Alliance Blog

Recap: First Look SoCal Innovation Showcase 2021

The First Look SoCal Innovation Showcase 2021 [virtual]

Sponsored by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, KPPB LP, Alexandria Venture Investments, and EastWest Bank

Presented by the Alliance for SoCal Innovation and LAVA

June 16, 2021 Life Science Track

June 17, 2021 Technology Track

The First Look SoCal Innovation Showcase is an annual celebration of the best early-stage teams commercializing deep tech and life science breakthroughs from the top research institutions in Southern California. This is the premiere gathering that celebrates research-based spinouts and connects them with top-tier investors and successful serial entrepreneurs with expertise to help them leap from the lab to market. 

EVENT PROGRAM FULL VIDEOS

DAY 1: LIFE SCIENCE TRACK

Welcome + Keynote

Andy Slavitt, Senior Advisor White House COVID-19 Response Team

“Transformational opportunities in healthcare innovation”


Startup Presentations Session 1: Therapeutics

Aracari Biosciences • MyoGene Bio • OncoXome • Serpass Biologics • Tortuga Biosciences


Startup Presentations Session 2: Medtech/Surgical

ACatechol • Bio-Zipper • eLysis • SAAVI


Workshop for Startups, presented by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

“Financing Trends and Strategies: Early Stage Financings”

Zach Myers (WSGR)


Startup Presentations Session 3: Medtech/Device & Diagnostics

Sayenza Biosciences • StyloSonic • Synova Life Sciences • Veriskin


VC Investor Panel Discussion:

“Which way is up? Investing in biotech during a global pandemic and a world turned upside down”

Sanjay Mistry, Head of San Diego John & Johnson Innovation @ Jlabs;
Amanda Cashin, Co-Founder & Global Head @ Illumina for Startups;
Michelle Kim Danely, Senior VP @ Autobahn Labs;
Hallie Kuhn, Principal @ Alexandria Venture Investments;
Ajay Nirula, VP Immunology @ Eli Lilly;
Dave Whelan, CEO @ BioscienceLA (moderator)


Day 2: Technology Track

Welcome + Keynote

George Whitesides, Chair and former CEO, Virgin Galactic

“Frontier tech innovation and the future of commercial space”


Startup Presentations Session 1: Hardware & Devices

EDGE Sound Research • Force Impact Technologies • Milo Sensors • Zxerex Corporation


Startup Presentations Session 2: Computing/Software

Apsy • flashpub.io • SmartSpace AI • Tallyfor • Teuvonet Technologies


Startup Workshop for Startups, presented by Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

“Startup and Financing Tips”

Kenji Funahashi (WSGR)


Startup Presentations Session 3: Clean/Green Tech

Catapower • CurrentRF • Liquid8 • Mi Terro


Founder Panel:

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.

Calum R. I. Chicholm, CEO & Founder, SAFCELL;
Ruey-Kang Chang, CEO & President, QT Medical;
Thomas Stone, CEO, Sensorygen;
Achuta Kadambi, Founder, Akasha Imaging;
David Bailey, Partner, KPPB (moderator)