They promised truly wireless audio before Apple entered the scene. But despite the early hype, Kanoa vanished and left backers in the dark.
The Rise of a Kickstarter Legend
In the golden age of wearable tech, Kanoa positioned itself as a game-changer. Long before Apple’s Air Pods arrived, Kanoa unveiled a bold vision: high-quality, truly wireless earbuds with a sleek charging case, water resistance, and sport-oriented features all priced under $200.
Led by Cival Van Der Lubbe, Kanoa didn’t go the typical Kickstarter route but instead launched a direct-to-consumer pre-order campaign through its website, bolstered by social media and influencer promotions.
They caught attention with a compelling pitch and cutting-edge visuals that resonated with early tech adopters. The brand generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in pre-orders, attracting consumers eager to get in on the future of audio. Backers were sold on Kanoa’s promise to deliver innovation with startup agility.
Delays, Excuses, and Amazon Controversy
It didn’t take long before red flags emerged.
Kanoa’s first shipment was scheduled for late 2015, but that date came and went. The company cited design tweaks, firmware upgrades, and supply chain bottlenecks in their email updates. Still, delays continued into 2016 and 2017.
As some backers waited, rumors emerged that units might be headed to Amazon or other retailers -though this was never officially confirmed. More damaging was the sense that Kanoa was prioritizing new buyers over fulfilling older commitments.
The most devastating moment came when tech YouTuber Cody Crouch (iTwe4kz) published a hands-on review of an early Kanoa unit. He criticized the earbuds for poor sound quality, unreliable connectivity, and weak build quality and then revealed that Kanoa had allegedly asked him to take the review down.
Shortly after, the company’s online presence went silent.
Public Backlash and Financial Collapse
Kanoa’s digital disappearance was sudden and absolute.
Their website went down. Social media accounts stopped posting. Backers and customers who had placed pre-orders began reporting bounced emails and unanswered support tickets.
Eventually, an email circulated to customers from the company stating that Kanoa was officially shutting down, citing the negative review and ongoing challenges with product development and funding.
No refunds were issued. No follow-up communication was made. The company had essentially vanished, leaving customers out of pocket and frustrated.
Founder Net Worth in 2025
Cival Van Der Lubbe, the founder and public face of Kanoa, has remained largely absent from the tech scene since the company’s collapse.
As of 2025, there are no verified reports of new business ventures, public speaking appearances, or updated LinkedIn activity under his name.
Given the total shutdown of the company, lack of venture capital recovery, and unresolved customer claims, Van Der Lubbe’s estimated net worth is assumed to be negligible. There are no credible indications that he financially benefited from Kanoa’s shutdown.
Founder Profile: Cival Van Der Lubbe
Cival Van Der Lubbe was the founder of Kanoa and the visionary behind the company’s early push into the wireless audio market. Inspired by the limitations of wired earbuds, he set out to design a cutting-edge product that could compete with tech giants even before they entered the race.
However, his lack of experience in hardware logistics, customer service infrastructure, and crisis communication ultimately contributed to the company’s downfall. After the product review controversy and internal development challenges, Van Der Lubbe and his team pulled the plug without addressing the thousands of unfulfilled orders.
Since the company’s closure, Van Der Lubbe has not made any public statements or launched follow-up ventures in the consumer tech space.
A Legacy of Warnings
Kanoa remains a defining example of how overpromising, underdelivering, and disappearing without accountability can damage trust in the tech and crowdfunding ecosystems.
Key takeaways from Kanoa’s story:
- Great branding isn’t enough — products must work.
- Communication is critical — silence leads to backlash.
- Transparency builds loyalty — and its absence destroys it.
- Crowdfunding (even off-platform) carries real responsibility.
Kanoa is now cited alongside Coolest Cooler, Zano Drone, and Lily Camera as one of the most infamous failures in pre-order history.
FAQ
Q: Who was the founder of Kanoa?
A: Cival Van Der Lubbe is listed as the founder and CEO of Kanoa during its active years.
Q: Did Kanoa ever deliver their earbuds?
A: A few pre-production units were sent, but most customers never received a final product.
Q: Why did Kanoa shut down?
A: After delays and a damaging YouTube review, the company cited development challenges and ceased operations.
Q: Did anyone get a refund?
A: No. Kanoa did not refund customers before closing down, and legal recourse was limited.
Q: Is Kanoa coming back?
A: No. As of 2025, the brand is defunct, and the founder has remained silent.
