The 2nd Annual Deep Tech Symposium Featuring First Look SoCal Innovation Showcase 2025

Connect with Deep Tech innovators and investors at the 2nd Annual Deep Tech Symposium in El Segundo.

What to know:  The Deep Tech Symposium on September 18 in El Segundo, coinciding with SoCal Deep Tech Week (September 15-19) gathers over 100 top corporate leaders, government representatives, startup founders, and early-stage investors in fields such as Aerospace & Defense, Advanced Manufacturing & Robotics, Autonomous Mobility, Renewable Energy, AI and more.

The 2025 speaker lineup and presenting startups is still in the works. Check out last year’s lineup and panel topics that pulled over 115 innovation leaders to get a sense of what to expect

GET AHEAD: This year’s symposium will also feature quick pitches from selected startups who are commercializing breakthroughs created at SoCal’s top research universities. The First Look SoCal Innovation Showcase is your opportunity to get a glimpse of tomorrow’s tech before it hits the market.

THE 2024 LINEUP:

🎤 Opening remarks: Mayor Drew Boyles, City of El Segundo

🎤 Keynote: Stephen Cheung, President & CEO of LAEDC and WTCLA

🛠️ Panels:

• Navigating the Future of Aerospace and Defense
  Latest advancements in aerospace and defense, including new materials and satellite technologies.
  • Moderator: Conn Doherty (RTX)
  • Panelists: Jordan Noone (Embedded Ventures, Zoo, Relativity Space), Erin Hammons (Northrop Grumman), Elizabeth Reynolds (Starburst Aerospace), Zane Mountcastle (PicoGrid)
• Harnessing Hard Tech for a Sustainable Future
  The intersection of technology and sustainability, focusing on cleantech and renewable energy.
  • Moderator: Sergej Mahnovski (Edison International)
  • Panelists: Eric Lee (Aligned Climate Capital), Adrienne Lindgren (LACI), Jess Adkins (Caltech)
• Pioneering Innovations in AI, Robotics, and Advanced Manufacturing
  How AI and robotics are reshaping industries like healthcare, transportation, and manufacturing.
  • Moderator: Krisztina “Z” Holly (Good Growth Capital)
  • Panelists: Alice Liu (ID8 Innovation), Scott Graybeal (Caelux), Peter Lee (Embark Ventures)

💬 Why it matters: Connect with top minds and explore the technologies driving the future of deep tech.

Each startup will present a 3-minute quick pitch followed by 9 minutes of Q&A led by a panel of leading investors, corporates, and subject matter experts who will provide invaluable insights and access to capital. Celebrate and connect with industry leaders and investors at the post-event networking reception.

DEEP TECH STARTUPS: APPLY NOW

Look Forward To…

Connect with investors, peers, and mentors

Unparalleled opportunities to connect with investors, mentors and other support resources crucial for early stage startups. Past years attracted over 300 attendees including over 130 investors such as Lux Capital, Kairos, Wavemaker 360, Upfront, NEA, Elevation Ventures, FullCycle, Aligned Climate Capital, Mitsubishi Ventures and many more. 

Startup quick-pitch presentations

See selected Deep Tech (Robotics, Aerospace, Advanced Manufacturing, Energy, Materials) startups doing 3-minute quick pitch presentations followed by 9 minutes of moderated Q&A led by a panel of investors, corporate leaders, and subject matter experts.

Top university-based deep tech startups

This is SoCal’s premiere gathering of the best startups emerging from the region’s top research institutions so it attracts the region’s community in a rare concentrated program that celebrates the entrepreneur’s journey from lab to market.

Workshop for startup founders

Learn from subject matter experts in IP law and licensing best practices for protecting and monetizing intellectual property as well as early stage startup commercialization of deep tech innovations.

Networking Reception

Stay for drinks and small bites as we celebrate and connect with attendees and speakers.