Vote this month for Samsung Next panels to be part of SXSW 2022

One of the cool things about the annual SXSW conference in Austin, Texas, is that the community influences the selection of panel topics and participants. So get ready to vote. Two Samsung Next panel proposals are on the short list for SXSW 2022.

The SXSW PanelPicker, which goes live on Aug. 10, enables the community to vote on which panels are part of the 2022 program. The final selection process is weighted 30% toward community voting, 20% toward SXSW staff recommendations, and 40% based on advisory board input. 

Community voting runs from Aug. 10-26, and, with your help, we are hoping that subject matter experts (SMEs) from Samsung Next and several of our portfolio companies will have a chance to share their knowledge and expertise with the SXSW community.

Vote: Femtech & The U.S. Healthcare System

Samsung Next has proposed an SXSW panel titled “Femtech & The U.S, Healthcare System: A Global Perspective.” This panel will bring together SMEs and founders from both U.S.-based and international startups to discuss how national healthcare systems and policies impact the marketplace. Panelists will include Jonathan Machado, Senior Investment Director, Samsung Next; Tania Boler, CEO, Elvie; and Gloria Lau, CEO, Alpha Medical.  

Jonathan leads Samsung Next’s healthtech investment strategy, looking at early-stage companies based around the world to identify future disruptors. Jonathan has insight into patterns among startups, and can speak to the broader influences and trends in the marketplace. He manages an international portfolio, and can discuss how differing public healthcare systems impact the way in which founders think and build their companies in the rapidly expanding healthtech space. 

Gloria founded Alpha to focus on women’s health holistically, with the understanding that just looking at one dimension, such as fertility or mental health, wouldn’t solve the healthcare crisis that many women worldwide face. She has authored op-eds about the state of women’s health for Quartz, and can also speak to her company’s approach from her data science background. As an Asian-American woman, Gloria also understands the impact of deficiencies in the U.S. healthcare system, particularly on women of color.

Tania founded Elvie to improve women’s health through smarter technology, and by creating a space for knowledge sharing. The company’s commitment to speaking candidly helps transform the way women think and feel about themselves and their bodies. Tania has written multiple books and research studies. She is highly qualified to share her expertise about emerging tech in the medical field.

Vote: Virtual Pickaxes in the Creator Gold Rush

Another proposed panel for SXSW is “Virtual Pickaxes in the Creator Gold Rush: The Automation & Monetization of Content.”

The creator economy has boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with TikTok entering the mainstream, massive audiences flocking to Twitch, and the emergence of new platforms like Clubhouse. But the question of monetization remains, with creators increasingly skeptical of traditional brand deals. 

This panel will bring together a range of mediatech experts to address monetization through tools and automation for creators, as well as the various paths forward for the streaming economy. Founders are providing the proverbial pickaxes in the post-pandemic streaming gold rush. StreamElements — which provides creators with a tipping system, merchandise services, and more — and Overwolf — an all-in-one platform for creating, sharing and monetizing in-game apps and mods for top games represent two of these promising media companies. Panelists will include Royi Benyossef, Investments Director, Samsung Next; Doron Nir, President, StreamElements; and Uri Marchand, CEO, Overwolf. 

Royi is an investment director at Samsung Next, based in Tel Aviv, where he actively works with seed stage companies developing game-changing software and services in the mediatech space. Royi is an Android Google expert and has been an Android evangelist at numerous conferences. Prior to joining Samsung, Royi was the Android group leader at Vidmind, where he managed a multinational group of engineers in designing and building Android clients for the company’s OTT platform, as well as developing proprietary Android-based smart TVs and set-top boxes with Hisense.

Doron is President of StreamElements, the end-to-end platform for livestream and video on-demand production, monetization, audience engagement, brand sponsorships, and influencer marketing. StreamElements offers the only full stack of 100% cloud-based tech and business solutions. The company supports over 780,000 channels across Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook Gaming. Moreover, brands, media, influencers, talent agencies, management firms, esports teams, and publishers all use StreamElement’s technology and services to run global sponsorships and other promotions.

Uri founded Overwolf, the all-in-one platform that enables creators to build, distribute, and monetize in-game apps and mods. Many companies are serving Twitch streamers, Instagram personalities, and TikTok creators, but Uri and the Overwolf team believe that gaming app developers and mod authors work just as hard as YouTubers and Streamers, and add true value to the gaming community. Uri understands what creators in the gaming sphere want, and he will share what he has learned from building Overwolf’s creator community.

Samsung Next and the founders of its portfolio companies have plenty of best practices and pearls of wisdom to share with SXSW attendees. But first, they have to be chosen to participate. 

Cast your vote today; ballots are open until Aug. 26!

Vote for Femtech & The U.S. Healthcare System: A Global Perspective here

Vote for Virtual Pickaxes in the Creator Gold Rush here

Emily Koster is Director of Communications at Samsung Next