How to start an investment conversation?

Weekly Investment Conversation Starters No. 94

Thanks for reading this newsletter and let's dive into the future!

?? Three ideas to start a thematic investment conversation

1. Evie Ring: a woman-first health wearable! ????

Evie Ring is a woman-first smart ring: first in the functionalities it offers but also in its design, with an open gap that flexes to accommodate swelling fingers!

2. Could the Apple Vision Pro change the workplace?????

Apple’s first mixed-reality Vision Pro headset went on sale and was soon sold-out. Will Apple be able to make AR/VR headsets go mainstream?

3. A real artificial "power plant"???

Engineers created a Proof-of-Concept artificial plant that generates clean electricity by harvesting energy from wind and rainwater droplets.

1?? Evie Ring: a woman-first health wearable

?? Warm-up the conversation with an ice-breaker

Did you know that smart rings can also be used for other purposes than health tracking, like for payments or as electronic keys?

(Source: Bloomberg)

?? In the news this week

• A start-up is rolling out a new health tracking wearable with a twist: it is a woman-first smart ring.
• First in the functionalities it offers but also in its design, with an open gap that flexes to accommodate swelling fingers.

? Why do you need to know

1. It is one of the few CES 2024 health devices that is ready for shipping.
2. It is an engineering marvel that houses numerous sensors and flexible batteries in a small form factor.
3. It caters to the rising trend of tracking health parameters.

?? How does it work

• The app offers period tracking, mood logging, and AI-based insights on menstrual health, hormones, energy, sleep and physical activity.
• Future features: health reports for doctors and automatic workout detection.
• It has an estimated battery life of four days and its case doubles up as a charger, providing up to 10 charges.
• It is made under medical-grade standards and seeking FDA approval to transition soon from a wellness to a medical device.

?? Share an investment thought

???? UBS CIO Long-term Investment Theme: Medical Devices

Medical devices can assist in the treatment of many conditions and help reduce the risk of worsening of a treated condition.

2?? Could Apple Vision Pro change the workplace

?? Warm-up the conversation with an ice-breaker

Did you know that the 1st augmented reality head-mounted display was developed in 1968 and was called ‘Sword of Damocles’?

(Source: Code Reality)

?? In the news this week

• Apple’s mixed-reality Vision Pro headset went on sale, with the first models scheduled for delivery on Feb 2.
• But virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) headsets haven’t been super successful so far…
• Will Apple break the spell and make its new product go mainstream?

? Why do you need to know

1. Many VR/AR headsets like Meta’s Quest, HTC Vive, Varjo headsets and others, haven't lived up to expectations.
2. Despite challenges, VR/AR headsets have been effectively used for workforce training and product development.
3. VR/AR technology has future potential and Apple's Vision Pro may fast-track its adoption in the workspace.

?? Why might Apple succeed

• Apple's hallmark is innovation, simplicity and user-friendliness, with the ability to popularize new tech.
• They have a track record of past disruptions with new products such as the iPod, iPhone, AirPods, and Apple Watch.
• Ahead of the launch of Apple Vision Pro, Apple ramped up its R&D spending quite significantly.

?? Share an investment thought

???? UBS CIO Long-term Investment Theme: Enabling Technology

Enabling technologies like artificial intelligence, AR/VR, 5G, cloud and big data are the engine of the digital transformation and spending on their development should remain high.

3?? A real artificial "power plant"

?? Warm-up the conversation with an ice-breaker

Did you know that self-consumption systems in Spain covered about 3% of electricity demand in 2023?

(Source: Renewables Now)

?? In the news this week

• Engineers created a Proof-of-Concept artificial plant that generates clean electricity by harvesting energy from the wind and rainwater droplets.
• It offers an interesting solution to the intermittency issue of renewable electricity as it can generate electricity in various conditions (wind and rain).

? Why do you need to know

1. Intermittency of renewable electricity generation is a real problem as it limits the output.
2. Creating multi-source harvesters that combine different renewable sources in one device allows to maximize output.
3. This PoC could be developed into larger systems or networks of power plants to produce clean energy from natural sources.

?? How does it work

• Leaves are made of layers of nylon nanofibers sandwiched between Teflon and copper electrodes, and coated with a conductive fabric.
• With the wind, layers press into each other and generate static charges which are converted into electricity.
• With it rains, raindrops hit the electrode, causing a charge imbalance, generating a small current.
• When exposed to natural wind and rain conditions, such a plant can power 10 LED lights.

?? Share an investment thought

???? UBS CIO Long-term Investment Theme: Clean Air and Carbon Reduction

Population growth and urbanization across the globe are driving the need for decarbonization innovations, such as renewable energy and energy storage, as levels of carbon emissions are rising.

About Investment Conversation Starters

Hand-picked for relationship managers and investment advisors,?Weekly Investment Conversation Starters?is a series of ideas to start a conversation with clients, spark their curiosity and gauge their appetite for thematic investments.

???? If you liked these, you can:

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• Consult the previous editions of Weekly Investment Convo Starters
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?? Leave your question, comment or suggestion below, thanks!