In 2013, Quirky saw a shift: the community began submitting ideas for smart home innovations. Recognizing this trend, we spun out Wink as a separate company focused on connected living. Backed by GE, Wink aimed to simplify the smart home—bridging hardware, software, and multiple brands into one intuitive platform.
Created at Quirky, NYC
CREATING WINK
We launched Wink as an open operating system for smart home products. The Wink app lets users control everything—from unlocking doors to adjusting lights—with a swipe. Seamless integration across competing brands was key, and Wink quickly connected with over 100 products from 15 manufacturers. We set up shop in SoHo—literally—in the last remaining garage space. It became our hub for building a new standard in smart home design.
50% of active Wink users have linked more than three devices to Wink, and that number continues to grow.
—2014 Data Point
PRODUCT AND MARKET LAUNCH
Relay, our in-wall smart switch, brings smart home control from your phone and onto the wall. It made multi-user access and central home management a breeze. We launched Wink with a high-profile press event, converting a SoHo apartment into a working smart home showroom.
Our go-to-market strategy combined e-commerce, retail, and bundled promotions. We launched Wink.com in partnership with R/GA and our in-house team, giving us full control over the digital experience. At retail, we created custom endcaps in over 3,600 Target, Home Depot, and Best Buy locations. And to reduce barriers for new users, we partnered with brands to offer free Wink hubs with select connected products.
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Designed at
Quirky + Wink, NYC
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Creatives
Quirky in-house team
Wink in-house team -
Photography + Videos
Quirky in-house team
Marshall Troy -
Wink.com
Designed at R/GA
Quirky in-house design team -
Advertising
Partners and Spade
Quirky in-house team