1st ever ISmart Conference / Focuses on Internet of Things – Tuesday, February 24 – Zappa / Jerusalem

This is going to be special.

When my friend Nir Kouris told me about this really cool event, I thought about my childhood, growing up on James Bond movies, thinking about what might be with wearable computers, and how one day a Dick Tracey smart watch / phone might actually happen.

The future is right before you…at the first ever ISmart Conference, focusing on the future of the Internet of Things (IoT).

You’ve got to come because of the speakers, the programming and the fact that you’ll get a slight peek into the future with some cool new product ideas that could come to fruition and possibly be the next big company in the IoT space.

Taking place this Tuesday, February 24^th at Zappa Jerusalem, the conference, hosted by Jerusalem Venture Partners (JVP), LeumiTech and the Jerusalem Development Authority (JDA), will examine growing market opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors, companies, designers, technologists, consumers and IoT users on a global scale. Participants will include IoT experts, senior hi-tech executives, entrepreneurs and investors.

To Register, Just Click Here.

The conference will showcase innovative Israeli startups leading the IoT revolution. Among the innovations featured at the conference:

• Nano-drone cameras and next-gen automated drones
• Augmented-reality ski goggles
• Cyber-security for connected cars
• Smart bracelets to help locate children in distress
• Portable electric vehicles
• Smart home systems for managing power consumption
• Smartphone apps for auto maintenance
• Android-based applications for smart-cars
• A unique solar-powered suitcase that enables tech accessories to be charged in the field

Meet the “Real-Life  Q” Who Builds Secret Spy Gadgets for a Living

The keynote speaker at the conference will be Ralph Osterhout, who will be presenting his vision of “The Big Tomorrow.” Mr. Osterhout has developed over 2,000 products and collaborated on hundreds of product lines for many startups and Fortune 500 companies. In 1999, he founded ODG (Osterhout Design Group) which specializes in augmented reality and smart glasses innovations. Osterhout will present the latest model of his smart glasses at the conference.

Also presenting is Inbar Lasser-Raab, VP and head of IoT at Cisco, who will present Cisco’s vision of the Smart Cities Revolution and their latest developments in the field.

Leading investors in the Israeli hi-tech industry will discuss investments in the IoT space and provide advice to entrepreneurs. These include Kobi Rozengarten, JVP Managing Partner, Mony Hassid, Managing Director of Qualcomm Ventures Israel, Yair Shoham, Partner at Intel Capital Israel, Nitzan Cohen-Arazi, Program Manager of Program Manager at hub:raum TLV Powered by Deutsche Telekom and Gal Kalkshtein, Entrepreneur and Investor, GKI Group.

The conference will conclude with a competition for IoT Design projects from Bezalel Academy of Art design students. The students’ IoT Design course was the first-of-its-kind and was created in collaboration with JVP, JDA and the Bezalel Academy of Art. The winning team will travel to Berlin and visit the hub:raum incubator (the incubator of Deutsche Telekom). The prize will be sponsored by hub:raum TLV.

Among the projects in the competition: LUMI – a magical flashlight for children. Bill Bouncer – real-time control systems for electricity consumption. WAA – a device that can determine the cause of a baby’s crying. RainGo– a sensor attached to an umbrella that enables real-time identification of the weather. Sofi– a smartphone case with sensors that can detect emotions.

Alongside the conference, there will also be an exhibition of Israeli startups with breakthrough technology in wearable technology, IoT, Smart Cities, connected cars, Smart Homes, drones, and more.

“As a venture capital fund which invests in IoT, we are pleased to be among the partners in the first ISmart conference in Israel,” said JVP Partner Uri Adoni. “We believe such events will support Israeli entrepreneurs in this exciting field, which is becoming more and more significant in the global hi-tech arena.”  “The world of IoT touches upon almost every aspect of technology and it’s important that we bring the entrepreneurship and innovation in these fascinating areas center stage, “said Yifat Oron, CEO of LeumiTech. “LeumiTech of the Leumi Group is proud to be the financial home of hi-tech firms both in Israel and in tech hubs worldwide. Over the past year, we have developed a package of comprehensive financial services for hi-tech companies which accompany them throughout the various stages of their development. We see these technology leaders in fields such as IoT as full partners and continue to strive to strengthen the Israeli hi-tech industry and give it the crucial tools it needs to compete in the global marketplace.”

“In this age of IoT, the City of Jerusalem is also connected,” said Udi Ben-Dror, Acting CEO of the Jerusalem Development Authority. “In recent years, a vibrant center of technological innovation has emerged in our city, supported by the Jnext program of the Jerusalem Development Authority and other organizations.Thanks to this support, some one hundred startups were established in the city last year which raised some $200 million from investors. Many multinationals and large Israeli companies are also active in the city. As such, Jerusalem has become a significant player in both the local and international startup scenes.”