Innovation Meets Design at ArtCenter College of Design Reception
California is often associated with cutting edge design and innovation – think of Apple products, Tesla EVs, and even Disney’s animation and theme parks. The Alliance, along with our partner, Pasadena Private Financial Group (PPFG), recently hosted a captivating invite-only reception at ArtCenter College of Design to showcase and explore the intersection of innovation and design, especially within the transportation industry. The event took place in the Mullin Transportation Design Center, originally a supersonic wind tunnel run by Caltech to test aerospace equipment which has recently been transformed to serve as a hub for research, experimentation, and advanced vehicle design. This was the first of two events in the series hosted at ArtCenter. [note: the next one on November 7 still has a few tickets remaining; more details at the bottom of the blog or click here]
Guests were treated to an insightful tour led by ArtCenter’s AVP, Robbie Nock, showcasing the renovated building as well as the work of both faculty and students, who are pushing the boundaries of automotive design for major industry players. One of the tour highlights was viewing a concept Lincoln vehicle, giving guests a glimpse into the future of transportation design. Adding to the experience, attendees explored ArtCenter’s archives, which house rare and out-of-print engineering publications, providing a deep connection between past design methodologies and today’s modern practices.
After the tour, ArtCenter’s Dean of Media and Technology, Maggie Hendrie, spoke about the dynamic partnerships ArtCenter fosters with leading companies across Southern California, emphasizing how these collaborations fuel innovation and creativity. Her remarks set the stage for an inspiring discussion on the region’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.
PPFG’s COO, Craig Colbath, followed with a summary of the SoCal Catalyst Fund, a groundbreaking partnership between Pasadena Private Financial Group and the Alliance for Southern California Innovation. This fund is focused on mentoring and investing in early-stage startups in the region, amplifying Southern California’s role as a hub for technology and innovation.
Guests were treated to an engaging fireside chat, moderated by Alliance’s Managing Director Eric Eide, featuring Jordan Justus, CEO and Co-Founder of Automotus, which was the first investment made out of the Catalyst Fund. Jordan shared his founding story, describing how Automotus is disrupting the urban mobility space, tackling challenges such as parking management and congestion in major cities and highlighted how Automotus has already seen significant success, with safety hazards reduced by 70% and improved city revenues in key markets like Pittsburgh.
The evening concluded with remarks from Alliance Executive Director, Andy Wilson, who emphasized the vital role the SoCal Catalyst Fund plays in nurturing Southern California’s startup ecosystem and driving innovation across the region.
It was an inspiring evening, filled with insight, innovation, and a collective commitment to fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs and designers in Southern California. We are grateful to all the guests who joined us and look forward to continuing these valuable conversations.
If you are interested in participating in the Alliance’s next event Innovating by Design: Strategies for Success in this same special ArtCenter space, please join us on November 7th. This event will bring together a dynamic group of founders, investors, corporate leaders, and design experts to explore the powerful role design plays in driving innovation and business success. Whether you’re at the Seed or Series A stage, you’ll gain insights on leveraging design principles to differentiate your startup and scale effectively. To register: https://lu.ma/41528t8n