Doors that lock with the touch of a button.
Fridges that order food for you.
Alarm clocks that signal the coffee pot to start.
It's the interconnectedness of devices, the automation of everyday tasks — it's the "Internet of Things."
It's The Brave Little Toaster come to life. And not only is it the future, but it's already here, at least as an investing opportunity.
The just-launched Moonscape Ventures will focus specifically on investing in startups operating in the Internet of Things, smart cities, big data and media startups.
"We're looking for the next big thing," said Tammy Mahn, managing partner of Moonscape Ventures, in an interview with ThinkAdvisor. Right now the Internet of Things is mostly available to those with high-level access, Mahn said, but Moonscapes hopes to make it more available to the consumer.
"As the world gets connected and starts to sense you, there are so many things that can better your life," Mahn said.
The $120 million investment company was launched Tuesday by global entrepreneur Mati Kochavi, whose existing network of companies includes smart city and Internet of Things solutions provider AGT International and Vocativ, a news organization that uses advanced technology to mine the Web for stories, trends and issues that are missed by conventional search engines.
Moonscape Ventures plans to make early-stage investments in new and innovative technologies related to the Internet of Things, including smart cities, big data and news and media technologies. First round investments will range from $500,000 to $5 million.
While the "Internet of Things" is the most recent buzzword for this machine-to-machine technology, Mahn says the technology has been around for a while.
