The GIST initiative is proud to have helped 4 innovative Ukrainian startups attend the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this year. This was an extraordinary opportunity for these startups, where they not only got a table at one of the world's largest innovation events, meeting thousands of possible connections, but also extended their trip to include meetings with investors in Silicon Valley. 

We are amazed by the innovation coming out of Ukraine, and look forward to continuing to uplift and empower the work of so many amazing creators in the region. 

CES is an extraordinary opportunity... it is one of the biggest events of its kind in the entire year. Despite the continuing challenges of the pandemic, this year was an incredible success. Our startups got to table with the best of them, with over 210 Fortune 500 companies represented, and with 55% of attendees being senior level executives, share space with some of the most powerful and influential people in the innovation sector. CES over the last few decades has been home to many "firsts", from the invention of the VCR way back in 1970, through product categories as diverse as 3D printing, AI, 5G, and more. The ventures we helped to reach this pinnacle deserve to be right up there with the best of them, bringing innovations to life that will impact our world tomorrow. 

Four of the ventures we worked with include: 

• Time for Machine, who develop wood and metal kits to build handheld collectible machines.
• Sorbsys, battery developers who are designing for next-generation energy storage systems
• Nect,  makers of  a USB VPN modem hotspot for pocket WiFi portable wireless internet
• RecoShelf, who develop smart cameras for supermarkets that offer continuous shelf monitoring for efficient sales

We look forward to continuing to elevate Ukrainian innovation, and are excited to see where these startups go!