Disruptive hardware startups face a unique set of challenges
as they progress through the stages of product development. Unlike pure software startups that can often
build their product in a vacuum, hardware startups almost always work with
partners and require outside vendors.
Manufacturers, 3D designers, and a ton of different specifics skills are
needed to accomplish the myriad of tasks that are part of hardware research and
development. Hardware companies that can
successful innovate and create disruptive products are desirable acquisitions,
with recent examples of Oculus Rift and Beatsrumored acquisition by Apple.
Hardware even played a staring role in Startup Alley at the Spring 2014 Tech Crunch Disrupt in
NYC.
The Internet of things is all about hardware. Open and low cost platforms for development
have exponentially expanding the possibilities for hardware startups and there
are a few really great ones. A few have
been acquired and surely there will be many more to come.
Here are 3 startups that are disrupting industries with
innovative hardware.
Cosmetics
3D printing is creating, literally, new things that never
before could be produced on demand. From
printed body parts to toys, and now. . . make-up. Every girls dream come true; and this girl is
disrupting a multi-billion dollar industry with her printer hack that was
demoed at this spring’s Tech Crunch Disrupt New York event. The Mink is creating the make-up-on-demand
market with their innovative piece of hardware.
I wouldn’t consider the Mink to be part of the internet of things, but
it is innovative hardware and it appeals to the same customer segment. The Mink has the potential to go mainstream
and the demo made it look pretty easy to use (which is critical)!
Mink is a printer that can take any web color (HEX) and
transform it into a custom shade of makeup.
I am not sure about the science behind it, but it is a pretty cool demo
and the form factor of the model made for one attractive piece of
hardware. They will need to figure out
how to make recurring revenue off of consumables and she may be regretting her
comment of commoditized pricing for those repeat purchase supplies. This could be very disruptive to a very well
established industry. Check out the demo
video here http://techcrunch.com/2014/05/05/mink-is-a-3d-printer-for-makeup/ Learn more about Mink at www.gracemink.com
Security
Performing the function of a security and health alert
wherever you go with your smart phone is one of the many reasons why TheDefender will be a device that you will not want to leave home without. This hardware technology combines a camera,
siren, pepper spray, and a 24/7 monitoring service to provide users with peace
of mind and the power to fight back and have a photo to prove it! As of May 17, 2014, this product is not
available but you can sign up on
the website to be notified when The Defender is available for order. (I am involved with this company)
The new market being created by The Defender is Everywhere
Security. Extending the concept of home
security, Everywhere Security is the health and safety alert service that
connects to the Defender, anywhere in the US or Canada.
Canary is another disruptive product that is a cool
product that was crowdfunded in a big way, raising $1.9+ Million on
Indiegogo.com. They are disrupting home
security and can be a central base for home automation . . . which brings us to
our third disruptive innovator which has created a market for
internet-connected-home-automation-hubs.
Home Automation
If you go to Smart Things website you might get the
impression that they are some big company.
Not really, they launched with a Kickstarter campaign back in 2012. They were ahead of the curve on Internet of
things and they put themselves right in the middle of the eco-system. This innovator is disrupting the home by
putting a layer of connectivity into almost anything. If it has a power plug you can control it
with Smart Things. The almost endless
possibilities for home automation are available from the Smart Things here: https://shop.smartthings.com/#/
Smart Things created a new market by avoiding the glamor of
features and focusing on connectivity.
Even sites like IFTTT.com offer integrations with smart things that can
trigger all sorts of digital interactions.
The possibilities for connected homes are forever greater if there is an
open standard for connectivity.
Big companies like IBM and Cisco are getting in on the
internet of things too. There is a ton
of information online about the trends and opportunities for Internet of things
companies. These three featured are just
a snap shot of the innovation that is occurring in startups from around the
world.
