Microsoft this week revealed the 10 startups that will participate in its accelerator program that will focus on home automation.
The program was first revealed in June at the company's first Ventures Global Startup day in San Francisco, according to Tech Insider. The companies chosen for the accelerator are Chai Energy, Heatworks, Neura, Novi Security, Playtabase, Plum, Red Balloon Security, Scanalytics, Sentri, and Wallflowr.
Steven Guggenheimer, "chief evangelist" at Microsoft Developer Experience, shared the names of the startups in a blog post, discussing the popularity of the Internet of Things and Home Automation.
"Over the past two months, we met with companies across the country and dug through more than 400 applications - all to find the most promising startups, tackling the most challenging problems in home automation. [...] It is an amazing and diverse group," Guggenheimer wrote.
The program was developed partly as a way for Microsoft to compete with Google and Apple, companies that have been involved in home automation, USA Today reported.
The 10 startups were chosen out of more than 400 candidates to participate in the accelerator program, which is set to run from September to December of this year at Microsoft's campus in Redmond, Wash.
"The goal of this Accelerator is simple: to help a new generation of companies create smarter and safer homes," Guggenheimer said.
"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."
Chai Energy's smart energy meter delivers real-time understanding for whole house and individual appliances, and Heatworks' first fully connected water heater is capable of lowering costs for water and energy. Neura focuses on providing intelligent experiences between users and their connected environments, Novi Security provides a smart-security system for tracking activities at home, and Reemo has developed a wrist-worn interface that lets wearers use gestures for controlling conventional appliances and home gadgets, PC Magazine reported.
Plum lets consumers use their smartphones to control lights and electronics from a wall with the company's smart plugs and outlets. Red Balloon Security provides defense for embedded devices, and Scanalytics focuses on understanding consumer behavior about offline activities. Sentri creates cameras and sensors that let users track their homes' temperature, humidity, air quality, weather and other factors, and Wallflowr focuses on helping consumers prevent risks connected to accidental fires caused by ovens, stoves and ranges.
