Startup Model – Smart Device to Tag & Track Anything

THE MODEL: A device which can be tagged to any object (like keys, bags etc.) to be able to track it from your smartphone using GPS. Other features of the device include clicking a selfie, calling to and from your i-phone etc.

STARTUP: Lupo (Scottish startup)

WHAT I LIKE

Core Idea – A device to tag and track any item.

Benefits to Users – The device can be used for locating your lost items. Also clicking a selfie and calling to and from an i-phone are additional features built into the app. The device uses GPS to track items. Also it has a long lasting battery (of upto 2 years).

Targeting a Big Problem – Losing items is a common problem faced by everyone, thereby ensuring a very large target market.

The Lupo SDK – The SDK can be used by different applications to develop their own ideas on top of the Lupo hardware. This is a paid service and can be customized for a client.

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.