Tried, Tested, And Trusted. Since 2002.
Higher Ground was founded in 2002 by award-winning industrial designer Mark Zadvinskis and his former University of Michigan professor, Shaun Jackson. After graduating, Mark joined Shaun as a teaching assistant before the two became business partners, designing innovative products for clients including L.L. Bean, Harley-Davidson, Nike, Herman Miller, and many others.
Working on a university campus, they recognized early that technology would soon become an essential part of every student's education. They also saw a problem: laptops were becoming more mobile, but the products designed to protect them often sacrificed usability.
Driven by a passion for thoughtful design and real-world problem solving, they set out to create something different, protective solutions that not only safeguard devices during transport, but also make them more functional, accessible, and easier to use every day. That philosophy became the foundation of Higher Ground and continues to guide every product we create.
Driven by Necessity. Built on Innovation.
In 1998, out of a need for a better way to carry and use their laptop, Mark and Shaun designed a carrying case that transforms into a portable office.
This new product, called the Lapdog, quickly found it’s way into countless magazines, catalogs and even the MoMa collection in NYC. To this day, Higher Ground continues to invent, develop, test, and manufacture products that combine beautiful design with long-lasting functionality. Designed to use every day.
Designed to perform. Designed for life.
Higher Ground's Company Timeline
1995
A Partnership Begins
Upon graduating from the University of Michigan, Co-founder Mark Zadvinskis joins his former professor’s industrial design firm, Shaun Jackson Design, where together, they design for such clients as Harley Davidson, LL Bean, Nike, Herman Miller, and more.
1998
The Lapdog is Born
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.
2001
Seeing a New Trend
Being on a college campus, Mark and Shaun recognized that soon all students would be learning from and using technology in education.
2001
First Edu Focused Case is Designed
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.
2002
Higher Ground is Born
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.
2002
The Laptrap
The Laptrap, the education version of the Lapdog, was next.
As one of the first work-out-of-the-case solution for education technology, the Laptrap transformed instantly to create a full-time protective, portable work environment.
2005
The Shuttle - A Compact Always-On
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.
2008
Netbooks Arrive & so does the Mini Shuttle
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.
2011
Constant Evolution
Laptops are getting thinner and lighter, so we went back to the drawing board to design a new version of the Shuttle.
We focused on slimming down the design and cutting the weight while maintaining the high-level of protection and functionality we’re known for.
2011
Chromebooks Arrive
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.
2013
iPads
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.
2017
Shuttle 3.0
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.
2019
Edtech Awards
For our timeless and innovative design, EdTech Digest recognized Higher Ground as a trendsetter (4 years in a row) 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.
2021
CleanShell
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.
2025
VaultED Phone Case
In an effort to help reduce distractions in schools and make it easier for schools to enforce their cell phone policies, the VaultEd was created.
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