Democratizing IoT: How Affordable Smart Devices Can Power the Next Billion in Emerging Markets

IoT is often pitched as the foundation of smart cities and Industry 4.0, yet in many emerging markets the average citizen still can't afford connected devices. This session tells the inside story of CardoO's journey—bootstrapping in Cairo, partnering with OEMs in Shenzhen, raising capital, and shipping 200 K+ gadgets—to show how localised innovation plus frugal engineering can unlock mass adoption.