Startup Application for the First Look SoCal Innovation Showcase
Life Science: Medtech on May 21 + Biotech on May 22 @ the Luskin Conference Center at UCLA
Deep Tech: September 18 in El Segundo (venue tba)
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 9 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.
THE FIRST LOOK SOCAL LIFE SCIENCE INNOVATION SHOWCASE IS PARTNERING WITH UCLA
For the first time ever, we are partnering with UCLA to host the First Look SoCal Life Science Showcases at UCLA’s pair of world-class conferences on the UCLA campus. Selected startups (representing all of SoCal’s research and academic institutions) focused on medtech will pitch at the UCLA MedTech Partnering Conference on Wednesday, May 21, while biotech startups will pitch at the UCLA LABEST Conference on Thursday, May 22. Those events are expected to attract over 1,500 life science industry professionals from leading corporations, VCs, and research institutions around the world. Plus there are workshops and panels for early stage founders and much, much more.
Selected startups get to attend the entire day for free in addition to pitching for an audience of investors, corporate leaders, and other subject matter experts.
THE FIRST LOOK SOCAL DEEP TECH SHOWCASE
The First Look SoCal Deep Tech Showcase will take place during our Deep Tech Forum on September 18 in El Segundo, the marquee event of SoCal Deep Tech Week (September 15-19). This event gathers hundreds of top corporate leaders, government representatives, and early-stage investors in fields such as Space, Aerospace & Defense, Materials, Advanced Manufacturing, Robotics, Energy, Cleantech, and AI.
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
Life Science: April 4
Deep Tech: May 30
LINEUP ANNOUNCEMENTS
Life Science: April 15
Deep Tech: June 15
PITCH PREP WORKSHOPS
Life Science: May 1-10 (exact dates tba)
Deep Tech: August 26-September 5 (exact dates tba)
Selection Criteria
Teams 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 Partner
