CEO Builds Phone-Free Movement in 55 Countries

When Graham Dugoni watched smartphones take over daily life 14 years ago, he didn't write an angry blog post or delete his social media. He invented a solution that would reach 55 countries.

His creation was beautifully simple: a locked pouch that holds phones in designated areas like classrooms and concerts. Users keep their devices with them but can't access them until they reach an unlocking station in approved zones.

In 2014, Dugoni launched Yondr to help create phone-free spaces anywhere they're needed. The company now works with schools in all 50 states and powers distraction-free experiences for artists like Dave Chappelle, Bruno Mars, and Madonna.

Dugoni admits starting a business felt strange for someone fighting against tech overload. He initially considered working through universities but realized only a company could create change at the scale he envisioned.

"What I saw was kind of impending nihilism, the sense that everyone is going to be inundated with media, and it's going to hollow out the meaning in your life," he explains. His response was to give people back control of their attention.

The approach isn't without challenges. Some schools on tight budgets have chosen simpler solutions like phone lockers, and students occasionally break into the pouches.

Why This Inspires

Dugoni's journey mirrors other purpose-driven founders who've wrestled with using business to create social change. Like Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard, he's navigating the tension between capitalism and idealism, growing a company while staying true to a mission that goes beyond profit.

The real win isn't just the pouches. It's the millions of moments Yondr has helped create where people look up from their screens and connect with the world around them.