Whatever you call it – smart home, connected home, Internet of things or M2M (machine to machine) – Malvern's Zonoff is poised for major growth in this booming market.
The company recently announced that it has raised $3.8 million in venture capital to support technical and global sales growth of its software platform, available via apps, on the cloud or in the home via a router or other device. Zonoff's technology allows users at home or away to monitor and control thermostats, light switches, locks, motorized window coverings, security systems and more.
Mike Harris, Zonoff's co-founder and CEO, says a major target is the mass-market consumer via a do-it-yourself starter kit sold at big-box retailers. But Zonoff doesn't sell direct to consumers. Instead, it sells its products and services through “channel partners” — mass-market retailers, hardware manufacturers, electronic device makers and service providers such as cable and telephone companies.
“The thing we like about Zonoff is that they are not attempting to build a consumer brand, but rather are empowering big name consumer brands who already have deep and long-lasting consumer relationships,” said Lawson DeVries, general partner at Grotech Ventures which is making the VC investment, along with Valhalla Partners.
Zonoff also offers its channel partners an ecommerce platform that combines consumer education and merchandising to deliver ongoing revenue streams as consumers expand and upgrade their homes.
Zonoff was spun off in 2011 from Bulogics, a designer and developer of custom wireless automation systems. Zonoff currently employs 18 and Harris anticipates it could as much as double its workforce in the year ahead.
Source: Mike Harris, Zonoff
Writer: Elise Vider
