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Unboxing CES 2022

CES is one of the most-anticipated global consumer electronics events of the year and after experimenting with a fully virtual format in 2021, CES will finally be opening its doors again IRL in 2022. What improvements can attendees expect from this new event?

We look forward to returning to Las Vegas this January and have seen incredible momentum over the past few weeks leading up to the show. All CES attendees must be fully vaccinated to join us in person and we are creating a digital event to share the magic of an in-person show with digital audiences from around the world. Audiences will have access to exhibitors, conference sessions, keynotes and product announcements from Las Vegas. We are incorporating our learnings from the all-digital CES 2021 to create a truly unique experience. This evolution gives people who may not have been able to participate before access to the show. The digital event also gives new and emerging exhibitors a larger platform to share how their unique innovations can move industries forward.

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Consumer Technology Association

How will the CTA’s recent licensing of Web Summit’s proprietary “Summit Engine” software improve networking opportunities for CES 2022 attendees?

CES will be held in-person in Las Vegas and all exhibitors and speakers will be joining is there. However we recognize not all of those who want to participate will be able to join us in person this year.  CTA selected Web Summit as the technology provider for CES 2022 digital platform because the cloud-based platform was built to convene both in-person and digital audiences around the world. We wanted a platform that would help all attendees stay connected. Those participating in person will use the digital platform to plan their CES schedule and connect with other participants. Digital audiences will have the opportunity to share the excitement of the in-person event by accessing live keynotes, viewing select conference sessions and connecting with exhibitors and other attendees. Exhibitors with a physical presence in Las Vegas can expand their reach to CES digital audiences with this creative platform to showcase their product launches and thought leadership.

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Consumer Technology Association

The speaker lineup for CES 2022 is filled with some notable luminaries & thought-leaders. Which speakers are you most looking forward to hearing from?

We have hundreds of industry experts and thought leaders joining us to cover a wide array of topics at CES 2022. We’re excited to have Abbott President and CEO Robert Ford give our first-ever healthcare keynote. Abbott will discuss how the pandemic has led to rapid advancement in healthcare technology.

Samsung’s Jong-Hee (JH) Han and GM’s Mary Barra will also join us on the keynote stage. Samsung’s keynote is a call to action to mitigate climate change and the company will show how everyone can do their part in building a sustainable planet. GM has committed to unveiling the first all-electric Chevy Silverado. CES 2022 will highlight how the pandemic has accelerated innovation across all industries and serve as a sounding board for how businesses can evolve to address the growing need for tech that improves people’s lives.

We’re also introducing a new “Great Minds” conference programming series to feature how some industry leaders are shaping the future with technologies once deemed impossible. These speakers will explore how innovation is enabling global connectivity and empowering under-represented voices—steering companies through a time of incredible societal change. They will ask questions like “What will transportation look like in five years?”; “How can governments spur innovation?” and more.

Health tech has grown immensely over the past two years, with innovative trends spanning patient care, wearables, at-home fitness and telehealth services. Consumers are taking health into their own hands, especially as we’re spending more time at home. We’re also beginning to see ways that tech is helping people improve their mental health — an important, but sometimes overshadowed part of healthcare.

Increased interest in electric vehicles and self-driving technology has also made the automotive market one to watch. Advancing electric and self-driving vehicles will be critical to developing smart and resilient infrastructure by providing sustainable and accessible transportation options for communities. The automotive and transportation category at CES 2022 is tracking for record growth with more than 200 exhibitors committed to the show. We’ll see how this increasingly competitive market has spurred unique solutions from emerging innovators. Some first-time exhibitors for CES 2022 include VinFast, Vietnam’s first EV car company, TuSimple, who will unveil an autonomous freight truck, and Evocargo, which is manufacturing autonomous hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Smart home, entertainment and gaming have also seen growth as people look for ways they can make time at home more convenient and more enjoyable. Our new category food tech will even feature exhibitors highlighting advancements in meal kit and food delivery services, making it easier to cook at home.


Interested in CES? Register your Sesamers profile to see who else is going!

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Fundraising 1 day ago

The UK’s fintech landscape is witnessing a new wave of institutional backing as specialised accelerators emerge to bridge the gap between early-stage innovation and scalable growth. Against this backdrop, Antidote has secured €2.95M (£2.5M) in funding to launch its accelerator programme focused on fintech and Bitcoin-adjacent technologies. The funding signals renewed confidence in the UK’s position as a global fintech hub, despite ongoing regulatory uncertainties around digital assets. Led by Fulgur Ventures, the round reflects the growing appetite among European investors for infrastructure plays that can nurture the next generation of financial technology companies. The timing aligns with increasing institutional adoption of Bitcoin and digital assets across traditional finance, creating demand for specialised support structures. Fintech accelerator funding attracts specialist investors Fulgur Ventures’ decision to lead this round underscores the firm’s thesis around Bitcoin infrastructure and the tools needed to support mainstream adoption. The Venice-based venture capital firm, known for backing Lightning Network infrastructure companies and Bitcoin-native startups, sees Antidote as a strategic platform to identify and develop promising UK fintech talent. “The UK remains one of Europe’s most vibrant fintech ecosystems, but there’s a clear gap in specialised support for Bitcoin and crypto-adjacent innovations,” notes a Fulgur partner familiar with the investment. “Antidote’s approach combines traditional accelerator methodology with deep domain expertise in digital assets.” The investor’s portfolio strategy focuses on companies building critical infrastructure for Bitcoin adoption, from payment rails to custody solutions. Antidote fits this thesis by positioning itself as a talent pipeline for the next wave of Bitcoin-enabled financial services. Bridging traditional fintech with digital asset innovation Antidote’s programme targets the intersection between established fintech verticals and emerging digital asset opportunities. This positioning reflects broader market dynamics where traditional financial services increasingly integrate blockchain-based solutions, creating demand for hybrid expertise. The accelerator plans to support 8-12 startups per cohort, providing €50,000 in initial funding alongside mentorship from industry veterans. The programme specifically targets companies working on payment infrastructure, trading platforms, custody solutions, and compliance technology for digital assets. “We’re seeing exceptional talent in the UK who understand both traditional financial services and the technical nuances of Bitcoin,” explains Antidote’s founding team. “Our role is to provide the runway and expertise needed to turn these insights into scalable businesses.” The funding will support programme operations, mentor network development, and follow-on investment capacity for portfolio companies. Antidote also plans to establish partnerships with major UK financial institutions seeking exposure to digital asset innovation without direct investment risk. This launch reflects the maturation of Europe’s digital asset ecosystem, where specialised support infrastructure is emerging to complement general-purpose accelerators. With regulatory clarity improving across EU markets, accelerators like Antidote are positioning to capture the next wave of fintech innovation at the intersection of traditional finance and digital assets.

Fundraising 1 day ago

Germany’s tax advisory sector faces a looming crisis. With 57% of the country’s tax advisors aged over 50, the profession confronts both a demographic cliff and mounting pressure to digitalise decades-old processes. Into this gap steps AnyTax, which has secured €1 million in pre-seed funding from IBB Ventures to modernise Germany’s tax infrastructure through intelligent automation. The Berlin-based startup’s timing couldn’t be more strategic. As Germany’s Mittelstand grapples with increasingly complex tax regulations whilst traditional advisors edge towards retirement, AnyTax’s platform promises to bridge the growing expertise gap through technology that augments rather than replaces human judgment. German tax modernisation attracts strategic investment IBB Ventures’ investment reflects a broader recognition that Germany’s tax advisory market—worth billions annually—requires urgent technological intervention. The Berlin-based VC, backed by the city’s investment bank, has consistently backed companies addressing structural inefficiencies in German business processes. “The German tax system’s complexity creates both challenges and opportunities,” notes an IBB Ventures spokesperson. “AnyTax’s approach of augmenting advisor capabilities rather than replacing them aligns perfectly with how German professional services are evolving.” The funding round positions AnyTax within a growing cohort of European RegTech companies that specifically address continental European regulatory environments, rather than adapting Anglo-Saxon solutions. This localised approach proves increasingly valuable as EU member states maintain distinct professional service requirements. Addressing Germany’s tax advisor shortage through technology AnyTax’s platform targets the critical bottleneck facing German businesses: accessing quality tax advice amid advisor shortages. The company’s technology enables existing advisors to handle larger caseloads whilst maintaining compliance standards, effectively multiplying capacity within the existing professional framework. The startup’s solution addresses uniquely German challenges, including the complex interplay between federal and state tax obligations that confounds even sophisticated international businesses operating in Europe’s largest economy. By automating routine compliance tasks, AnyTax frees advisors to focus on strategic tax planning—precisely where human expertise adds most value. Founder insights suggest the €1 million will primarily fund platform development and partnerships with established German tax advisory firms, recognising that success requires deep integration with existing professional networks rather than attempting to bypass them entirely. AnyTax’s funding reflects broader momentum in European professional services technology, where regulatory complexity creates sustainable competitive moats for startups that truly understand local market dynamics. As Germany’s tax landscape grows increasingly sophisticated, platforms like AnyTax become essential infrastructure rather than mere efficiency tools.

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