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First Look SoCal Innovation Showcase 2021 [Virtual]
June 16, 2021 @ 9:00 am – June 17, 2021 @ 3:00 pm
Sponsored by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, KPPB LP, Alexandria Venture Investments, and EastWest Bank
Presented by the Alliance for SoCal Innovation and LAVA
Wednesday June 16 + Thursday June 17
9a – 3p PT (both days)
The First Look SoCal Innovation Showcase is an annual event that celebrates the best early-stage teams commercializing tech and life science breakthroughs from the top research institutions in Southern California. Startups will have an unparalleled opportunity to connect with top-tier investors and successful serial entrepreneurs. The day’s program will feature a lineup of quick-pitch presentations, each followed by investor-led Q&A, and panel discussions with key investors and industry leaders.
Why You Should Attend
- Get a first look at emerging technology with high potential for market disruption and impact
- Discover companies seeking early stage funding to commercialize big ideas with massive potential
- See 27 emerging startups do live quick pitch w/Q&A from notable investors PLUS 2 keynotes, 2 panels, and 2 workshops for startups
- Free to attend including the webinar and startup workshops
#FirstLookSoCal2021
Platinum Sponsor
Tech Track Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
Full Event Schedule
LIFE SCIENCE TRACK – June 16th
Moderator: Matt Bresnahan, Partner, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
9:00a Welcome Remarks Gene Sykes, Managing DIrector at Goldman Sachs, and Andy Wilson, Executive Director of the Alliance for SoCal Innovation
9:10a Keynote Andy Slavitt, Senior Advisor White House COVID-19 Response Team “Transformational opportunities in healthcare innovation”
9:45a Startup Presentations Session 1: Therapeutics
Aracari Biosciences • MyoGene Bio • OncoXome • Serpass Biologics • Tortuga Biosciences
11:00a Startup Presentations Session 2: Medtech/Surgical
ACatechol • Bio-Zipper • eLysis • SAAVI
12:00p Workshop for StartupsZach Myers, Partner, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati “Financing Trends and Strategies: Early Stage Financings”
12:45p Startup Presentations Session 3: Medtech/Device & Diagnostics
Sayenza Biosciences • StyloSonic • Synova Life Sciences • Veriskin
2:00p Corporate Innovation Panel “Beyond Licensing: How Life Science Corporations Tap Into and Commercialize Breakthrough University Research”
An expert panel of leaders from SoCal’s top Life Science companies discuss how they partner with research institutions and primary investigators for commercialization activities and collaboration including Acquisition, Funding/Investment, Sponsored Research and Joint Ventures and other non-traditional collaborations.
TECHNOLOGY TRACK – June 17th
Moderator: Minnie Ingersoll, Venture Partner, TenOneTen Ventures
9:00a Welcome Remarks Gene Sykes, Managing DIrector at Goldman Sachs, and Andy Wilson, Executive Director of the Alliance for SoCal Innovation
9:10a Keynote George Whitesides, Chair and former CEO, Virgin Galactic “Frontier tech innovation and the future of commercial space.”
9:45a Startup Presentations Session 1: Hardware & Devices
EDGE Sound Research • Force Impact Technologies • Milo Sensors • Zxerex Corporation
10:45a Startup Presentations Session 2: Computing/Software
Apsy • flashpub.io • SmartSpace AI • Tallyfor • Teuvonet Technologies
12:00p Workshop for Startups Kenji Funahashi, Partner, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati “Startup and Financing Tips“
12:45p Startup Presentations Session 3: Clean/Green Tech
Catapower • CurrentRF • Liquid8 • Mi Terro
1:45p Founder Panel “How it’s done: getting from lab to market success”
An unvarnished look at the ups and downs of the founder journey as told by the entrepreneurs who’ve taken the exhilarating challenge of commercializing frontier technology.
Participating Institutions
Selection Committee
The Selection Committee evaluated the team applications based on factors such as potential for disruption, novelty of the innovation/discovery, size of the commercial opportunity and/or overall potential for impact, viability, and team composition.
We designed the final lineup with the committee’s input as well as ensure that it reflects the diversity of voices, geographies, and technologies that drive innovation in the SoCal ecosystem.