Trident IoT
Trident IoT designs multi-protocol RF semiconductors, modules, and development tools (Z-Wave, Zigbee, LoRa, Matter, Cellular/Satellite) for smart home, security, and Industrial IoT device manufacturers, augmented by US-based certification and engineering design services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersCarlsbad, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Trident IoT does
Trident IoT is a Carlsbad, California-based semiconductor and engineering services company founded in August 2023 by IoT veterans from Zensys, u-blox, and ADT's Cellbounce. The company designs and sells multi-protocol RF silicon, modules, and development tools targeting device manufacturers in smart home, security, Industrial IoT, and hospitality/MDU segments. Core products include the T32CZ20 Z-Wave/Z-Wave Long Range SoC, T32CM11 and T32CM21 Zigbee SoCs, and the SARA-S520 hybrid LTE-M/cellular plus satellite plus GNSS module acquired from u-blox in April 2025; these are supported by the ELCap command-line development platform, the Trident Device SDK, the Z-Way Controller SDK, the SmartSniffer diagnostic tool, and a portfolio of evaluation kits and radio boards.
The business model spans four revenue streams: silicon and module hardware sales, US-based Z-Wave/Zigbee/Matter certification testing services (operating as an authorized test lab for the Z-Wave Alliance and Connectivity Standards Alliance), engineering design and consultation services, and SDK/software licensing. Distribution is primarily direct enterprise sales augmented by channel partnerships with Semtech (LoRa), Syntiant (audio AI), and ecosystem participation in the Z-Wave Alliance, CSA, Bluetooth SIG, and LoRa Alliance. The go-to-market combines a developer-focused self-service channel (downloadable SDKs, evaluation kits, Virtual FAE portal, quarterly Carlsbad workshops) with field sales into smart-home OEMs and security system providers.
The competitive proposition is built on three differentiators: an integrated silicon-plus-tools-plus-certification stack (Trident claims to be the first company with Z-Wave Alliance certification for both semiconductors and SDK), a multi-protocol platform enabling single-toolchain development across Z-Wave, Zigbee, Matter, LoRa, and Cellular/Satellite, and the founders' collective IoT pedigree (including the original developer of the Z-Wave protocol). The company is venture-backed with $10 million raised in April 2024 and board representation from Vivint founder Todd Pedersen and former Honeywell Automation and Control Solutions CEO Roger Fradin.
Trident IoT firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Trident IoT
- Legal name
- Trident IOT, LLC
- Website
- https://tridentiot.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Trident IoT designs multi-protocol RF semiconductors, modules, and development tools (Z-Wave, Zigbee, LoRa, Matter, Cellular/Satellite) for smart home, security, and Industrial IoT device manufacturers, augmented by US-based certification and engineering design services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Trident IoT industry classification
Industry- Product category
- IoT Semiconductors
- NAICS
- Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing (33429), Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing (334220), Communications Equipment Manufacturing (3342)
- SIC
- Communications Equipment, Nec (3669), Computer Communications Equipment (3576)
- akta.pro primary industry
- RF, Microwave & Wireless ICs (HDAHAAAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- UWB, NFC & Short-Range Connectivity ICs (HDAHAMAI), RF Front-End Modules (FEMs) & Integrated RF Modules (HDAHAMAA)
Keywords
Where Trident IoT is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Carlsbad
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Trident IoT business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Silicon and Module Sales: Sale of IoT silicon chips, SoCs, and modules including Z-Wave, Zigbee, and cellular/satellite communication products. Revenue from product sales to device manufacturers.
- Certification Services: US-based authorized test lab for Z-Wave, Zigbee, and Matter certification. Provides compliance testing ensuring products meet Alliance standards for interoperability, security, and reliability.
- Design and Development Services: Engineering consultation, RF design support, firmware development, protocol conversion, and obsolescence replacement services. Over 100 years of combined IoT design experience.
- Software Licensing: SDK licensing including Device SDK and Z-Way Controller SDK for developers building on Trident silicon platforms.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Trident IoT product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Trident IoT designs and sells multi-protocol IoT semiconductors, modules, and development tools (including Z-Wave, Zigbee, and cellular/satellite silicon) along with a unified ELCap development platform, Trident Device SDK, and Z-Way Controller SDK. The company complements this silicon portfolio with US-based authorized Z-Wave, Zigbee, and Matter certification test lab services and paid RF and firmware design engineering services for IoT device manufacturers.
Product overview
Trident IoT is a semiconductor company built around three pillars: IoT Silicon and Tools, Design and Development Support, and US-Based Certification Services. The product portfolio spans Z-Wave silicon (T32CZ20 SoC, TZM8202-2 SoM), Zigbee silicon (T32CM11 and T32CM21 SoCs), and Sat/Cell modules (SARA-S520). Development is supported through ELCap™ command-line development platform and Trident Device SDK/Z-Way Controller SDK. Hardware offerings include evaluation kits, radio boards, host development boards, and sniffer USB sticks. The company provides Z-Wave, Zigbee, and Matter certification services, along with design engineering services for RF design, firmware development, and protocol conversion.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- ELCap: Trident IoT's Command Line based development tool and the starting point from which to manage all device Trident SDKs. Develop, compile and flash all Trident SoC based applications from one easy to use application. Won IoT Development Tool of the Year award in 10th Annual IoT Breakthrough Awards Program.
- SmartSniffer
- ELCap
- Z-Way Controller SDK
Products and services
- T32CZ20 Z-Wave SoC Z-Wave/Z-Wave Long Range System-on-Chip with ARM Cortex-M33, 1MB Flash, 288kB RAM, and 20dBm output power, supporting networks up to 4000 nodes. Targeted at IoT device manufacturers building Z-Wave smart home, security, and long-range products.
- TZM8202-2 Z-Wave System-on-Module Z-Wave/Z-Wave Long Range System-on-Module designed as a drop-in replacement for Silabs ZM5102. Targeted at device manufacturers needing a faster integration path to certified Z-Wave silicon.
- T32CM11 Zigbee SoC Multi-protocol 2.4GHz SoC with ARM Cortex M3, 2MB Flash, 208kB RAM, and 10dBm output power supporting Zigbee 3.0. Targeted at OEMs building Zigbee smart home and lighting devices.
- T32CM21 Zigbee SoC Multi-protocol 2.4GHz SoC with ARM Cortex M33, 2MB Flash, 208kB RAM, and 20dBm output power supporting Zigbee protocol. Targeted at high-performance Zigbee 3.0 device manufacturers.
- SARA-S520 Hybrid Cellular/Satellite Module Hybrid LTE-M Cellular plus Satellite plus GNSS module for IoT applications, positioned as the world's first single-chip platform supporting both terrestrial cellular IoT and satellite IoT protocols. Targeted at OEMs building remote asset tracking and industrial IoT connectivity.
- DKNCZ20B20-02-A Z-Wave Evaluation Kit Z-Wave evaluation kit with self-contained board for rapid proof-of-concept development on the T32CZ20 SoC. Targeted at RF engineers and OEMs evaluating Z-Wave silicon.
- DKRCZ20B20-25-A Z-Wave Radio Board Z-Wave radio board for evaluating RF performance of the T32CZ20 chipset, designed to plug into the DKR-Host board or a target PCB. Targeted at RF engineers prototyping certified Z-Wave radios.
- DKNCM11C10-02-A Zigbee Evaluation Kit Zigbee evaluation kit with self-contained board for rapid proof-of-concept development on the T32CM11 SoC. Targeted at device manufacturers prototyping Zigbee 3.0 products.
- DKRCM11C10-25-A Zigbee Radio Board Zigbee radio board for evaluating RF performance of the T32CM11 chipset, designed to plug into the DKR-Host board or a target PCB. Targeted at RF engineers prototyping certified Zigbee radios.
- DKR-HOST-00-A Host Development Board Highly flexible hardware platform with buttons, LEDs, full I/O breakout, and integrated debugging tools for all Trident radio boards. Targeted at embedded developers across Z-Wave, Zigbee, and multi-protocol projects.
- DKU-CZ20B20-03-A Z-Wave Sniffer USB Stick Z-Wave sniffer USB stick compatible with Trident's SmartSniffer for capturing and analyzing wireless Z-Wave transmissions. Targeted at developers debugging Z-Wave devices and protocol behavior.
- DKU-CM11C10-02-A Zigbee Sniffer USB Stick Zigbee sniffer USB stick compatible with Trident's SmartSniffer for capturing and analyzing wireless Zigbee transmissions. Targeted at developers debugging Zigbee devices and protocol behavior.
- ELCap Development Platform Command-line based development tool for managing all Trident SDKs. Enables developing, compiling, and flashing Trident SoC-based applications from a single interface. Targeted at engineers building multi-protocol Z-Wave, Zigbee, and IoT products.
- SmartSniffer PC application that, when paired with compatible hardware, becomes a passive RF diagnostic tool for capturing, displaying, and analyzing wireless transmissions across multiple protocols. Targeted at RF developers troubleshooting wireless devices.
- Trident Device SDK Software development kit for Z-Wave and Zigbee device applications built on Trident IoT silicon, enabling rapid product development on a unified ELCap-managed toolchain. Targeted at firmware developers and OEMs building certified IoT devices.
- Z-Way Controller SDK Multi-protocol, multi-OS development kit for Z-Wave controller applications ranging from C-Libraries to full stack implementation. Targeted at gateway, hub, and controller developers in the smart home ecosystem.
- Z-Wave Certification Services US-based authorized test lab services for compliance testing of Z-Wave Plus and Z-Wave Plus v2 end devices and controllers. Targeted at IoT device manufacturers seeking certified Z-Wave compliance.
- Zigbee Certification Services US-based authorized test lab services for compliance testing of Zigbee 3.0 products, authorized by the Connectivity Standards Alliance. Targeted at OEMs requiring Zigbee certification for retail and ecosystem access.
- Matter Certification Services US-based authorized test lab services for compliance testing under Matter 1.4 specifications. Targeted at OEMs shipping Matter-compatible smart home and IoT devices.
- Design and Engineering Services RF design, firmware development, protocol conversion, and obsolescence replacement services delivered by IoT veterans with over 100 years of combined experience. Targeted at IoT device manufacturers needing expert engineering consultation across Z-Wave, Zigbee, Thread, Matter, LoRa, and cellular/satellite platforms.
Quantifiable outcome
- 60% reduction in time-to-market for new IoT products compared to traditional development paths
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Trident IoT
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Trident IoT technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability2 records
Feature7 records
Trident IoT partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Syntiant CorpcoreJoint development of low-power audio AI sensor platform combining Trident's CZ20 Z-Wave chipset with Syntiant's NDP115 neural processor and advanced glass break algorithm. Enables always-on audio event detection running up to five years on three AA batteries. Targets smart home safety and security applications including glass break detection, smoke/CO alarm recognition, emergency call detection, and infant cry monitoring.
- Semtech CorporationcoreDefinitive agreement to integrate Semtech's LoRa Plus family of transceivers (including LR2021 Multi-PHY) onto Trident's ELCap development platform and SDK. Creates comprehensive multi-protocol connectivity solution for smart home, security, and Industrial IoT. Beta units expected Q2 2026. Enables developers to choose between Trident cost-effective SoC or Semtech high-performance transceivers without rewriting applications.
- u-bloxcoreAcquired dual mode cellular-satellite communications chipset and module technology (UBX-R52 chipset and SARA-S5 satellite module) along with core development team. Customers and partners transitioned to Trident IoT for continuity effective April 1, 2025.
- Z-Wave AlliancecorePrincipal member of Z-Wave Alliance, first company to achieve Z-Wave Alliance certification for both semiconductors and SDK. Authorized test lab for Z-Wave device and controller certification testing.
- Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA)corePrincipal member of CSA with authorized test lab status for Zigbee and Matter 1.4 certification testing. Active participation in Alliance activities and standards development.
- Bluetooth Special Interest GroupsupportingMember of Bluetooth SIG, expanding ecosystem participation beyond Z-Wave and Zigbee to offer broader connectivity expertise.
- LoRa AlliancesupportingMember of LoRa Alliance, enabling development support for LoRaWAN protocols in addition to existing multi-protocol capabilities.
- Silicon LabssupportingWelcome statement from Silicon Labs as Trident IoT entered Z-Wave market as alternate source for Z-Wave chips and modules. Statement emphasized ecosystem diversity benefits.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Trident IoT competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Espressif Systems: Chinese fabless vendor of low-cost Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/802.15.4 SoCs (ESP32 family) popular among IoT developers. Competes on developer mindshare and price-sensitive Zigbee/Thread designs overlapping Trident's lower-end customer segment.
Direct peers
- Silicon Labs: Legacy incumbent and dominant supplier of Z-Wave 700/800-series SoCs, Zigbee MCUs, and Matter silicon. Direct head-to-head competitor for Trident's T32CZ20 and T32CM11 families across the same smart-home/security OEM customer base.
Broad incumbents
- Qorvo: Diversified RF semiconductor vendor supplying connectivity ICs, RF front-end modules, and wireless infrastructure components. Comparable in the multi-protocol RF IC category but serves a broader set of markets beyond Trident's IoT focus.
- Texas Instruments: Large-scale semiconductor manufacturer offering wireless MCUs (SimpleLink family) supporting Zigbee, Thread, Matter, and Bluetooth. Competes with Trident in the IoT connectivity silicon category but as part of a much broader portfolio.
- Nordic Semiconductor: Specialist in ultra-low-power short-range wireless SoCs (Bluetooth LE, Thread, Matter, Zigbee). Overlaps with Trident's Zigbee/Thread/Matter roadmap and competes for the same low-power IoT device-maker mindshare.
- Microchip Technology: Broad-line MCU and wireless connectivity IC vendor with Zigbee, Thread, and LoRa-capable families. Competes with Trident for industrial IoT and smart-home device-maker sockets as part of a much wider semiconductor portfolio.
- STMicroelectronics: Global semiconductor vendor supplying STM32 wireless MCUs supporting Zigbee, Thread, and Matter. Comparable in the multi-protocol IoT silicon category and competing for the same industrial and smart-home OEM designs.
Others
- u-blox: Cellular and positioning module vendor that sold its dual-mode cellular-satellite chipset and module assets to Trident in April 2025. Now a transitioning partner rather than competitor in the cellular-satellite IoT module category.
- Semtech: Owner of LoRa technology and a strategic technology partner that integrates LoRa Plus transceivers onto Trident's ELCap platform. Adjacent/partner rather than competitor, but both serve IoT device makers seeking long-range low-power connectivity.
- Syntiant: Low-power neural decision processor vendor and strategic co-development partner integrating the NDP115 with Trident's CZ20 Z-Wave chipset for always-on audio AI in smart-home safety. Partner in the audio AI sensor platform rather than a silicon competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Trident IoT social profiles
Digital presenceTrident IoT compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Trident IoT financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Trident IoT leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Trident IoT funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Trident IoT M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Trident IoT
What does Trident IoT do?
Trident IoT designs and sells multi-protocol IoT semiconductors, modules, and development tools (including Z-Wave, Zigbee, and cellular/satellite silicon) along with a unified ELCap development platform, Trident Device SDK, and Z-Way Controller SDK. The company complements this silicon portfolio with US-based authorized Z-Wave, Zigbee, and Matter certification test lab services and paid RF and firmware design engineering services for IoT device manufacturers.
Is Trident IoT a public or private company?
Trident IoT is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Trident IoT founded?
Trident IoT was founded in 2023. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Trident IoT based?
Trident IoT is headquartered in Carlsbad, United States, in the North America region.
How does Trident IoT make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Silicon and Module Sales are the primary driver. The others are certification Services, design and Development Services and software Licensing.
Who are Trident IoT's main competitors?
Espressif Systems is listed as an emerging player. Silicon Labs is listed as a direct peer. Broad incumbents are Qorvo, Texas Instruments, Nordic Semiconductor, Microchip Technology and STMicroelectronics. Others are u-blox, Semtech and Syntiant.
Does Trident IoT have an API?
No public API is recorded for Trident IoT.
What industry is Trident IoT in?
Trident IoT's product category is IoT Semiconductors. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHAAAF, RF, Microwave & Wireless ICs, with a secondary code of HDAHAMAI, UWB, NFC & Short-Range Connectivity ICs. Its NAICS code is 33429 and its SIC code is 3669.