Arlington, Va.
– Looking to further its work in developing multi-industry standards and
cooperation in emerging technologies for networked devices, the Consumer
Electronics Association (CEA)said Monday it has acquired a
minority stake in privately-held Global Inventures.
The stated
mission of the more than 15-year-old Global
Inventures is to develop, launch, manage and grow collaborative business
ecosystems in the high tech, energy and healthcare markets, while helping
manufacturers accelerate the process of bringing new technologies market.
Its work in
forming and managing industry alliances is said to have “facilitated strategic
collaboration among stakeholders and fostered the growth of numerous ecosystems
around new technologies and initiatives.”
In the past the
company has worked on putting together such “ecosystem alliances” as Zigbee, SD
Card, Home PNA, OCA and WiMedia.
Beyond networked devices, the company works with clean/green
energy and healthcare technologies.
“This strategic investment is the logical next step in CEA’s relationship with Inventures,” stated Gary
Shapiro, CEA’s president and CEO. “The investment complements our efforts to
encourage innovation and bring to market new industry standards and products by
increasing our work with emerging technologies for networked consumer
electronics and devices. CEA’s investment with Inventures is significant
financially and gives us minority ownership. It reflects our respect for
Inventures’ expertise and global approach to advancing innovation.”
The agreement is aimed at helping both organizations bring
together and align public and private industry stakeholders, including
equipment and device manufacturers, service providers, software developers,
system integrators, academic and research institutions and consumers.
CEA contributes its ANSI-accredited standards development system,
legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education,
industry promotion, and the International CES.
Inventures brings collaboration expertise experience, management
services and best practices required to drive successful technology and market
development.
“This investment is a game-changing event,” stated Deepak
Kamlani, Inventures president and CEO. “Collaboration is increasingly necessary
in an era shaped by rapid innovation, global markets, and pervasive
connectivity of people, devices, and services. The new standards and solutions
we have helped our clients develop over the years represent a strong foundation
for sustained success. Our strategic partnership with CEA will help our clients
amplify their footprint and desired results by tapping into CEA’s vast
resources, and enable us to drive our expansion and growth and harvest new
opportunities globally.”
Inventures said it will continue to operate as a privately held
firm from its San Ramon, Calif. headquarters. Effective immediately,
Inventures clients will have access to CEA’s ANSI/CEA standards development
services, industry events and trade shows, the company said.
CEA members will have access to Inventures’ emerging technology
and ecosystem building expertise.
Joint programs and services resulting from the collaboration are
expected in the next year, the groups said.
