Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Cloud
    • Cloud
    • Mobile
    • Networking

    Microsoft Backs Home Automation Startups

    By
    Pedro Hernandez
    -
    August 13, 2014
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin
      Microsoft backs home automation startups

      Microsoft and American Family Insurance have announced which firms they are backing as part of a home automation startup accelerator program launched two months ago.

      During Microsoft’s Global Startup Day event in San Francisco on June 17, the companies unveiled a new Microsoft Ventures Accelerator at the software giant’s Redmond, Wash., campus. One aim of the initiative is to help commercialize safety-enhancing smart home innovations.

      Dan Reed, managing director of American Family Ventures, said in a statement that the program would help “early-stage companies bring new products and services to market that can make our policyholders’ homes and lives safer.” For Microsoft, it’s a chance to establish a foothold in the burgeoning market for Internet of things (IoT) solutions.

      “The Internet of things, and home automation in particular, is rapidly emerging,” said Steve Guggenheimer, corporate vice president of developer experience and evangelism for Microsoft, in an Aug. 13 announcement. “With consumer demand growing for solutions that are intuitive, connected and affordable, there are tremendous opportunities for new players in the space.”

      The field is also attracting its share of tech investors. Home automation companies are raking in an estimated 21 percent of all funding being poured into IoT, according to private equity and venture capital research firm PitchBook.

      After a two-month selection process and a pouring over of 400 applications, Microsoft narrowed down the hopefuls to a “diverse group” of 10 startups. According to Microsoft Ventures, the list of companies and technologies includes the following:

      1. Chai Energy: Delivers real-time energy understanding—from the whole house to individual appliances.

      2. Heatwork: The first fully electronic, connected, water heater that conserves water and energy in any application.

      3. Neura: A platform that provides intelligent experiences between users and their connected environments with devices that gain contextual awareness and adaptive learning.

      4. Novi Security: Portable smart-security system to seamlessly track activities across the home.

      5. Reemo: A wrist-worn, gesture control wearable, interoperable interface for both conventional appliances and more recent connected homes.

      6. Plum: WiFi enabled light-pads, smart plugs and outlets that let the users control lights and electronics from a wall switch or from anywhere in the world using a smartphone.

      7. Red Balloon Security: Host-based defense for embedded devices.

      8. Scanalytics: A platform for understanding consumer behavior in the offline world.

      9. Sentri: An HD camera with built-in sensors that track a home’s vital stats and trends, allowing users to track temperature, humidity, air quality, weather and more.

      10. Wallflowr: Connected home technology that helps consumers prevent and significantly reduce risks related to accidental fires caused by ranges, stoves and ovens.

      Notably, Reemo, from Minneapolis-based Playtabase, blends aspects of two of today’s biggest trends in tech: wearables and IoT. The gesture-based Reemo band allows users to control PCs and simple electronics with wrist movements, which are transmitted to a host Windows or Mac PC.

      “We share the belief that over time the home automation trend will fundamentally change how we interact with and manage our homes—making them more efficient, communicative and ultimately safer,” said Guggenheimer. The companies are gearing up to show off their wares during a Demo Day event in December, he added.

      Pedro Hernandez
      Pedro Hernandez is a contributor to eWEEK and the IT Business Edge Network, the network for technology professionals. Previously, he served as a managing editor for the Internet.com network of IT-related websites and as the Green IT curator for GigaOM Pro.

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Android

      Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro: Durability for Tough...

      Chris Preimesberger - December 5, 2020 0
      Have you ever dropped your phone, winced and felt the pain as it hit the sidewalk? Either the screen splintered like a windshield being...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Why Data Security Will Face Even Harsher...

      Chris Preimesberger - December 1, 2020 0
      Who would know more about details of the hacking process than an actual former career hacker? And who wants to understand all they can...
      Read more
      Cybersecurity

      How Veritas Is Shining a Light Into...

      eWEEK EDITORS - September 25, 2020 0
      Protecting data has always been one of the most important tasks in all of IT, yet as more companies become data companies at the...
      Read more
      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×