The SoCal Deep Tech Symposium 2026
Featuring the First Look SoCal Deep Tech Innovation Showcase
September 24 @ 1:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Connect with Deep Tech innovators and investors at the 3nd Annual SoCal Deep Tech Symposium in El Segundo. Sponsored by KPPB.
What to know: The Deep Tech Symposium gathers over 130 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.
Get a glimpse of the future and what’s getting funded today: See startup founders quick pitch then respond to in-depth Q&A from a panel of investors and subject matter experts. We begin with The First Look SoCal Deep Tech Innovation Showcase which features very early stage startups commercializing IP created at top research universities throughout Southern California. This is your opportunity to get a glimpse of tomorrow’s tech before it hits the market. The second showcase will feature early stage Deep Tech startups from the region’s top accelerator programs seeking Seed and Series A funding.
Sponsors & Partners
THE 2026 AGENDA:
PRE-EVENT WORKSHOP FOR FOUNDERS (separate ticket required)
11AM – 1PM: Workshop with legal and fundraising experts to help startup founders navigate issues such as Protecting and Commercializing Deep Tech Intellectual Property; Fundraising, and avoiding legal pitfalls. Lunch provided at the workshop. Combination ticket includes workshop, lunch and General Admission to the symposium plus networking reception.
General Admission Agenda:
1:00 PM: Attendee Check-in
1:30 PM: Opening remarks
1:40 PM: Keynote (TBD)
2:00 PM: First Look SoCal Deep Tech Innovation Showcase
Attendees get an early glimpse (or “first look”) into exciting new scientific advances with high potential for market success and disruption emerging from SoCal’s unparalleled research institutions and universities (UCLA, Caltech, USC, UC Irvine, UCSD, UCSB, UC Riverside SDSU, CalPoly, LMU). Connecting these founders with experienced industry leaders who can help them grow and succeed has enormous value in launching these innovations from lab to market. Startups are selected from a pool of applicants sourced directly from the tech transfer offices of the universities. On the stage, each startup gets 3 minutes to pitch immediately followed by 6 minutes of Q&A with a panel of industry leaders with subject matter expertise.ect matter experts.
Startups: see if you match the First Look SoCal criteria and apply to present here
3:15 PM: Break
3:45 PM: Deep Tech Startup Showcase
Early-stage startups raising large Seed or Series Afunding referred from the region’s accelerators and ecosystem support organizations (Starburst, Techstars, LACI, etc.) will have the opportunity to pitch for 3 minutes followed by 6 minutes of Q&A led by investors, strategics and other subject matter experts. The interaction between the founders and expert panelists will reveal unique insights about fundraising and the startup journey that are rarely seen outside of confidential due diligence investigations.
5:00 PM: Investor Panel (TBD)
5:30 PM: Networking Reception
Continue the conversation and connect while enjoying refreshments and snacks
The First Look SoCal Deep Tech Innovation Showcase
Each startup will present a 3-minute quick pitch followed by 6 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.
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 6 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.