InPlay Inc.
InPlay Inc. is a fabless semiconductor company that designs ultra-low-power wireless SoCs (NanoBeacon IN100/IN120, SMULL IN618, SDR IN612L, IN610) for Industrial IoT, smart label, asset tracking, and consumer tracker applications, sold globally through DigiKey, Mouser, and Seltech.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersIrvine, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What InPlay Inc. does
InPlay Inc. is a fabless semiconductor company headquartered in Irvine, California, that designs ultra-low-power wireless System-on-Chip (SoC) devices for Industrial IoT, smart label, asset tracking, and consumer tracker applications. The company's core technology rests on integrating BLE, SMULL (Synchronized Multi-node Ultra Low-Latency), and SDR (Software Defined Radio) protocol stacks directly into silicon at the hardware level, enabling sub-microwatt sleep currents and package sizes as small as 2.5mm x 2.5mm. Its product portfolio includes the IN100 and IN120 NanoBeacon SoCs (no-code Bluetooth beacon chips requiring no firmware development), the IN618 SMULL SoC for latency-critical applications, the IN612L SDR SoC for large-scale IIoT networks, and the IN610 Bluetooth 5 SoC for tracker applications. The NanoBeacon platform is differentiated by a free configuration tool and mobile companion app that abstract away BLE protocol complexity, allowing product creators and developers to deploy beacon devices in minutes rather than weeks.
InPlay monetizes primarily through unit sales of its wireless SoCs and evaluation/development kits via global electronics distribution (DigiKey, Mouser Electronics, Seltech) and direct OEM engagement. The company targets sub-$1 per end-product beacon cost to enable disposable smart label and IoT sensor deployments at scale, with battery-free operation enabled through energy harvesting partnerships with Powercast, Energous, and e-peas. The customer base spans more than 25 named partners and end-customers across logistics, healthcare, semiconductors, electronics manufacturing, and consumer IoT, including NXP Semiconductors, Bosch Sensortec, SparkFun, Mitsubishi Electric, Identiv, Minew, Sensirion, Tageos, Hubble Network, and Molex. The company was acquired by Trackonomy in September 2025 and continues to operate as part of Trackonomy's smart label ecosystem while maintaining its product lines and brand identity. The company holds ISO 9001 certification and the IN100 received Bluetooth 5.3 SIG certification.
InPlay Inc. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- InPlay Inc.
- Legal name
- InPlay Inc.
- Website
- https://www.inplay-tech.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- InPlay Inc. is a fabless semiconductor company that designs ultra-low-power wireless SoCs (NanoBeacon IN100/IN120, SMULL IN618, SDR IN612L, IN610) for Industrial IoT, smart label, asset tracking, and consumer tracker applications, sold globally through DigiKey, Mouser, and Seltech.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
InPlay Inc. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Wireless IoT Semiconductors
- NAICS
- Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (3341)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Electronic Parts & Equipment, Nec (5065)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Mobile & Wireless Connectivity SoCs (Modem/Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth/GNSS) (HDAHABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Embedded, Maker Platforms & Development Kits Retail (CRACAKAI), Embedded & Industrial Network Interfaces (PCIe/M.2/SOM/SoC NICs) (HDAFAEAI)
Keywords
Where InPlay Inc. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Irvine
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices10 records
Markets served
InPlay Inc. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Wireless SoC Chip Sales: InPlay generates revenue primarily from the sale of its proprietary wireless System-on-Chip (SoC) devices, including the NanoBeacon IN100, IN120, IN618 (SMULL), IN612L (SDR), and IN610 (Bluetooth 5) product lines. Chips are sold through distribution partners (DigiKey, Mouser, Seltech) and directly to OEM customers. Volume pricing enables sub-$1 end-product cost for beacon devices.
- Evaluation and Development Kits: Sale of evaluation kits (EVK) and development boards that include programmer boards and development modules. These kits enable rapid prototyping and design-in, driving chip adoption. Available through DigiKey and directly via the company's e-commerce platform.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | IN100 NanoBeacon SoC — Sub-$1 per end-product device |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | IN120 NanoBeacon SoC — 2nd Gen with integrated temperature sensor |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | IN100 Evaluation Kit — Development Platform |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Software Tools — Free |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels9 records
InPlay Inc. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
InPlay Inc. is a fabless semiconductor company that designs and sells ultra-low-power wireless System-on-Chip (SoC) devices for Industrial IoT (IIoT) applications. The portfolio centers on the NanoBeacon no-code Bluetooth Low Energy platform (IN100 first generation and IN120 second generation with integrated temperature sensor), the SMULL-based IN618 low-latency SoC, the IN612L SDR networking chip, and the IN610 Bluetooth 5 SoC. Sales are made via global electronics distributors (DigiKey, Mouser, Seltech, IDK, Karimex) and direct to OEMs, complemented by a free NanoBeacon Config Tool (Windows/macOS/Linux) and the NanoBeacon BLE Scanner mobile app.
Product overview
InPlay Inc. is a wireless semiconductor company offering a portfolio of ultra-low-power Bluetooth Low Energy System-on-Chip (SoC) solutions for Industrial IoT applications. The product lineup centers on the NanoBeacon platform, which pioneered programming-free Bluetooth beacon technology. The portfolio includes the IN100 (1st gen NanoBeacon) and IN120 (2nd gen with integrated temperature sensor), the SMULL-based IN618 for latency-critical applications, the SDR-enabled IN612L for large-scale IIoT deployments, and the IN610 for standard Bluetooth 5 applications with security features. These are complemented by the NanoBeacon Config Tool for device configuration and the NanoBeacon BLE Scanner mobile app for device management. The technology addresses key IIoT challenges including communication latency, maintenance costs, and security through novel hardware-level protocol integration.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- NanoBeacon: Ultra-low-power, programming-free Bluetooth Low Energy SoC platform enabling active RFID and wireless sensor applications. Includes products IN100 and IN120.
- SMULL
- IN100 NanoBeacon
- IN120 NanoBeacon
- IN618 SMULL
- IN612L SDR Networking
- IN610 Bluetooth 5
- NanoBeacon Config Tool
- NanoBeacon BLE Scanner
Products and services
- IN100 NanoBeacon SoC World's first programming-free Bluetooth 5.3 beacon SoC requiring no firmware development. Features ultra-low power (sub-microwatt average current), sub-$1 end-product cost target, and 2.5mm x 2.5mm package. Supports iBeacon, Eddystone, and custom advertising formats with integrated temperature sensor and I2C/GPIO/ADC/1-wire interfaces. Winner of RFID Journal's Best New Product Award 2021.
- IN120 NanoBeacon SoC Second-generation NanoBeacon SoC with an integrated factory-calibrated temperature sensor on the wireless chip, enabling scalable temperature monitoring for smart labels, packaging, logistics, and space-constrained IoT applications. Includes patent-pending data logging technology. Winner of the Best of Sensors 2026 award in the IoT & Connectivity Solution category.
- IN618 SMULL SoC SoC implementing InPlay's SMULL (Synchronized Multi-node Ultra Low-Latency) proprietary wireless protocol, enabling real-time communication with higher scalability and lower latency than traditional wireless technologies for latency-critical IIoT applications.
- IN612L SDR Networking SoC Software-defined radio SoC designed for large-scale IIoT applications, supporting thousands of edge nodes in a single star topology with bi-directional communications. Concurrently supports both SDR and the latest Bluetooth 5 ecosystem.
- IN610 Bluetooth 5 SoC Bluetooth 5 SoC with best-in-class RF performance and low-power sleep current. Features a built-in hardware security engine supporting the latest security standards. Powers universal Bluetooth trackers compatible with Apple Find My and Google Find My Device networks.
- NanoBeacon Config Tool Free desktop application (Windows, macOS, Linux) for configuring IN100 and IN120 NanoBeacon devices without writing any firmware. Sets advertising data formats, sensor interfaces, trigger conditions, and generates QR codes for import into the companion mobile app.
- NanoBeacon BLE Scanner Mobile App Free mobile companion app (iOS and Android) for discovering NanoBeacon devices and automatically parsing advertising data (iBeacon, Eddystone, custom formats) into human-readable form. Supports device filters, QR-code import from the Config Tool, and background notifications for triggered advertising events.
Quantifiable outcome
- Sub-microwatt power consumption enables 10+ year battery life for beacon devices advertising at intervals of 10 seconds or more.
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use InPlay Inc.
Customer profileNamed customers26 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
InPlay Inc. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
AI capability2 records
Feature8 records
InPlay Inc. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- Hubble NetworkflagshipExpanded collaboration (announced May 2026) enabling a new class of IN120-based smart labels and wireless sensors with global tracking capabilities across terrestrial Bluetooth and satellite infrastructure. Combines Hubble's network of over 95 million gateways with InPlay's patent-pending data logging technology. Targets cold chain, logistics, industrial IoT, and pharmaceutical monitoring with ultra-low-power, minimalist hardware. Initial partnership announced April 2024 for sub-$1 global tracking without RFID using the IN100 NanoBeacon chip.
- PowercastcoreJoint development of battery-free Bluetooth Low Energy sensor tags for temperature and humidity monitoring, powered by RF energy harvesting. The collaboration enables maintenance-free IoT sensors that can operate for years without batteries. Extended from earlier 2022 collaboration on battery-free BLE sensor beacons powered over 120 feet.
- Molex / BleconcoreThree-way collaboration to develop and deploy cloud-connected BLE smart labels providing real-time location and sensor data for enterprises. Targets logistics, healthcare, and inventory management applications. Designed to be simple, scalable, and low-cost.
- TrackonomyflagshipTrackonomy acquired InPlay in September 2025 to power the smart label ecosystem. Prior to acquisition, companies collaborated on Physical AI technology for connected supply chains with Tageos. Trackonomy's acquisition strengthens InPlay's position in the smart label value chain.
- MinewcoreMultiple collaborations: first mass-produced battery-free BLE tracker unveiled at Sensors Converge 2025; MTB06 BLE printable smart label (November 2024); game-changing $1 Bluetooth LE tag product launch (February 2023). Minew uses InPlay's IN100 for ultra-low-cost BLE tags.
- IdentivcorePartnership for BLE-enabled IoT solutions in cold-chain, healthcare, and automation. Extended to next-generation BLE-enabled smart labels for industrial IoT applications (May 2025).
- IdentivcoreInitial partnership for BLE-enabled IoT solutions in cold-chain, healthcare, and automation verticals.
- Mouser ElectronicscoreGlobal distribution partnership announced September 2024. Mouser distributes InPlay's innovative wireless SoC technology globally to engineers and manufacturers, expanding InPlay's reach beyond its existing DigiKey and Seltech distribution agreements.
- EnergouscoreJoint launch of low-maintenance wireless sensors for IoT industrial applications. Combines Energous' WattUp RF wireless power technology with InPlay's BLE SoC for maintenance-free, real-time, high-accuracy asset tracking solutions.
- NXP SemiconductorscoreStrategic collaboration for no-code connected sensor solutions. NXP's processing and connectivity ecosystem integrates with InPlay's NanoBeacon to enable rapid development of connected sensor applications without embedded software.
- Seltech InternationalcorePartnership to expand global distribution of InPlay's low-latency, low-power wireless connectivity SoCs. Seltech covers Europe (France HQ, Germany), Asia (Nanjing, Shenzhen, Singapore), and Americas (Raleigh NC, San Diego CA, Brazil).
- SparkFun Electronics / Bosch SensorteccoreThree-way partnership releasing two new NanoBeacon development boards to accelerate wireless IoT solution development. SparkFun provides ecosystem reach; Bosch Sensortec provides sensor technology.
- PowercastcoreInitial collaboration on battery-free BLE sensor beacon powered over 120 feet using Powercast's RF energy harvesting and InPlay's NanoBeacon. This partnership expanded in 2025 with temperature/humidity sensor tag.
- CEVAcoreInPlay licensed and deployed CEVA's Bluetooth 5 Low Energy IP for its breakthrough SoC targeting wearable, healthcare, and wireless IoT markets. This foundational licensing agreement enabled InPlay's first-generation chip development.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
InPlay Inc. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Texas Instruments: TI's SimpleLink CC26xx/CC13xx BLE and multi-protocol SoCs serve the same industrial IoT, asset tracking, and sensor markets as InPlay, but as part of a much broader analog and embedded portfolio reaching across automotive, industrial, and consumer segments.
- STMicroelectronics: STM32WB and BlueNRG BLE SoCs target industrial IoT, wearables, and consumer applications. As a broad-line MCU and connectivity vendor, STM competes across InPlay's IIoT and smart-label markets while offering deeper MCU integration.
- Silicon Labs: Silicon Labs' EFR32 (Mighty Gecko) and BG22/BG24 BLE SoCs compete in IoT, smart home, and asset-tracking use cases. Its BG22 family in particular targets sub-$1 coin-cell applications directly overlapping with InPlay's IN100.
- Renesas Electronics: Renesas (which absorbed Dialog Semiconductor) offers DA14xxx/DA15xxx BLE SoCs and broader MCU portfolios targeting IoT, industrial, and consumer applications. It overlaps with InPlay's industrial IoT and asset-tracking segments.
- NXP Semiconductors: NXP offers K32W and RW61x BLE/Thread/Zigbee SoCs for industrial IoT and smart home. As an existing InPlay partner for "no-code connected sensor solutions," NXP also acts as an adjacent incumbent in many of the same end markets.
Direct peers
- Nordic Semiconductor: Nordic is the dominant low-power BLE SoC vendor (nRF52/nRF53 series) and the most direct competitor to InPlay's IN100/IN610/IN612L. It competes head-to-head across IoT, asset tracking, and consumer Find My-style products with mature developer ecosystems.
- Telink Semiconductor: Telink (TLSR825x, TL721x, etc.) is a Chinese fabless BLE/Zigbee SoC vendor competing at the sub-$1 end-product price point that InPlay targets. It is a direct alternative in low-cost BLE beacons, Find My trackers, and smart-label chips.
- Espressif Systems: Espressif's ESP32 and ESP32-C series deliver Wi-Fi/BLE SoCs at very low cost for IoT developers. It competes in similar maker, hobbyist, and low-cost IoT segments where InPlay's NanoBeacon and dev kits are positioned.
Emerging players
- Atmosic Technologies: Atmosic designs ultra-low-power BLE SoCs with energy-harvesting support, directly competing with InPlay's IN100/IN610 battery-free BLE offerings (e.g., the Powercast partnership). Both target maintenance-free IoT sensor tags.
Others
- Minew: Minew is an IoT hardware OEM and InPlay's distribution/development partner (MTB06 smart labels, $1 BLE tag, battery-free tracker). It is a downstream customer and ecosystem co-developer rather than a chip competitor, but operates in the same smart-label and BLE tracker end markets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
InPlay Inc. social profiles
Digital presenceInPlay Inc. compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
InPlay Inc. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
InPlay Inc. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
InPlay Inc. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
InPlay Inc. 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 InPlay Inc.
What does InPlay Inc. do?
InPlay Inc. is a fabless semiconductor company that designs and sells ultra-low-power wireless System-on-Chip (SoC) devices for Industrial IoT (IIoT) applications. The portfolio centers on the NanoBeacon no-code Bluetooth Low Energy platform (IN100 first generation and IN120 second generation with integrated temperature sensor), the SMULL-based IN618 low-latency SoC, the IN612L SDR networking chip, and the IN610 Bluetooth 5 SoC. Sales are made via global electronics distributors (DigiKey, Mouser, Seltech, IDK, Karimex) and direct to OEMs, complemented by a free NanoBeacon Config Tool (Windows/macOS/Linux) and the NanoBeacon BLE Scanner mobile app.
Is InPlay Inc. a public or private company?
InPlay Inc. is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was InPlay Inc. founded?
InPlay Inc. was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is InPlay Inc. based?
InPlay Inc. is headquartered in Irvine, United States, in the North America region.
How does InPlay Inc. make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Wireless SoC Chip Sales are the primary driver. The others are evaluation and Development Kits.
Who are InPlay Inc.'s main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Texas Instruments, STMicroelectronics, Silicon Labs, Renesas Electronics and NXP Semiconductors. Direct peers are Nordic Semiconductor, Telink Semiconductor and Espressif Systems. Atmosic Technologies is listed as an emerging player. Minew is listed as an others.
Does InPlay Inc. have an API?
No public API is recorded for InPlay Inc..
What industry is InPlay Inc. in?
InPlay Inc.'s product category is Wireless IoT Semiconductors. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHABAA, Mobile & Wireless Connectivity SoCs (Modem/Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth/GNSS), with a secondary code of CRACAKAI, Embedded, Maker Platforms & Development Kits Retail. Its NAICS code is 3341 and its SIC code is 5065.