we went back to the drawing board to launch a new version of the Shuttle.
We focused on slimming down the design and cutting the weight while maintaining the high-level of protection we’re known for.
The Chromebook launched and became quickly the go-to computer for the education space.
Due to our design philosophy of creating bags with universal fit, our customers experienced little downtime in equipping their fresh new Chromebooks with the necessary protection.
With the popularity of the iPad ever growing, we launched new tablet sleeves with our patented X-strap - the strap that holds your hand, allowing the tablet to be held comfortably and securely.
Owing to its design and functionality, variations of the X-strap came to market shortly after its release.
Shuttle 3.0, the latest version of the Shuttle, launches, which pushes the boundaries of weight to protection ratio.
For its design and functionality, the Shuttle 3.0 was recognized as a Cool Tool Finalist by EdTech Awards and EdTech Digest the following year.
In striving to best serve our customers and end users, we launched a reseller portal. In 2020, we invested further in the success of our resellers and reintroduced the program as the Peak Performer Channel Partner Program.
For our timeless and innovative design, EdTech Digest recognized Higher Ground as a trendsetter in the EdTech space.
This recognition further solidified and validated our approach to designing products that are both built for everyday use while lasting a lifetime.
Committed to sustainability, we examined the materials we source and invested in incorporating natural, renewable, and recycled materials to reduce landfill waste and our carbon footprint.
In the spirit of service and as a response to COVID-19, Higher Ground donated cases to students all over the nation to help protect their equipment as they learn from home.
This initiative led us to formalize our community service offerings by launching the Helping Hands program.
As the iPad continued to gain popularity while shifting to work-from-home or home-schooling environments, Higher Ground released a new version of the PROTEx™ Folio Line. This slimmer design, with the patented X-strap system combines style, mobility, and durability to provide the ultimate comfort and maximum security. Also equipped with a hard cover that is cleanable and non-slip, staying put where you want it.
Once again, EdTech Digest, recognized Higher Ground as a trendsetter finalist in the EdTech space for our innovative protection solutions.
Our continued dedication to providing the highest quality materials and keeping students devices protected and germ free, we launched our CleanShell™ cases. Available for our Datakeeper, Capsule, Shuttle, and Elevate collections, this ultra-durable and easy-to-clean fabric helps combat against germs, soiling, and wear & tear.
With versatility and affordability in mind, Higher Ground developed the Elements Collection. The Elements Trace and Plus sleeves offer more protection than neoprene while the lightweight Scotchgard-coated fabric keeps devices safe and out of the elements.
In 2022 we released some exciting new products with the launch of our Elevate & ShockGUARD collections at FETC and TCEA. With the continued development of these collections and the creation of new ones, we cannot wait for you to see what we have in store for 2023.
For our development of the CleanShell™ fabric, EdTech Digest awarded Higher Ground, once again, as an EdTech trendsetter finalist.
This year we have also announced our partnership with Techcycle Solutions to provide Protection Plans to customers who are interested in our ShockGUARD, Datakeeper, and Shuttle cases. Techcycle's protection plans are cost-effective and custom-designed to meet your organization’s specific needs. Learn More.
As they did in 1995, Higher Ground’s products today embody the thoughtfulness, practicality, and longevity that offers users freedom of worry and freedom of movement.
With an eye towards meeting the needs of future generations, we’re excited about what the future has in store for us and how the journey further shapes our story as we strive to fulfill our mission of setting the standard by which others follow through meticulously crafted products designed for life and designed to last a lifetime.
Designed to perform. Designed for life.
.png)
.svg){kind=small}
