ThingBlox is a Hungarian startup that develops small, hardware-based modules to provide secure communication to any kind of connected devices, without the need for extensive coding experience on the part of the end user.
The journey so far...
Joining Startupbootcamp IoT has been 'like riding a bullet train in Japan' according to CEO Gabor Borjan. The whirlwind of workshops, one-on-one consultations and meetings with potential customers and investors makes for an intensive experience, but the team has proved more than equal to the task. "It's an extremely fast paced, but it's very useful and we like going at this speed" says Gabor.
One area of research that has proven particularly valuable to the ThingBlox team is the creation of detailed and specific customer segmentation. With no major technical changes planned for the device at this time, they have instead placed high priority on exploring customer segmentation and allowing it to inform their business model.
Looking ahead...
Applying a business-focused approach to the Startupbootcamp IoT program has allowed Gabor and his colleagues to assess the strengths and weaknesses of their own team. Consequently, they have decided to prioritise recruiting a Business Development Manager to help them to take ThinkBlox to the next level.
"We are product developers" explains Gabor. "We understand that we need somebody with these skills."
Along with this recruitment drive, ThingBlox are also aiming to complete and produce their first batch of devices so that they can circulate them among other developers, who can begin playing and working with the product - hopefully setting them on the road to becoming paying customers. A new version of the device is also in the planning stage - giving Gabor and his colleagues no concerns about slowing down in the build-up to Demo Day...
We'll be continuing to check in with ThingBlox and the other Startupbootcamp participants over the coming weeks, so keep checking this space for more updates. You can also learn more about ThingBlox on their official website and on the Startupbootcamp website.