19.05 - 0.00 CEST
IoT or the Internet of Things is one of the most important trends that has shaped the private and business environment and will continue to do so. Trends show that in the next few years, smart and connected devices will gradually replace old-fashioned ones – unconnected and stupid.
Smart and connected devices, what are they actually?
We are talking of devices that are connected to the Internet via a network, which enables constant verification of the device’s state (geographic location, functioning …) and its sensors (for example temperature, camera, motion detection …). At the same time, constant connectivity of devices allows them to “collaborate” with other connected devices. For example, the smart thermostat Nest knows when we are coming closer to o home, based on our mobile phone location, and can thus turn on the air conditioning at the right time.
If we mention only a few of the most famous smart devices that recently profoundly shook up behavioural patterns and their industries: smart thermostat Nest made our homes economical and smart, smart car Tesla is capable of autonomous driving and accident prediction, smart house assistant Google Home or Amazon Alexa enable voice management of devices in our homes, playing music or browsing the Internet, or the simple Phillips lightbulb Hue, which you can manage over your mobile phone. Of course, besides these listed user devices, there is a large number of those that enable companies more effective or safer business operations.
Where to start and where are the business opportunities hiding?
Four guests of this year’s Müsli will enable a comprehensive view into the IoT world:
Chuck Goldman is an investor and executive director for IoT at the American Sky Ventures Group, which specializes for investments into new technologies and innovations in the field of health. Before Chuck headed into investor waters, he was a close colleague of the legendary Steve Jobs as a senior Apple executive. Chuck will reveal the future of the connected world and where it hides the business opportunities for startups.
Uroš Mesarič Kunst is a leading tech engineer in Comtrade Digital Services and responsible for IoT services. He will introduce the development and functioning of the tech IoT platforms Eclipse Kapua in Eclipse Kura. At the same time, he will put together a simple IoT device live, with help of a Raspberry Pi computer and a temperature sensor.
Dr. Dušan Heric is the founder and CEO of Poligram, which is developing and marketing the tracking system Trak8. Dušan will explain how he created a profitable business with smart trackers, and which were the key challenges in developing and marketing his solution.
Robert Sraka, businessman, tech enthusiast, and director of technology and innovations at Zavarovalnica Sava. Robert will talk about when and how the insurance company sees IoT, and why they are partnering up with Venture Factory and connecting with startups more and more intensely. Robert will also announce a big autumn hackathon that will make the entrepreneurial autumn in our town that much more colourful.
Three arguments why you shouldn’t miss this Müsli
- IoT isn’t only the future but also the present. For understanding the business world, we need to have a good understanding of IoT in order to co-create the future.
- IoT is a business model, not only smart devices. That’s why it’s necessary to understand the entire ecosystem that the mega trend of IoT brings.
- If you don’t wish to stay in the “stone age” but rather participate in changing the world and co-creating innovations, then you should meet the startuppers and corporate representatives that are key in future changes.
The event will be in English.
Establishing contacts for expanding the business network
Between 11:00 and 14:00, an organized meeting will take place, with Chuck Goldman, Jure Verhovnik, and other consultants of Venture Factory, intended for Venture Factory members with the purpose of connecting and entering global markets.Pre-summer meet-up of the Maribor startup community
This year’s Startup Müsli will be the last one before the summer break, so we invite all Maribor-based startuppers to toast to the successful first half of the year and to new challenges that await us in the second half. The meet-up will be joined by representatives of bigger established companies that are actively connecting with the Maribor startup community: Nova KBM, Zavarovalnica Sava, Pošta Slovenije, Comtrade Digital Services and Večer.The event will take place until 22:00, followed by informal socializing.