Continued investments in start-ups, new technologies, new services, and cutting-edge software will drive the next wave of connected solutions. Startups are targeting every aspect of consumers’ lives from our homes to our vehicles.  Applications vary from safety, security, comfort, convenience, health and wellness. The emergence of AI, blockchain and other new technologies, opens up many new solutions for both horizontal and vertical applications.  These new innovations and business models target consumer/customer’s pain points and disrupt incumbent players’ business models.. 

• The average number of connected devices per U.S. broadband household is 10.5, the majority are connected entertainment and consumer electronics.
• In Q4 2018, 25% of U.S. BB HHs have at least one smart home device; that is a near tripling from 9% device ownership in 2014. In addition, the average number of smart home devices owned has increased over a year from .9 to 1.4, evidence that owners value their devices.
• Smart speakers with voice assistant continue their growth, with adoption increasing from 3% in 2016 to 31% at the end of 2018.

Moderated by Denise Ernst the CONNECTIONS™ session, “Investments: Identifying Growth Areas,” addresses venture capital and investment experts discuss the leading areas of investment within the smart home industry, identifying priorities among investors and future investments within emerging technology like blockchain and AI.

This session takes place on Thursday, May 23, from 2:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Speakers include:

• Greg Berkin, Managing Director, Concours Ventures
• Nicholas Davidov, Co-Founder, Gagarin Capital
• Maria Karaivanova, Venture Investor, Madrona Venture Group

For more information visit www.connectionsus.com