The Mstick LED Light launched with a futuristic vision of smart lighting, promising users a sleek, multifunctional tool for daily life. But despite its impressive start, the Mstick eventually faded into digital silence.
Let’s take a deeper look at what happened to this once-promising innovation.
The Spark of Innovation: What Was Mstick?
The Mstick LED Light was designed by MOLT AMERICA INC., a tech-forward company with roots in Seoul and Silicon Valley. Their goal was to transform the way we interact with light in our daily lives.
Rather than being a typical flashlight, Mstick was created as a smart LED stick that users could control through a mobile app. It could flash alerts, simulate sunlight for seasonal affective disorder, function as a bike signal, serve as a kitchen timer, or simply provide ambient lighting in a range of colors.
This versatility and minimalist design made it ideal for tech enthusiasts, commuters, creators, and anyone who wanted a little more from their lighting.
Meet the Founder: Tae-Hyoung Kim
The creative mind behind Mstick is Tae-Hyoung Kim, co-founder of MOLT AMERICA INC. A product designer by profession, Kim is known for combining clean aesthetics with purposeful functionality in his creations.
He envisioned Mstick as a lifestyle lighting tool that could adapt to multiple use cases through software. His background in industrial design and user-focused innovation helped shape Mstick’s elegant form and intuitive app experience.
Kim’s approach blended simplicity and versatility, aiming to make smart lighting more approachable, portable, and personal. Although Mstick didn’t achieve long-term success, it remains a testament to his design philosophy.
The Rise of a Kickstarter Legend
In 2015, MOLT launched Mstick on Kickstarter, presenting it as the future of portable lighting. The campaign attracted considerable attention, with 1,301 backers pledging over $110,000 and exceeding their initial goal.
Early praise focused on its elegant design, magnetic mounting options, Bluetooth connectivity, and customizable light patterns.
With press coverage from sites like Gizmodo and TechCrunch and a sleek campaign video, Mstick appeared destined for mass-market appeal.
Hitting the Market: Initial Success and Excitement
Shortly after shipping began, early adopters praised the product’s flexibility and build quality. Many users loved the ability to control the light’s function using the dedicated app.
It was considered a practical accessory for urban commuters, night cyclists, and even as a sleep aid.
Retail listings appeared on platforms like Amazon and eBay, and MOLT even hinted at future smart home integrations. But beneath the surface, cracks began to show.
Delays, Excuses, and Amazon Friction
Like many crowdfunded tech products, delays plagued the Mstick launch. Some backers reported late shipments and minimal updates from the team after the campaign closed.
Once the product reached broader platforms like Amazon, users began reporting inconsistencies, particularly with app connectivity, limited battery life, and unreliable charging.
For a product built on app control, software bugs were a deal-breaker for many. Some customers complained about poor customer support, and reviews on platforms like Amazon reflected growing dissatisfaction.
Public Backlash and Gradual Decline
While there was no major scandal or viral backlash, the enthusiasm surrounding Mstick quietly faded. Users who once praised its innovation began reporting that the product no longer functioned as expected or could no longer connect to updated smartphones.
App store reviews for the Mstick companion app dwindled, and there were few updates or bug fixes from the developers. Eventually, the app began vanishing from app stores altogether.
This lack of post-launch support likely accelerated its disappearance from mainstream retail channels.
Current Status: Is Mstick Still Available?
As of 2025, the Mstick is no longer actively produced or marketed. Its official website has gone inactive, and the product is only sporadically available through resale sites like eBay or third-party Amazon sellers, often at inflated prices.
There are no official announcements of discontinuation, but the silence from MOLT speaks volumes. The once-promising light stick now exists mostly as a cautionary tale in the crowdfunding community.
The Legacy of Mstick: A Warning to Startups
Mstick’s journey offers important lessons for hardware startups.
Great design alone isn’t enough. Sustained success requires ongoing support and updates. Hardware that relies on mobile apps needs regular compatibility improvements. Transparent communication with customers is vital, especially after launch.
Despite its early brilliance, Mstick now represents the risks of crowdfunding-dependent tech ventures, where rapid excitement is often followed by a lack of long-term viability.
TL;DR
The Mstick LED Light shined bright on Kickstarter but dimmed without long-term support, app updates, or sustained product development.
