5 Philly startups spotted at CES 2018

It’s at least a little ironic that Wednesday, at what is arguably the biggest and flashiest technology show in the world, the power went out for a good couple of hours.

Naturally, chaos ensued at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas: some attendees were evacuated, some people got their phones trapped in fancy charging stations and others fumbled in the dark unable to get their usual doses of peppy demos.

“It was crazy,” said Anthony Gold, COO of ROAR for Good, who attended the event alongside cofounder Yasmine Mustafa. “But thankfully it didn’t hit our booth.” The duo spoke Wednesday on a panel called “A New Face of Tech: Empowered Women and Male Allies.”

Here are Gold and Mustafa checking out their company’s Athena device at Comcast’s XFINITY Home pavilion:

We are so excited to see our device, Athena in the @XFINITY booth at #ces2018! pic.twitter.com/6u2RqcR44L

— ROAR for Good (@ROARforGood) January 11, 2018

Mustafa credits the company’s 2017 CES attendance with landing key connections, like meeting Chinese manufacturer Flex, retail partners and HSN. “We’re excited to go from attendees to exhibiting in our own booth at Eureka Park this year,” the founder said.

Tern Water founder and CEO Mohamed Zerban, who penned an op-ed last year on why Philly should have a unified presence at the trade show, was also in Vegas doing the rounds.

“CES this year is super exciting, and smart cities have been the main theme,” Zerban said. “We’ve been having nonstop meetings for the Smart Faucet. Meetings with suppliers, manufacturers, distribution channels, and a few potential customers. Excited to make a few announcements on this next week.”

Tern Water CEO Mohamed Zerban (left) and Engineering Director Jon Colosimo. (Courtesy photo)

A CES veteran of six years, STRATIS CEO Felicite Moorman joined a discussion on Wednesday called “Turn the Ordinary Home into A Smart One: Minimize Pain and Maximize Gain,” moderated by Internet of Things reporter Stacey Higginbotham. 

We have smart phones, watches, and cars. Obviously a smart house is next ! 🏘 @DanHerscovici with @comcast speaks with @gigastacey @mbaratz @FeliciteMoorman and @b8ta about the convenience of having a house with a high IQ✨ #CES2018 #familytechtv pic.twitter.com/xe3OtgEu8d

— FamilyTech Summit (@FamTechSummit) January 10, 2018

Amino cofounder Will Luttrell also donned the speaker bib to tackle a burning question in a panel aptly titled “WTF is Blockchain?”

Had a great time speaking at #CES2018 about the basics of blockchain. Truly one of the most exciting technologies since the internet. @MediaComUS pic.twitter.com/Z069EleJYv

— Will Luttrell (@will_luttrell) January 10, 2018

Medical Guardian, makers of a medical alert system for seniors, landed Monday in Vegas.

“We’ve had an incredible response so far at CES, including many conversations about the innovative concept of connected care and how important it is to improving quality of life,” said Medical Guardian CEO Geoff Gross. “With 10,000 boomers turning 65 every day, we’re at a unique junction where a rapidly aging population is coinciding with unprecedented advancements in technology, especially where healthcare is concerned. Being at CES to debut the Freedom Guardian — a wearable solution that helps keep older adults healthy, safe, socially engaged, mobile and productive — is exciting for our whole team.”