Finalist | Cubilog (Hungary) - One solution for smart, semi-smart and dumb devices

A lot of smart devices can be controlled only via delegated software and do not work together. On top of this, there are still a lot of devices which are not smart at all, let’s call these dumb. The modular solution of Cubilog has set out to change this endemic problem once and for all. We interviewed the Zoltan Rendes, Founder and CMO of Cubilog and his team.

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Where did your idea for the company come from?

Zoltan Rendes (Cubilog): Cubilog was born from the fact that there are more and more smart devices around us in our homes, but for all of those you have to use delegated apps and remotes. The more devices you have, the more remotes and apps you have to use, which really takes a lot of time and nerves to deal with. Also, there are a lot of old devices like offline thermostats, garage door openers or garden sprinklers around us, and Cubilog makes it possible to connect those up to our system and make them smart too.

For which kind of audience is your product or service intended and what problem is it solving?

Zoltan Rendes (Cubilog): Who is it for: Cubilog is for all the people out there who already have smart devices in their homes or just want to start out and build some level of automation – and want to use their old devices, too. We have chosen to go with the B2B2C business model. The experience will be brought to you by companies like telcos, integrators or utility companies, to give better service to the customer and gain a closer understanding of their behavior. They will have more structured data on their customers, in the right context.

Cubilog helps companies gain access to new revenue sources, such as by

• Selling bundled automation devices for security, entertainment or gardens etc.
• Selling data services
• Provideing smart metering solutions
• Plus many other options

The problem: 3 years ago you probably didn’t have any smart home devices, today you might have some, in 2 years you are going to be surrounded by all these smart, semi-smart and old (dumb) devices. Every brand is imposing its protocol on you, so you will end up with a lot of hubs, remote controls and delegated apps. That’s what we call smart chaos. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Cubilog – the universal home automation remote control for smart and non-smart things. One hub to rule them all. One app to control them. One dashboard to bind them all. Cubilog is able to connect everything around you. Smart devices like Nest API, semi-smart objects like smart plugs or smart bulbs via communication protocol, and non-smart objects like old thermostats or garage door openers, through wired solutions.

Tell us a bit about the company’s founders like their professional or industry background and the origins of the founding idea.

Team (Cubilog): Cubilog has an experienced management team consisting of guys who already left startups, with plenty of ex-corporate muscle, supplemented by a small but very enthusiastic coder team who are on the top of their game.

• Balázs Weibel (founder/chief executive officer) has rich experience as a managing director; participated in the development of IT products and IT-focused companies and in raising venture capital for these.
• Zoltán Rendes (founder/chief marketing officer) is a marketing and communication “action hero” with plenty of ex-corporate senior exec muscle. He has lead marketing and creative teams for multinational companies like Pro7Sat1 Group and the RTL Group. He landed on planet startup through lifestyle design. He uses his open mindset and wide range of skills to change the world through innovation.

Tamás Szerémy (chief technology officer) has extensive experience in multiplatform software and cloud-based backend development. He has managed multiple 1500+ man/month IT projects.

What made you decide to develop a modular system rather than one cube for everything? Can you explain the advantage of a modular system?

Zoltan Rendes (Cubilog): Cubilog is available in modular, combo box and white label versions. The modularity enables users to only buy the modules they need. On top of this, it makes scalability and support easier.

See Cubilog live on the CODE_n Stage on Tuesday, 17.03.2015.