For the first time ever, the Techstars Seattle incubator is welcoming hardware startups.
While the program has typically only accepted software-focused companies in the past, Techstars Seattle Managing Director Andy Sack said that the influx of hardware devices in the market made his team re-think its application process.
“One of the most exciting market trends is, in my opinion, the Internet of Things (IoT),” Sack wrote. “Decreasing costs of hardware components is making it possible to connect virtually anything to the internet or a smart device. This opens up for countless opportunities to bring new exciting products to market.”
There are numerous examples of the hardware movement, especially right here in Seattle. Though the region isn’t generally known as a big hardware city, there have been recent successes: Moment, an attachable lens for smartphone cameras designed by Contour founder Marc Barros, and Poppy, a 3D imaging device for iPhone built by veteran local entrepreneurs Joe Heitzeberg and Ethan Lowry, are just a few.
Techstars Seattle is a three-month incubation program starting this fall that offers $118,000 in funding and mentorship to each team. Applications for the upcoming class are due Sunday. You can apply here.
Related: Advice for hardware startup founders: Scope how big your idea is before raising money … Lessons from Highway1: Brady Forrest’s tips for fledging hardware startups
