IEEE Wireless Communications and Networking Conference
10–13 April 2022 // Austin, TX, USA
Boosting Verticals into Wireless Orbit

Start-up Session

WCNC 2022 Hottest Wireless Start-up

(11 April, 16:00 CST, Room 414, 4th Floor)

IEEE WCNC is the only IEEE conference brings together thought leaders from industry, academia, government agencies and other institutions to exchange information and ideas on advancing the state-of-the-art in wireless communications and networking. IEEE WCNC 2022 features a greatly expanded industry program, including industry-focused keynotes, panels, tutorials and workshops, as well as a showcase of the most promising start-ups in the wireless domain. This expanded program will provide unique opportunities for industry professionals to share and learn about the latest ideas, trends, and product innovations in the wireless industry.

Start-ups whose products are geared towards customers throughout the wireless ecosystem are invited to join the WCNC 2022 Start-up. Start-up participants will be invited to conference and pitch to a distinguished panel of judges as well as attendees, and awards for the WCNC 2022 Hottest Wireless Start-up will be awarded by our sponsor at the conference banquet.

Participants:

  1. Celona IO
    Andrew Von Nagy

  2. pureLiFi
    Mostafa Afgani

  3. Vapor IO
    Cole Crawford

Moderator: Brian Modoff, Executive Vice President of Strategy, M&A and Venture Investments

Judges:
Peiying Zhu, SVP Wireless Research, Huawei
John Smee, SVP, Qualcomm
Syed Alam, Head Advisor, Accenture’s semiconductor
Jeff Andrews, EE Professor at UT Austin

Patron: Accenture’s Semiconductor

Biographies:

Brian ModoffBrian Modoff

Brian Modoff was the Executive Vice President of Strategy, M&A and Venture Investments at Qualcomm. His combined years of experience in the technology industry, Wall Street and the military brought a unique perspective to strategic planning and execution, M&A and venture investing and business leadership.

At Qualcomm, Brian’s role was to identify key industry trends and opportunities that benefit from Qualcomm’s core competencies. He then collaborated with his team to develop strategic options and with the other members of the Executive Committee to plan and execute Qualcomm’s strategic direction and long-term vision. He was responsible for ensuring strong cohesion and alignment with all strategic planning efforts throughout the organization and with the company’s Board of Directors. He used this strategic planning process to drive Qualcomm’s M&A efforts, targeting potential acquisitions that leverage and/or strengthen the company’s core competencies.

Brian also had oversight and provides direction for Qualcomm’s $1.4B venture investment portfolio, coordinating Qualcomm’s venture investments in collaboration with our internal business units and linking those investments to the company’s strategic direction. Under Brian’s leadership, Qualcomm Ventures achieved the ranking of one of the ten largest corporate venture groups globally, ranking #1 in industrial/IOT investments and top 5 in Artificial Intelligence (AI) startup investments, consistently generating an ROIC of +20% annually.

Peiying ZhuPeiying Zhu

John SmeeJohn Smee

Syed AlamSyed Alam

Jeff AndrewsJeff Andrews

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