IFA Next Programme

Consumer electronics and appliance brands are adapting to new laws and public anxiety about escalating e-waste and climate change, with incremental improvements to product recyclability and reparability. However, these are rapidly becoming table stakes.

In this talk, Matthew will examine the current sustainability landscape, its historical backdrop, and the forces shaping the transition to closed-loop product systems. Where product reuse, part recovery, and remanufacturing is prioritised over recycling by mining returned products from previous generations. And assess the strategic implications for businesses ecosystems and supply chains.

How can consumer electronics contribute to building a more sustainable future and promote environmental conservation? In this session, Fairphone's founder, Bas van Abel, explores the latest advancements in eco-friendly design, supply chain and fair materials in the consumer electronics landscape. Join this talk to learn about innovative ideas and strategies for creating environmentally responsible products and minimizing the industry's ecological footprint.

Which groundbreaking innovations are set to transform the home electronics landscape, encompassing media, entertainment, audio, and video technologies, driving advancements in the consumer electronics space? The global home electronics market size is projected to experience significant growth in the coming years. A corporate leader shares their market perspective and predictions, along with the cutting-edge tech and enablers being developed by emerging startups that they're most excited about. Attend this session to understand the opportunities and gaps in the market, empowering you to stay at the forefront of the dynamic home electronics landscape and capitalize on the latest trends and innovations that cater to evolving consumer demands in media, entertainment, audio, and video.

Immerse yourself in this session designed to provide invaluable insights and practical advice on securing media coverage, pitching to retailers, and setting up an effective communications and marketing strategy. During this talk, participants will learn what drives media attention, how to craft compelling stories, and the essential elements of a successful media pitch. Discover what retailers are looking for in innovative products and how to showcase your offerings in a way that captures their interest. Additionally, explore the key components of a strategic communications and marketing plan that will resonate with your target audience and drive brand visibility. Startup founders, investors, and marketing professionals will benefit from expert guidance and actionable strategies to elevate their media presence, forge strong relationships with retailers, and create impactful communications that drive growth and success in the competitive consumer electronics landscape. Don't miss this opportunity to fine-tune your media and visibility approach, setting your brand up for success.

A 5-Question Exploration of Tomorrow's Content, Interaction, and Brands. Will humanity change to match the future or will the future be more human-centric?

The future of next-gen media is experiential, immersive, and gamified. How can we future-proof our brands and businesses for this next wave of technological innovation? Will artificial intelligence and generative A.I surpass the primal need for human creatives? In this interactive keynote address, Samantha Tauber (award-winning Musician, Creative Director, Futurist, and Storyteller) will explore a pragmatic and energising path forward for next-gen immersive media. She will showcase this as her globally renowned fictional Super Sentient A.I Superheroine Metaverse avatar, VNCCII.

As traditional social media platforms like Facebook continue to lose their appeal, people are searching for more meaningful connections in genuine communities. This talk will explore the growing trend of "New Social" and showcase examples like Les Amis, a women-focused social platform that has gained traction by providing a trusted space for its members to be themselves. You'll learn tricks on how to build a community that scales, with a focus on authenticity and building trust. Join us to discover how you can create a thriving community that meets the needs of your audience in the post-Facebook era.

In the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of technology, effective leadership is paramount to steer organizations towards success. This talk will delve into the characteristics that define successful tech leaders in today's dynamic landscape. As a psychologist and leadership coach, Elina works with founders, investors and teams to elevate their leadership. You will learn mindsets and strategies that she sees as invaluable for effectively navigating the challenges of leading self – in order to lead others. Finally, we will examine how psychedelic assisted coaching can expand consciousness, and thereby accelerate your leadership game.

How is gaming technology, the cornerstone of an industry projected to surpass $300 billion by 2025, shaping the trajectory of virtual environments? Moreover, how does AI intersect in this narrative? Bear witness to the remarkable fusion of gaming, AI, and the metaverse as they intricately weave together, redefining the very essence of our digital existence. Acquire unparalleled insights into the incessant evolution of gaming and media domains, and, of greater significance, discern how these pioneering advancements can be harnessed across a spectrum of industries.

Which innovations are set to unleash the full potential of IoT in smart homes, buildings, and cities, transforming consumer experiences and driving innovation in the consumer electronics space? The global IoT market size for smart living is projected to reach new heights in the coming years. An investor shares their market perspective and predictions, along with the real-world applications and innovations they're most excited about. Attend this session to understand the opportunities and gaps in the market, empowering you to stay at the forefront of the dynamic IoT landscape in smart homes, buildings, and cities.

In 2007, Thomas Holl and his three co-founders created the world's first online language learning application in a small office in Berlin-Kreuzberg. Bringing products to life was nothing new for him, as he had been building software and games on his first PC since childhood, but this proved to be something special: Today, Babbel employs a team of 1,000 in Berlin and New York and has become the world's top-selling online language platform, with the United States standing as its strongest market. Getting there, however, has been a rollercoaster ride, with severe lows and now incredible successes. Join Thomas as he delves into the intricacies of Babbel's expansion, highlighting the contrasts between European and American business practices and consumer mindsets. Discover how a company can reignite its start-up spirit even as it becomes a successful scale-up.

In the fast-paced and competitive landscape of startups, achieving sustainable growth and successfully scaling a business is a significant challenge. This session aims to provide entrepreneurs, founders, and industry professionals with valuable insights and practical strategies to propel their startups to the next stage of growth. Through expert insights, real-world case studies, and interactive discussions, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the key factors influencing startup growth and learn effective approaches to overcome common obstacles on the path to scaling.

AI and technology are driving the transformation process of businesses and organizations nowadays.  Customer preferences are dynamic, they keep changing. AI can be a powerful tool in aiding us to evolve in an equally dynamic measure. Raul will demonstrate how Conversational AI becomes a part of a journey in decoding customer's mental model and creating memories and stories that greatly enhance customer experience. He shows you how to use  Science Fiction narrative to create positive experiences for your customers while saving them time and energy at the same time and how AI will, now and in the future, be an indispensable tool for creating strong brand loyalty.

What does the future hold for the consumer electronics industry, and how can businesses prepare for the upcoming challenges and opportunities? Join this forward-looking session to explore the emerging trends, technologies, and potential game-changers that will shape the consumer electronics landscape in the years to come. Don't miss this session to gain a comprehensive understanding of the future developments in the industry and learn how to position your organization for success in the ever-changing world of consumer electronics.

All the sector spotlight winners will compete in the pitch battle finals in front of a panel of investor judges, who along with the audience, will decide who is the IFA Next pitchbattle champion.

We all know business is best done over a drink. During Deals over Drinks we bridge the gap between startups, investors and corporate innovators in an informal setting for you to showcase your latest in tech to those who truly matter. Join us for the most relevant industry matchmaking event happening at IFA Berlin.

Fortune 100 organizations are using science fiction prototyping to develop and implement far more radical innovations, to transform organizational culture from being reactive to proactive, and to develop their leaders to be more future literate and future ready.  This keynote will highlight how sci-fi is being used as a strategic transformation tool with examples and applications from a variety of different use cases and emerging technologies like spacial computing, Generative AI and ethics.

Learn the art of pitching from Europe's leading pitch coach and creator of The Pitch Canvas©, David Beckett, as he shares insider tips on captivating audiences, convincing investors of your startup's potential, and sealing the deal. This info-packed session offers actionable insights and proven strategies for startups at all stages. Don't miss this unique opportunity to refine your pitch and secure funding!