CEDIA Expo, the platform where residential technology integration, design and construction professionals connect, learn, and engage, announces The Launchpad. The Launchpad creates a necessary platform for new companies to introduce their brand and technology to the residential technology industry. The Launchpad is designed to highlight brands that have been in business for less than three years and have never exhibited at CEDIA Expo. 

CEDIA Expo introduced The Launchpad as a cost-effective opportunity for emerging brands to market their products. Brands included in The Launchpad will participate in the TechStarter Competition and present short business pitches to CEDIA Expo’s panel of industry expert judges. The judges will evaluate the brands on their product, innovation, opportunity, and marketing and sales strategies. The top brands will be named to the CEDIA Expo 2022 TechStarter FIVE. They will receive a host of special benefits to elevate their new businesses to media, attendees, and customers. The program will culminate with a TechStarter judges panel discussion on the Smart Stage and the selection of the Launchpad TechStarter Grand Prize winner.

The Launchpad

Current brands participating in The Launchpad at CEDIA Expo 2022 include:

guardDog.ai, a growing leader in cybersecurity solutions for consumers and businesses, was selected as the winner of The Launchpad TechStarter competition during CEDIA Expo 2021. Kelly Ryan, director of business development for guardDog.ai, added, “The Launchpad has provided a platform to introduce our cyber security protection product for IoT devices. It was amazing to launch our product on the same stage as Microsoft, Cisco and many others. The Launchpad and the Propel program through CEDIA were the best we could have done to launch our product in the home automation sector.”

“We recognize that new companies need the opportunity to gain exposure to catapult their brands in the marketplace,” said Jason McGraw, CTS, group vice president for CEDIA Expo and KBIS, Emerald. “The Launchpad is designed to highlight new brands and innovations and provide them with unparalleled publicity and an opportunity to engage with integrators, reps and distributors in the industry. We are excited to welcome these new companies to CEDIA Expo, the largest event for the channel in North America.”

The Launchpad has been a pivotal platform for companies to launch their brands and gain exposure to the custom installation community. A few of today’s industry-leading brands, including AXIS, Domotz, Josh.ai and HDMI Staffing, utilized The Launchpad (formerly Innovation Alley) to introduce their brands to the residential technology industry. Brands interested in joining The Launchpad can submit an application to participate. 

Individuals interested in attending CEDIA Expo 2022 from September 29 – October 1, 2022, in Dallas, TX, can register online