Startup Model – Messaging for Kids

THE MODEL: A toy which lets kids interact with parents. Parents need to download an app on their smartphones. Kids can use the toy to send and listen to messages form their parents and friends having a toy as well.   

STARTUP: Toymail (American startup)

WHAT I LIKE

Core Idea – A parent approved messaging tool for children.

Product Features – Children can send and receive voice messages by simply pressing a button on the toy. The toys can adjust the sounds which can be sent – children can filter their voice, the toy squeals when you toss it in the air and snores when you put it to sleep.

A Smart & Cute Toys – The toys come in different shapes and colours, making them very attractive for children. Also children need to buy toys. Clubbing messaging features solves 2 problems for parents.

Parental Control – Parents can control which contacts a child can send messages to.

CONCERNS

Pricing the Product – This is a concern as the premium the startup charges for the messaging features should be acceptable to parents.

Startup Model – Smart Bicycle Anti-Theft Solution

THE MODEL: A device which is attached to the rear wheel of a bicycle and is armed through a smartphone app. Theft attempts lead to an alarm and a stolen bike can be tracked in real time using GPS.

STARTUP: B.Guard (Bulgarian startup)

WHAT I LIKE

Core Idea – A lock combined with app to thwart bicycle theft attempts.

Benefits to Users – In case of an attempt, the device alerts the user through the app. Also the stolen bicycle can be tracked in real time using GPS. The device cannot be removed from the wheel and to remove the whole wheel, a special coded key will need to be used.

Targeting a Big Problem – Cycles are a major mode of transportation especially in the EU. Bicycle theft is big and genuine concern.

CONCERNS

Competition – The startup will need to price the product right to beat the existing products in the market. The smart features will give it a premium, which will need to priced right.

Startup Model – Wristbands for Lovers

THE MODEL: A wristband which can be used to transfer touch between 2 people. If 1 partner touches the wristband, the other partner wearing the band will feel it. No matter how far away they are, they will feel as if they touched each other’s hands. Also the band can be used a fitness activity tracker, a game controller or a smart alarm clock.

STARTUP: TapTap (American startup)

WHAT I LIKE

Core Idea – Wristband transferring a feeling of touch between lovers.

Novelty Value – A lot of customers would buy it for the novelty and emotional value of the idea. Also it offers users additional services like tracking user activity, acting as a smart alarm clock by suggesting the right amount of sleep and extending gaming experiences by acting as a controller.

Design – The wristbands are offered in multiple colors and have great designs on them. Also they are made up of a silicone and plastic material which is soft and comfortable for users.

CONCERNS

Competition – A user will not buy more than 1-2 wristbands. Hence the competition in the wristband space is very high. 

Startup Model – Sleep Enabler cum Tracker

THE MODEL: A smart wearable which uses brainwave insights and metrics to track and enhance sleep. The headband can track a user’s sleep patterns, induce dreams and also has an alarm clock inbuilt.

STARTUP: IWinks (American startup)

WHAT I LIKE

Core Idea – A headband to track and manage sleep patterns.

Benefits to Users – Users can get accurate sleep stats and tips using the AI algorithm. The band has a wake up alarm system which works through the app.

CONCERNS

Inadequate Solution – Today customers want complete solutions. The startup should use the sleep tracking feature and offer an end solution to a user, which is actionable and interesting to the latter. The smart alarm though is a solution in itself. 

Startup Model – Smart Camera for Peepholes

THE MODEL: A smart camera that attaches to peepholes and easily connects to home Wi-Fi to identify, inform, screen, and alert people to any outside presence.   

STARTUP: Peeple (American startup)

WHAT I LIKE

Core Idea – A smart camera to ensure that a door is not a blind spot anymore.

Ease of Use – The device is easy to install and connects to the home wifi, which powers the app.

CONCERNS

Competition – Big electronics brands entering this space will make it tough for the startup to sustain and grow. Licensing the technology to a big brand can enable the startup to use the resources and goodwill these brands carry with them.

Startup Model – Sleep Sensing Headphones

THE MODEL: Sleep sensing headphones combined with a mobile app for users to make them sleep better, easier, understand their sleep pattern and wake up fresher. Using brainwave sensors, the mobile app helps a user sleep by adjusting the audio. The intelligent alarm system analyses the perfect time to wake up the user and goes off at that time, ensuring that user gets a sound and complete sleep.

STARTUP: Kokoon (British startup)

WHAT I LIKE

Core Idea – An IoT startup offering smart headphones to analyse and better sleep patterns.

Product Features – The headphones senses when the user is sleepy and the app adjusts the audio to ensure the user is not disturbed. The headphones are comfortable and carry a tripe noise layer protection. The mobile app studies the sleeping patterns of the user and also carries an audio library to help you sleep. Also a smart alarm rings when the system feels that the user has had a sound and complete sleep.

A Complete Sleep Solution – Using headphones and an app, the startup is able to give a user a solution with complete sleeping/waking support and analytics.

Startup Model – Smart Door Lock

THE MODEL: A smart door lock which can be easily installed and managed through Bluetooth and an app as well. The lock opens when your Bluetooth phone comes in close contact. Alternatively a Nuki keychain FOB is also provided in case you do not have a smartphone (mainly for children).

STARTUP: Nuki (Austrian startup)

WHAT I LIKE

Core Idea – An IoT startup offering a smart door lock for better convenience and security.

Product Features – The door lock has some amazing features – easy installation on all types of doors, managed using an app configured through Bluetooth, a keychain Bluetooth device for children, security control using the app, a Nuki bridge device to control the lock using wifi, encryption to enhance safety, an API which can be added to your home security system etc. It genuinely is the ‘Door Lock of the Future’.

CONCERNS

Expanding outside Europe – Since the lock profiles change in different parts of the world, the startup will need to study and design based on which geography it wishes to enter.

Competition - Big companies selling electronics have also entered this space and will pose a threat to the startup.

Startup Model – Creating IoT Applications

THE MODEL: A platform for users to create a professional IoT application without writing any code. The application created can be deployed and used completely as per the user’s wish.

STARTUP: M2MGO (German startup)

WHAT I LIKE

Core Idea – An IoT creation application for all types of users be it a startup looking to create a prototype, a could platform vendor or a systems integrator.

Freemium Model – Users can create a prototype without incurring any expense. More advanced usage by device vendors is chargeable.

Easy to Use – Users can create applications without writing code. Also this can be done in a very short time frame with minimum investment (in the case of advanced usage).

CONCERNS

Competition – Competing with IoT application vendors especially for bigger applications will be very difficult for the startup.