The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)® today announced that MaiTai Global Inc. will hold the semi-finals of the Extreme Tech Challenge at the 2015 International CES. The Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC) brings together targeted resources and world-class advisors to help high-energy entrepreneurs execute their ideas. Owned and produced by CEA, the 2015 CES, the world’s gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies, will run January 6-9 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The XTC semi-finals will take place 2-3:30 PM Thursday January 8 at The Venetian. The top 10 XTC semi-finalists will be invited to the event and asked to present to the XTC Judges Circle. The event will be broadcast live and three finalists will be selected and invited to the finals to be held on Necker Island on February 6, 2015, with Sir Richard Branson as the special guest judge.
“I think to encourage people to push themselves to the limit…or to the limits…that’s even better, is admirable, and I’m delighted to be involved as a judge,” said Branson.
“We are thrilled that a global competition focused on supporting entrepreneurs has chosen the 2015 CES as the venue to hold their semi-finals,” said Karen Chupka, senior vice president, International CES and corporate business strategy, CEA. “Adding this exciting competition to our line-up of events dedicated to the future of technology is part of our continuing commitment to providing opportunities for startups and entrepreneurs at CES.”
Bill Tai, co-founder, MaiTai Global/XTC added, “CES is the ultimate event to showcase our Top 10 finalists. These innovative and disruptive companies were picked from a field of 1,800 applicants and the quality of their products is very deserving of the massive exposure that CES can bring with its more than 150,000 attendees and more than 5,000 media attending.”
The Extreme Tech Challenge was developed to provide exposure and capital to accelerate product development by providing free infrastructure and other start-up boosters from world class vendors. The final pitch and feedback session are held at Necker Island in February. Top contestants, semi-finalists and finalists are awarded startup assistance including: access to funding, free infrastructure (web services and hosting), distribution support, donated office space, free investment banking consultation and donated legal and tax advice.
The 2015 CES will feature more than 3,500 exhibitors unveiling the latest consumer technology products and services across the entire ecosystem of consumer technologies. Twenty category-specific marketplaces highlighting innovation across diverse product areas will also be featured at the 2015 show.
