Today at the Mobile World Congress, or MWC, MediaTek announced the launch of MediaTek Labs Partner Connect. This is a supply chain partner program set up and managed by MediaTek Labs designed to help developers of wearable and Internet of Things (IoT) technology build (and ultimately launch) products together with other members of MediaTek’s extensive network of partners. Marc Naddell, Vice President of MediaTek Labs, explains the logic behind the launch: “Taking any wearable or IoT project beyond the prototype stage can be a daunting prospect, whether you’re a small startup or an established company making its first foray into new devices. To make the path to market easier, MediaTek Labs Partner Connect will help find you the partners you need to make your idea a reality.”
Essentially, MediaTek Labs are providing a matchmaking service between appropriate businesses to help with the design, development, manufacturing, component sourcing (including of course MediaTek chipset modules). The system works by members submitting their Wearables or Internet of Things project into the Labs’ confidential Device Solutions Catalog and selecting the “seeking partner” option. At this point, MediaTek Labs step in to help evaluate the business case and technical feasibility of the device. Once the product idea has been vetted and approved, a partner manager will get to work finding the right partners in MediaTek’s network. The process will greatly streamline and simplify the task of getting the product to the market. It’s not yet clear how many partner managers MediaTek have or how quickly the process works.
MediaTek Labs Partner Connect is an extension of some of the existing business schemes: whilst MediaTek are the fourth largest chipset manufacturer in the world, they don’t just build components. They also offer a comprehensive design facility, whereby they can provide a manufacturer with a reference design for a smartphone or tablet product based around MediaTek technology. Partner Connect extends this idea to mesh together different businesses that MediaTek already know, and in their seventeen year history they have worked closely with many businesses across the TV, ‘phone, tablet, navigation, router and gaming industries.
MediaTek are at the Mobile World Congress, Hall 6, Stand 6E21, if you’d like more information. Alternatively, you can visit the MediaTek Labs Partner Connect website here.