Alan Tsao, B.S. '11, founder and owner of Tsao Baltimore, a maker of luxury watches all designed by Tsao and assembled locally, successfully launched a Kickstarter campaign to generate sales for his second product line. With well over $100,000 in pre-order sales in under three hours, Tsao will introduce the line, known as the Torsk-Diver, in a limited run of less than 900 copies in two finishes later this year.

"We had an incredible first day and 29 more to come. We are still in disbelief but very thankful for all the incredible supporters backing our Kickstarter project. The hard part is still to come, as we continue the momentum and start promoting the watch to new audiences," said Tsao, a graduate of the University of Baltimore's Merrick School of Business. "UB and the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation have enhanced my knowledge of entrepreneurship and my ability to operate a successful business."

It’s About Time: Warfield Interview with Alan Tsao, Founder of Tsao Baltimore

Tsao said Kickstarter is a proven way to connect with and retain customers and ensure sales. The 2016 winner of UB's Leonard and Phyllis Attman Competitive Business Prize has had remarkable success using the platform, which blends the best of social networks and specific interests (such as high-end watches) together in one place. Tsao also spends significant time on video and still photography to showcase his products, and he maintains the company's singular presence across the web.

The new watch line is named after the World War II-era USS Torsk, a decommissioned submarine docked in Baltimore's Inner Harbor and open to the public for tours. Tsao said the Torsk-Diver, available in bronze or steel, is suitable for diving to 1,000 feet and came to life after a year of design and prototyping. It is a self-winding timepiece that includes a range of leather, rubber or steel straps, and houses an automatic movement manufactured by Citizen.

Tsao added that a portion of net proceeds from the Kickstarter effort will be donated to the Historic Ships in Baltimore organization, to continue maintenance of the submarine.

Read about Tsao’s success as a luxury watchmaker and entrepreneur.

Learn more about the Torsk-Diver.

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