Internet of Things – Maybe I'm crazy

A Match Made in IoT Heaven

Today, we have 2 unique technologies positioned to take center stage in the IoT revolution. These technologies are powerful wireless communication technologies that each have a place of their own.

On the one hand, we have Bluetooth. Bluetooth is a 20 year old technology that has dramatically changed the way devices communicate with each other all around the world. It has become a standard of operating in personal area networks and a ubiquitous technology around the world. In this year alone, there will be 4 billion (with a b) devices shipped using Bluetooth. That is a huge number! The Bluetooth standard has become known for its lightweight protocol, seamless connectivity, and inexpensive module cost. More

10 Principles for Design in the Age of AI

Internet of Things, Startup

Good design solves an important human problem
Design is context specific (it doesn’t follow history)
Design that enhances human ability (not that replaces human ability)
Good design is discreet (frictionless)
Good design works for everyone every day
Good design is a platform that grows with people’s needs
Good design learns and predicts human behavior
Good design brings about products and services that build long-term relationships
Good design accelerates the adoption of new ideas
Good design removes complexity from life.

CES 2018 Trends and Predictions from Healthcare Startup CEO

Internet of Things, Lessons

Beyond showcasing my product (see more here), I was able to connect with so many other companies doing innovative things in a variety of spaces from AR to wearables to robotics. I am hoping that some of these companies will become collaborators or even partners in the future, but even just seeing what they had to offer was exciting.

My top 5 coolest things I saw

Hypervsn – Hologram

Little Man, Big City

Internet of Things, Startup

They said I couldn’t do it. They said I was crazy. They said stop before you start. I said let me try.

It’s been 3 months and I am feeling good. I have found an office space, received a few investments, had some not so good days and some out of this world days. I have engrained myself in the Chicago startup community and getting deeper every day.

Don’t pay $700 for a conference to listen to speakers, talk to the speakers

Internet of Things, Startup

Today, I went to an IoT conference in Chicago called the IoT Summit. It was an event put on by the Illinois Technology Association (ITA) and featured over 80 speakers from the top IoT companies like Aeris Communications, HoneyWell, Google, LoRa, Baxter and many others. I went to learn about trends in the market, validate my knowledge and make connections. Being one of the youngest people in attendance, I made it my mission to stand out form the crowd. Many people that attend these types of conferences are there because they are representatives of multi-million dollar companies and have meetings with people who are also attending the conference. Yet for me, it is an opportunity to learn, meet new people, and make a name for myself in an area I am so passionate about.

With my love for networking, emerging technology, and my company’s unique technology, I was able to thrive. One things that has made me successful in the past at large conferences like this one, is to not only listen and take notes during the sessions but to follow up and speak with the speakers/panelists. I believe there are many benefits to attending conferences, yet the largest and most untapped is to have the follow-up conversations with the speakers. I often pick 1 topic from their talk, form a few questions around it, then go start the conversation. At this conference, I was amazed that only about 10 people throughout the entire day engaged in these types of follow up conversations. With over 500 people in attendance that is a very small percentage of prime engagement. The amazing part about connecting with the speakers after their talk is that you have no idea where the conversation will lead, maybe to an investment, a follow up call/meeting, or even an introduction.

Will the Apple Watch be the king?

Internet of Things, Startup

We have entered into a holding period, like the time in which all the boats wait for a lock to open, to go in get filled and move into the big sea. This period is here because the Apple Watch has moved into the “hype” picture. The 3 year technology product is shifting from a wearable for geeks to a wearable with “real” value. It is not there yet, but on it’s way. For years, the Apple Watch has been thrown to the side as a cool gadget with no real value, yet recently with the focus in healthcare and in research, Apple has shifted its value proposition to pushing the iwatch as “an ICU on your wrist.” It is positioned to be the end all, be all of devices to monitor, track, predict and diagnose you remotly.

As a technology nerd, BIG Apple fan, and healthcare entrepreneur, I do not buy all of this hype. I do not believe that the Apple Watch will be everything for everyone and do everything a doctor can do an more. I certainly see a place for wearables and the capability of the Apple Watch, but not sure I see it as a god-like end all be all. I say this now because over the past few weeks the conversations I have been having between investors has swayed from “your on to something with your wearable” to “you are going to get killed by the big guys.” While I understand the perspective in that I am not a big guy and do not have billions to throw at a product, I am still a strong believer that devices who will be successful will be specialized specifically in healthcare. The ones who will drive real value will be the ones that are focused on solving real problems.