Between Jan. 7-10, Las Vegas will host the CES 2020 event, showing off some of the newest consumer tech (Photo via Facebook).
Editors Note: The original title of this article was "Meet the 29 Companies Bringing Their Tech to CES 2020." Since publishing, NTX Inno has been made aware of two other companies exhibiting at CES 2020. This article and the headline have been updated to reflect that.
Technology-focused startups and those who are just interested in the newest gadgets and innovation are gearing up for one of the most closely watched events in the industry. The Consumer Electronics Show (CES), held in Las Vegas each year, gives a glimpse into the breakthrough products of the coming year.
From Jan. 7-10, more than 175,000 attendees are expected to check out more than 4,500 companies from across the country, looking at the latest trends.
While once known more for flat screen TVs and cellphones, CES, which has been owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association, this year CES promises to showcase new wireless and smart tech to canine lifestyle-focused tech, with everything in between. And that’s just companies from North Texas.
Of course, some of the major players from the Metroplex, like Bell, Toyota and Texas Instruments will be there, but nearly 30 other startups and small businesses from the region will be joining them at the event.
Now, let’s take a look at the official CES exhibitors from North Texas.
- ALC Wireless/Atom Labs: This Flower Mound-based company provides wireless home security solutions. It will be presenting in the sensors and biometrics, video and wireless devices product categories.
- AT&T Business: This Dallas-based B2B-focused subsidiary of the North Texas telecom giant will be showcasing edge-to-edge tech.
- Azpen Innovation: This Plano-based global supplier of consumer electronics, including tablets, PCs and integrated smart home products, was founded in 2008. Azpen’s Innovation team works with businesses to develop “intelligent and affordable” cost saving solutions.
- Bell: This Fort Worth-based aerospace giant will be focusing on the future of air transportation. The company will be showcasing its electric and hybrid vertical takeoff and landing aircraft the Nexus. Bell is working with Uber to develop the craft to autonomously carry passengers between cities with a network of “vertiports.” The company unveiled the craft at CES in 2019.[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozjLlc7XNX4[/embed]
- Brainchild Electronic: This Taipei-based smart home security product-focused company created McKinney-based smart home and IoT product development company Brilong. Brilong focuses on integrating voice control with home security devices. The North Texas company is led by CEO John Peng.
- CharaChorder: This Plano-based company is looking change the way people type, game and code on a computer, replacing the typical QWERTY keyboard with one it describes as “if your mouse and keyboard had a baby with a stenograph… on steroids.” CharaChorder was launched in 2015 by founder and inventor Riley Keen. Earlier this year, the company participated in CodeLaunch accelerator’s pitch event.
- Coinsource: Cryptocurrency is in, and Fort Worth-based Coinsource is getting in on the action. The company, founded in 2015, creates and operates networks of Bitcoin ATMs across the U.S. Coinsource has more than 224 machines where users can buy and sell the digital currency in its network.
- Dogness Group: This China-based pet lifestyle product company opened its U.S. headquarters in Plano in 2018. The company focuses on bringing tech to dog leashes, holding more than 120 patents.[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhPFAVkD9b0[/embed]
- Poco Graphite: This Decatur-based producer of technical materials, including semiconductors and glass industry products, is part of Massachusetts-based Entegris, which has about 3,5000 employees and does around $1 billion in revenue each year.
- Ericsson: This Sweden-based information and communications tech company, with U.S. headquarters in Plano has been around CES for years. The company says about 40% of global mobile traffic runs through its networks. Ericsson will be exhibiting in the vehicle technology, virtual and augmented realities, and the wireless services categories.
- ExportTek: This Carrollton-based consumer electronics wholesale distributor for consumers and businesses, focuses on wireless, IT and mobile devices. ExportTek was created in 2010.
- Forever Gifts: This Arlington-based company designs, brands and sources consumer retail products, with its focus on Crosslight outdoor solar-powered lights and the Nuvelon portable audio device. The company was launched in 2004.
- Fortress UAV: Plano-based drone services company Fortress UAV, along with its newly-created subsidiary ReadyH2, are looking to keep drones in the sky longer while taking the industry to new heights. Fortress was recently named as the repair and services provider for Doosan Mobility Innovation (DMI) in the U.S. Under the partnership, Fortress will also provide technical support for all of DMI’s U.S. customers.
- Garrett Metal Detectors: With more than 50 years of experience in designing and manufacturing metal detection equipment, this Garland-based company has its products in the hands of both hobbyist and professionals alike. The company operates distribution facilities in the U.S., Europe, Australia, and the Middle East.
- GT Throne: Gamers are always looking for a way to get their hands on the best equipment to build their “battle stations.” GT Throne is a Little Elm-based maker of interactive gaming chairs that vibrate to audio. The tech works by connecting a processor that wirelessly sends signals to the chair.[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRvmNYoac2A[/embed]
- Kimberly-Clark: This Irving-based multinational focuses on paper-based consumer products. The company has been around CES for years. In 2015, the firm partnered with the event to host the KChallenge startup pitch competition. In 2019, Kimberly-Clark partnered with South Korea-based CES exhibitor Monit to bring its smart diaper technology to bring the company’s product to its Huggies brand. Last year, the company reported more than $18.5 billion in revenue.
- Lucid Audio: This Fort Worth-based designer and manufacturer of hi-fi audio products, including the Etymotic ER earphones, focuses on quality and ear protection. The company was launch in 2015 and was named one of the best audio equipment companies of 2019 by CG Magazine.
- Luraco Health & Beauty: The health and wellness subsidiary of Arlington-based Luraco Technologies, this company focuses on robotic massage chairs. This would be a good booth to stop by after a long day of checking things out.
- NUU Mobile: This Hong Kong- and Irving-based company was called one of America’s biggest unlocked phone brands by Forbes. NUU’s unlocked Android devices span from high-tech to entry-level smartphones. NUU was launched in 2012.
- Ommo Technologies: This healthcare-focused 3D position tracking software systems startup launched in Dallas in 2015. Ommo raised a $1 million seed round in 2016 and plans to launch a general developers kit in Q3 of 2020.
- Parks Associates: This Addison-based IoT market research firm, founded in 1986 by Tricia Parks, focuses on studying rends in the home and entertainment markets.
- Polte Corporation: This Addison-based startup, which recently announced relocating its HQ from Richardson, focuses on upgrading tracking software from its more traditional reliance on GPS to harness the connectivity and power of cloud technology. The company was launched in 2016 and is led by CEO Ed Chao. This year, Polte landed a $12.5 million Series A-2 from private investors. It raises its first $6 million Series A in 2015.[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPZOhyIBBkI[/embed]
- Quintessential Design: This Minnesota-based design company, which has its design center in Dallas, focuses on its Quin Design Helmets and technologies. Launched in 2017, by a group of diverse women, Quintessential helmets provide automatic crash detection, live location tracking, as well as a number of other features.
- ReadyH2: This Plano-based subsidiary of Fortress UAV is working to develop hydrogen-propelled drones with fuel cells capable of keeping drones in the air longer. Recently, the company worked with Korean-based Doosan Mobility International to develop the DS30 drone, which was able to deliver blood samples across the U.S. Virgin Islands, while flying 43 miles and staying in the air for nearly three hours.
- Siemens Digital Industries Software: The Plano-based division of Germany-based multinational Siemens , focuses on engineering, manufacturing and electronics design to help businesses innovate.
- Syndiant: This Dallas-based company focuses on LCOS digital light modulators. The company was founded in 204 by Karl Guttag and Mark Harward. According to Crunchbase.com, Syndiant has received more than $35 million in total funding since its launch.
- Texas Instruments: This Dallas-based semiconductor giant helped propel North Texas into the tech scene it is today since its founding in 1930. The company operates worldwide, with nearly 30,000 employees and more than $15 billion in revenue last year.
- Toyota: The global automaker will be showing off the new tech it has been developing at its innovation center at its North American HQ in Plano.
- ViewPoint Technology Systems: This Keller-based company, founded by CEO Jim Christopher, focuses on developing user-friendly security and privacy products. On the company’s website, it teases an upcoming product release, which will “unveil a new standard in privacy protection in early 2020
- Winner Wireless: This Dallas-based wholesale cell phone accessory provider operates with the philosophy of “Provide customers with the latest fashionable phone covers, stylish cases, and reliable chargers,” according to a blog post on its Facebook page.
- ZTE USA: This Richardson-based subsidiary of China-based telecom company ZTE Corporation provides solutions for telecom systems, mobile devices and enterprises. ZTE launched in the U.S. in 1998.
