Top 4 Tech Startups to Look Out for

Technology is constantly evolving. Thanks to the Internet, a tiny idea can flourish quicker than ever. Here are a few startups that are ready to dominate in the near future.

Leap Motion

Graphic modeling is an extremely difficult process. It can take hours to build the simplest of models. Enter Michael Buckwald and David Holz with their product, Leap Motion.

Leap Motion is an innovative device, compatible with both PCs and Macs, that uses two cameras to track arm and hand movements within a four-foot space. The idea behind this product is to completely change the way we interact with computers, whether it’s through learning, video games, or 3D modeling. Leap Motion has already signed deals to bundle its product with upcoming Asus and Hewlett-Packard computers.

Lyft

Lyft is innovative not only because of its idea, but because it uses existing technology that millions of people already have in their pocket. Lyft is essentially a modern-day taxi service. Each driver that signs up for Lyft will go through a criminal and DMV background check, as well as a training session. Anyone that needs a ride can use their Facebook account to schedule a ride by using a smartphone app. They can then pay what they feel like, and at the end of the day the driver gets paid.

In just a year, the company has secured $60 million in financing through angel investors, similar to Advisor Steve Spinner, and has launched in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Boston, and Chicago.

Oculus Rift

The Oculus Rift is the perfect example of technology meeting the future. The idea behind the Oculus Rift is to fully immerse the player in the virtual world. To do this, the player mounts a helmet, similar to the futuristic vision that so many had in the 90s. The player will see the virtual game world inside of the helmet, and the helmet will track the player’s motion, which allows the player to feel like they’re actually in the environment.

There’s a few downsides, though: the system doesn’t support every game and you still have to use a controller. The list of supported games continues to grow each day, and crafty developers have combined treadmills with the Oculus Rift so players can move around the environment freely. The device has only been sent out to developers so far, but a full retail release is planned for the future.

GoPro

Have you ever wanted to film something without holding anything? Enter GoPro, the wearable camera. These devices are so small that they can be mounted to helmets, flying helicopters, or anything else you can think of. They’re Wi-Fi capable, capture video in beautiful 1080p at 48fps, and are waterproof up to 60m. The next time you go on an outdoor adventure, you’ll be able to capture every amazing moment.

These four startups are changing the world around us, whether they’re utilizing current technology for new ways or creating new technology altogether. What are some of your favorite recent tech ideas?