When five of its graduates built companies based on smart devices last year, Boomtown Boulder took the hint and embraced the Internet of Things.
By May, the tech accelerator plans to open what is likely the area’s first IoT lab to help startups build devices and apps that connect to the Net. Comcast Labs, a partner, is providing resources and an undisclosed amount of money.
“In the future, even if you believe you are just an Internet or a mobile app company, you’re going to have to make sure your technology plays with this myriad of new platforms and devices,” said Toby Krout, Boomtown’s managing director. “We think it is our responsibility to have a lab where our companies have a place to work on the protocols.”
The Internet of Things space is already quite large. Market-research firms such as Gartner forecast 4.9 billion IoT devices will be in use this year.
Recent IoT products from Boomtown include Chui, a smart doorbell that uses facial recognition so homeowners can go keyless; Parkifi, a parking sensor and app for parking companies to track open spots; and Wuf, a smart dog collar that allows owners to talk and listen to their dogs when apart.
IoT labs are sparse but not unheard of. A handful of universities, private companies and other efforts offer resources to students and companies wanting to test devices and software.
The Boomtown building, 2060 Broadway, is home to its tech accelerator, which runs three-month programs twice a year, and a co-working space, previously known as Scrib. The 5,500-square-foot facility will accommodate the new lab but also retain the accelerator and co-working spaces.
The lab will include design and software stations and equipment such as 3-D printers, scanners and soldering tools. It also plans to have a library of IoT devices — tablets, smart thermostats, doorbells, light bulbs and appliances — so developers can test their software or devices on the existing world of Internet things.
Users won’t need to be a member. It’ll be more like a makerspace — where people collaborate mostly for fun — but with less focus on hobby and tinkering and more on purpose for those who need a 3-D printer to build a prototype or test an app.
Construction begins soon. The lab hopes to open by mid-May to coincide with Boulder Startup Week.
Tamara Chuang: 303-954-1209, tchuang@ denverpost.com or twitter.com/Gadgetress
