Startup Application for the First Look SoCal Innovation Showcase
Bioscience: May 21 @ the LABEST Conference at UCLA
MedTech: September in Orange County (exact date and location tba)
Deep Tech: September in El Segundo @ The BR-DGE (exact date tbd)
The First Look SoCal Innovation Showcase is an annual event that celebrates the best early-stage startups commercializing deep tech and life science breakthroughs emerging from the top universities and research institutions in Southern California.
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. Celebrate and connect with industry leaders and investors at the networking reception.
Here’s what some of the previous startup presenters had to say about their experience at First Look SoCal:
“Great place to network and meet other entrepreneurs/investors in tech”
“I like the judging panel asking questions. And great attendance”
“It was a great opportunity to get more pitch practice and meet investors”
KEY DATES
APPLICATION DEADLINES
Bioscience: April 15
MedTech: June 30
Deep Tech: June 30
LINEUP ANNOUNCEMENTS
Bioscience: April 21
MedTech: July 15
Deep Tech: July 15
PITCH PREP WORKSHOPS
Bioscience: May 1-10 (exact dates tba)
MedTech & Deep Tech: August 26-September 5 (exact dates tba)
Selection Criteria
Startups will be selected based on factors such as potential for disruption, novelty of the innovation/discovery, size of the commercial opportunity, and/or overall potential for impact.
What kind of startups should apply to present?
- Based in Southern California and are directly affiliated with a SoCal research/higher education institution
- Possess established hard tech and/or life sciences intellectual property that addresses a big market opportunity or problem
- Have not yet raised their first institutional round of funding but are currently or soon to be fundraising
- Their intellectual property is mature enough to be protected such as with a patent or other mechanism — it’s more than just a good idea
- They have made at least preliminary steps towards forming a venture with the purpose of commercializing their intellectual property
- Have reached an inflection point in their lifecycle where being connected to resources outside of their current network will fundamentally enhance their growth trajectory. Prime examples would be teams seeking relationships with top tier investors and VC firms or to fill key roles such as CEO/Executive Chairman.
Presented by
Host Partners
Thank you for applying to participate in one of the First Look SoCal Innovation Showcases