Arctic startup Q&A: Input Labs introduces a game-changing open-source controller

The Arctic region is home to a growing number of innovative startups, each navigating the unique challenges and opportunities of the Far North. In our spotlight series, Five Quick Questions for an Arctic Startup, we’re inviting startups from the Near Arctic and Arctic regions to share their stories and insights on Arctic Today.

This Q&A series provides a platform for startups to answer five key questions, offering a glimpse into their groundbreaking ideas, the distinctiveness of their innovations, and the lessons learned from working in this remote yet vital part of the world. Stay tuned as we explore how these trailblazers are shaping the future of the Arctic economy, infrastructure, and culture. In this instalment of our series Michael Przybilski, Founder and CTO of Input Labs told us about the Finnish startup.

What is your elevator pitch?

With the Alpakka reference design, Input Labs is revolutionizing the way gamers interact with computer systems. Using multiple gyroscopes, we replaced the need for a second thumbstick and instead enable people to directly interact with games, by quickly, yet precisely rotating the controller.

What makes your idea unique and hard to copy?

The Alpakka is a hardware reference design. Though it is an open source design, Input Labs has applied for IPR protection in various parts of the globe.

How does being located in the Far North affect your business, both challenges or benefits?

While Finland is not exactly the center of the world, it has extremely well educated and reliable people, good infrastructure, and a very good world-wide reputation.

Who is your ideal investor?

Our ideal investor would be familiar with the gaming industry and share our passion for open-source and computer games. A willingness to experiment and try new things is also paramount.

What is the hardest or most surprising lesson you have learned?

It is amazing what level of hardware complexity can be achieved successfully, with motivated people, a great community, and the prototyping services available these days.

Would you like to have your startup featured?

All startups in the Far North and Arctic region are invited to participate in a new spotlight series on Arctic Today’s Arctic Business Journal page, called “Five questions for an Arctic startup.”

To participate, submit the following facts and answer the questions in brief elevator-pitch style to in**@ar*********.com. You must also submit your name, a photo of you alone or with your team, and photos of your product, business or location, as appropriate.

Fast facts:

• Industry:
• Location:
• Number of employees:
• Most recent funding:
• Website:
• Team members:

Questions: (Try to answer each question in one paragraph)

1. What is your elevator pitch?
2. What makes your idea unique and hard to copy?
3. How does being located in the Far North affect your business, both challenges or benefits?
4. Who is your ideal investor?
5. What is the hardest or most surprising lesson you have learned?

Please send your name, phone number, email for our editors to contact you if necessary.

Feel free to add additional information not covered in the above items. And don’t forget to include pictures/images.

Submit your completed response to in**@ar*********.com and our editors will prepare it for publication.

(We will write a headline, short intro and, of course, give your text a light copy edit).