Boston and Massachusetts will have a large representation at CES 2018.
Organized by the Consumer Technology Association in Las Vegas, the biggest tech event of the year is scheduled to start on January 9 for an international four-day kermesse including keynotes, press conferences and, most of all, tech products' showcases.
From a local point of view, a total of 54 Boston-area companies will take part in the event. Our Massachusetts delegation includes Blink, which was acquired by Amazon at the end of December, public company iRobot and late-stage venture Crimson Hexagon.
Here are the Boston-area startups at CES 2018 that have caught our attention:
Formlabs
Based in Somerville, the company produces 3D printers for designers, engineers and ultimately, manufacturers. The company’s flagship Form 2 printer - starting at $3,499 - can be used from jewelry prototyping in the retail industry to character modeling in the entertainment industry. Last year, Boston-based New Balance announced it will use Formlabs’ 3D printers at its facilities to make high-performance footwear products. Founded in 2011, the company raised $35 million Series B from Foundry Group and other investors in 2016. Booth info.
Humon
The Boston startup founded by MIT alumni Alessandro Babini and Daniel Wiese has developed a wearable (that athletes wear on their thigh) to measure real-time oxygen levels in muscles. The device, which is currently on sale on the company's website for $275, communicates with an app on your phone that stores data to analyze workouts' performances. In 2016, the company raised a $950,000 seed round; the lead investor is Accomplice. Booth info.
iZotope
The developer of software and plug-ins for audio mixing and restoration recently announced the launch of a $349 portable and wireless recording studio called Spire Studio. Customers of the company - based in Kendall Square - are musicians, audio producers and engineers. In 2016, the company raised a $2.5 million Series B round led by ABS Capital Partners, along with a $5 million loan from Comerica Bank. Booth info.
Jibo
The company made the headlines recently for being featured on the front cover of Time as one the magazine's 25 best inventions of 2017. Jibo is both the name of the company and the product it commercializes, a $899-worth family robot that can do a number of things, including taking a picture, tell jokes, dance, recognize up to 16 people in a family. Booth info.
Markforged
The second 3D printing startup in this list is Markforged, which is mostly targeting industrial customers. Founded in 2013, the company provides a line of 3D printers that help companies develop hardware products. The Watertown-based venture can count on three substantial customers and backers — Microsoft, Porsche and Siemens, who were the lead investors in the company's $30 million Series C. Booth info.
Orig3n
By getting a cheek swab, the company provides customers with a DNA analysis that is meant to help people make informed choices about their health. Customers can choose online the type of test they want and get their personalized profile in about four weeks. Options include fitness, nutrition, metabolism, behavior and child development information; prices range from $29 to $149. In 2017, the Boston-based biomedical research company raised a $20 million round led by Hatteras Venture Partners. Booth info.
Sports Innovation Lab
The company, which aims at identifying the technology products and services that will create innovation in sports, just partnered with co-working space WeWork to build a sports technology-focused collaborative workspace. Located in the shadow of the TD Garden, the space is set to open in February 2018. In addition, the company partnered with CES to produce conference programming and thought leadership at the CES Sports Zone in Las Vegas. Booth info.
Vesper
Boston-based Vesper makes microphones for voice-interface devices, including smart speakers. In November 2017, the Consumer Technology Association — which organizes and owns CES — named Vesper a CES 2018 Innovation Awards Honoree for the VM1010, a patented ZeroPower Listening MEMS microphone. In 2016, the company raised a $15 million Series A round from investors, including Accomplice and Amazon’s Alexa Fund. Booth info.
