The Z-Wave Alliance is offering a unique opportunity to IoT startups and entrepreneurs – Z-Wave Labs. The IoT accelerator-style program gives winners with an innovative idea in IoT product or service design access to the Z-Wave Alliance ecosystem, partners, and resources as well as the Z-Wave IoT ready 500 series development kits.

Anyone developing a unique IoT solution and interested in adding Z-Wave technology to their device can enter the competition, which is aimed at IoT markets such as residential, commercial, automotive, healthcare, security, energy and aging in place. Candidates compete for a yearlong membership to the Z-Wave Alliance, access to events, marketing materials, working groups, and trainings. Selected startups will also nab a free Z-Wave IoT ready development kit to jumpstart their product roadmap and get their IoT product to market.

Winners are able to access the Z-Wave IoT ready 500 series development kits, including the Keil PK51 Professional Developer’s Kit for the 8051 microcontroller family. They are also featured on the Z-Wave Labs website and on social media. Previous winners have created smart locks, lighting, security and energy management systems, and intelligent blinds.

A new addition to the 2016 competition includes the possibility for winners to be featured in a Z-Wave booth at CES 2017. Rules, details, and the application can be found at www.z-wavelabs.org.

Mitchell Klein is the Executive Director of the Z-Wave Alliance.