Funding the Internet of Things in the UK

Funding the internet of things @iotwatch designswarm.com goodnightlamp.com

CEO of Tinker London 2007-2010

Good Night Lamp 2012-

designswarm 2011-

When we embed connectivity in everyday objects. What happens when those objects are designed with an understanding of the affordances of the web.

What is the internet of things?

Developing these kinds of products is •  More costly than building websites

& apps (there’s a product!) •  More costly than just a product

(electronics design & certification) The minimum viable budget is too close to the equity gap.

The cost of innovation

Seed / Grants Incubators

Crowdfunding

VCs

Angels

Exit

What you actually need

0 50K 100K 500K 1M

Raising money

Seed / Grants Incubators

Crowdfunding

VCs

Angels

What you actually need

0 50K 100K 500K 1M

Raising money in the UK

Seed / Grants Incubators

Crowdfunding

VCs

Angels

What you actually need

0 50K 100K 500K 1M

Raising money in the USA

The UK’s advantage?

Manufacturing power Design talent Web & Software talent

The UK’s challenge?

£1M in funding isn’t enough when most early stage startups need between £150-£250K each.

Thank you. alex@designswarm.com @iotwatch designswarm.com goodnightlamp.com