SoCal Venture Pipeline
Powered by Banc of California
Investor-ready startups raising Seed and Series A funding: get matched with the right venture capital investors.
$10.5M Series A
$4M Seed Ext
$5.5M Series A
$1.7M Seed
$5.9M Seed Ext
$8.2M Series A
$10M Series A
$2.7M Seed
About the SoCal Venture Pipeline
The SoCal Venture Pipeline (SVP) program helps SoCal-based founders get access to sources of institutional capital for Seed and Series A funding. After a thorough vetting process via two committees of experienced investors, startups accepted into the SVP program receive personal introductions to VCs with a proven track record of funding similar startups or that match their investment thesis. We take no fees or equity from startups or investors — this is a free service funded by sponsors and a federal grant. The recently launched Catalyst Fund also enables us to invest directly in companies accepted into the SVP program.
How it works
Startups Apply
Complete the online application with detailed non-proprietary information and your investor deck.
Application Review
Your startup is evaluated by two committees to ensure you are ready for investment right now.
Get introduced to VCs
Startups accepted into the program will receive personal introductions to matching investors.
Testimonials
AaronMendes
CEO and Founder of PrivacyHawk
“The Alliance SoCal team has been a huge resource for us in raising our seed round. They are super helpful, well connected, and committed to helping startups in one of the best tech ecosystems in the world, Southern California.”
JeffDiamond
Investor at Fika Ventures
“If the Alliance offers me a founder introduction I know to take a serious look because they know our fund well. Even if I decide to pass on the introduction, I won’t ignore it”
MichaelBrown
CEO and Founder of Cloundnine AI
“The SoCal Venture Pipeline helped us connect with potential corporate clients to accelerate the growth of our startup. We appreciate that their network of introductions includes not only investors but corporations as well!”
J.C.Ruffalo
Venture Partner at Cove Fund and SVP Evaluation Committee Member
“I love being involved with the SoCal Venture Pipeline. It exposes us to companies that we might not otherwise have a chance to connect with. We are not just looking to invest in companies but also to help expose them to the best resources, expertise, and ultimately capital connections they will need to become successful.”
NiratKeswani
CEO and Founder of Empiric, Inc.
“Being a part of their SoCal Venture Pipeline has led to new investor introductions that I was not connected to before.”
Investors: Join our relationship network
The Alliance has established a nationwide network of over 200 institutional investors who receive curated personal introductions to high quality startups ready for Seed and Series A funding who match their investment thesis and previous investments. Join our relationship network to get connected to high potential startup founders.
Our Sponsors Make SVP A Free Service
We take no fees, equity or compensation from startups or investors because the program is generously underwritten by our sponsors.
The Catalyst Fund invests in SoCal Venture Pipeline startups
The Catalyst Fund is an early stage venture fund led by the Alliance for SoCal Innovation and managed by the co-general partner, Pasadena Private Financial Group that invests in SoCal-based founders who have been accepted into the Alliance’s SoCal Venture Pipeline program AND secured a term sheet from a lead investor who prices the round (minimum of $1m of new capital), sets the terms, and is a definitive lead investor (providing at least 20% new capital). Upon acceptance into the SVP program, founders agree to provide the Catalyst Fund the right to co-invest in their round (target 10% of the full round, but no larger than $500k) on the same terms as their lead investor.
Meet the experts
The SVP Selection Committee is comprised of seasoned investors with decades of experience in a wide range of industries and backgrounds who help us select startups who are investor-ready. The committee meets monthly to review up to four startups via live pitch and Q&A.
The SVP Evaluation Committee helps us review the dozens of startup applications we receive every month to narrow down the top four or five that will be chosen to pitch to the Selection Committee. This committee is comprised of highly experienced investors and startup advisors who know what investor-ready looks like across a broad range of industry and market categories.
Renée LaBran
Investor and Business Advisor Director at Idealab, Sambazon, TomboyX
She is also a Qualified Financial Expert with audit committee experience. Ms. LaBran currently serves on the boards of B. Riley Financial (NASDAQ: RILY), where she is a member of the audit and governance committees, Iconic Sports Acquisition Corporation (NYSE: ICNC-UN), and Idealab (the longest running technology incubator).
She is an active investor and advisor to early-stage companies (tech and consumer products), navigating new opportunities from the perspectives of both the disruptors and the disrupted. She is also an Adjunct Professor at UCLA Anderson Business School’s entrepreneurship program, and serves on the Advisory Board of Principia Growth, a late-stage growth fund.
In 2015, Ms. LaBran was appointed by Governor Brown to the California State Bar Board of Trustees (responsible for regulation of CA attorneys) and was confirmed to two terms by the State Senate as a non-attorney public member. Ms. LaBran played a key role in the restructuring and turn-around of both the board and the organization and completed her tenure in December 2020.
Ms. LaBran has been involved in the venture capital industry since 2000, initially as a founding partner of Rustic Canyon Partners (RCP), a technology focused VC fund. RCP also served as the launching pad for RC/Fontis, a growth stage fund focused on consumer products and business services.
Prior to venture capital, Ms. LaBran held a variety of executive management positions at the Los Angeles Times and was a management consultant with Monitor Company US and Europe, working on corporate strategy projects for Fortune 500 companies.
Ms. LaBran is an honors graduate of Harvard Business School and received her BA in Economics from UC Berkeley where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.
Mark diTargiani
SVP, Startup Services Banc of California
After teaching high school English after college, Mark entered the sales world with RS Hughes, a distributor for 3M and Loctite. After doing another stint as a teacher, Mark became a fully commissioned packaging salesperson, helping companies like Applied Materials, Codexis and Shutterfly build their brands and deliver their products. He then started his first company helping small businesses who could not qualify at banks to gain capital. Mark worked at TriNet during its IPO and helped build the sales team from 30 to over 300 reps selling into vertical markets. Prior to joining Banc of California’ Bank’s Venture Banking Group, he ran a consulting business coaching startup founders on go to market strategies and sales execution.
Mark builds high touch relationships, getting to know his clients and their businesses. He and his team focus on adding shareholder value for founders and investors.
Mark holds a B.A. in English from Wesleyan University, where he also captained the lacrosse team. Mark continues to be involved in lacrosse as a youth and high school coach.
Iván Markman
Startup Advisor, Angel Investor Former CBO at Yahoo!
He was previously a Strategic Advisor at Yahoo, following four years as Chief Business Officer where he led the businesses representing most of its global revenue and importantly, turned it around and successfully exited it to Apollo Global for $5 billion.
Immediately before Yahoo, Iván was a special advisor to the CEO & Board of Directors of comscore, where he led a significant turnaround rekindling innovation, operational scale and growth. Previously, Iván was GM of Neustar’s Marketing Services business, after its $450M acquisition of MarketShare where he was COO and early management team member. At MarketShare he grew the business and built the technology globally, increasing its valuation 15x leading to two exits. Prior to that, Iván held various senior strategic and operational roles in his first run at Yahoo after joining it via its acquisition of Overture. He started his career in Argentina working in various talent, sales & marketing roles at Procter & Gamble.
He serves on the Board of Directors of the Alliance for SoCal Innovation, a non-profit organization that supports the growth and development of Southern California’s innovation ecosystem, as well as the Board of the Center for Impact at the UCLA Anderson School of Management.
Krisztina “Z” Holly
Venture Partner Good Growth Capital
David Bailey
Founding Partner KPPB, LLP
David advises clients on a range of patent, copyright, trademark, and Internet related issues with an emphasis on: automatic speech recognition, computational imaging, computer architecture design, digital communication, digital signal processing, distributed computing and “big data” analysis, image and video processing, information theory, machine learning data sets, machine vision, natural language processing, perceptual computing, robotics, software engineering.
David has extensive experience in guiding KPPB’s clients through diligence processes associated with fundraising, acquisition and successful IPO. Among David’s current “portfolio” of clients are companies in the portfolios of Andreessen Horowitz, Battery Ventures, Benchmark Capital, Bessemer Venture Partners, the Facebook Fund, Globespan Capital Partners, Google Ventures, Granite Venture Partners, InnoCal Venture Capital, Intel Capital, InterWest Partners, In-Q-Tel, Oak Investment Partners, Momentum Venture Management, O’Reilly AlphaTech Ventures, Red Rock Ventures, Rincon Ventures, Sequoia Capital, and Silicon Valley Bank.
David’s practice also involves deep engagement with the copyright system, and he has a specific expertise in the enforcement and registration of software, machine learning data sets and databases, and in negotiating industry standards-based licenses. David also represents the Los Angeles Philharmonic on a pro bono basis with respect to intellectual property matters.
PRACTICE AREAS
Copyright
IP Due Diligence
Licensing & Terms Of Use
Litigation
Patent Protection
Trademark Protection
Trade Secrets
University Tech Transfer
VC Counseling
EDUCATION
The University of Melbourne, Bachelor of Electrical (Computer) Engineering (Honors)
The University of Melbourne, Bachelor of Laws (Honors)
BAR ADMISSIONS
California State Bar
New York State Bar
United States Patent and Trademark Office
Kenji (Ken) Funahashi
Partner Wilson Sonsini
Ken’s practice focuses on the representation of technology, life sciences, healthcare, and other growth companies throughout the United States and internationally. Representative clients include software, SaaS, IT, IoT, cybersecurity, aerospace, robotics, e-gaming, AR/VR, and blockchain entrepreneurs and investors in the technology area, and genomics, diagnostics, biologics, pharmaceuticals, medical device, and digital health entrepreneurs and investors in the life sciences and healthcare fields.
In addition to practicing in California’s technology clusters for over two decades, Ken has studied and worked abroad and has extensive experience in cross-border transactions in Asia and Europe. He was previously a partner at one of the largest international law firms in the world and assists both U.S. technology companies engaging in business overseas, as well as Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and European companies in financing, licensing, M&A, and joint venture activities in the U.S.
Jade Tran
SVP, Technology Banking & Venture Lending Banc of California
Jade has spent most of her career in the technology and startup space, where she has held roles in venture capital, operations, and executive leadership. Prior to joining the bank, she joined the senior leadership team of technology startup Honey, developing its employee engagement program, developing career development initiatives, and building an international new hire onboarding program for the company as it doubled headcount, before being acquired in a $4B acquisition by PayPal in 2019.
She started her career in technology as a true pioneer in developing the community and platform functions for the venture capital industry, as Director of Platform at Sand Hill Road firm DFJ (now Threshold Ventures and DFJ Growth), and later supporting emerging funds in the Bay Area and Los Angeles.
Jade earned an MA and BA in Art History from The Ohio State University. An avid surfer, she lives in Los Angeles, California, and is devoted to her rescue dog, Cricket.
Margot Pugh
Senior Director of Venture Capital Partnerships Riviera Partners
Previously, Margot was the Talent Partner at Quiet Capital, where she established and led the talent strategy function, operating as a thought partner to portfolio companies on talent acquisition and organizational development. While at Waymo, Margot served as the Head of Software Engineering Recruiting, where she was responsible for scaling the software engineering team sixfold during her tenure. She also led high impact recruiting initiatives, including M&A talent integrations, and expanded Waymo’s presence into key global markets. Earlier in her career, Margot held roles at Google and Daversa Partners, where she honed her expertise in technical recruiting and executive search.
Margot earned her Bachelor of Arts from Miami University, double majoring in Strategic Communication and Sociology. She lives in Santa Barbara, CA with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
Pat Hwang
Partner Heedfirst Ventures
Pat builds from a mechanical engineering background and, in her early career, she managed several space and satellite programs. Joining Tech Coast Angels in 2016, she’s been integral in the startup scene, as a connector, advisor, competition judge, panelist, and executive committee member. She is the incoming president of Tech Coast Angels Orange County in 2024 and on the venture committee of Alliance for SoCal Innovation.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Pat is deeply committed to giving back to her community. She’s involved in multiple charities and serves on the foundation board of two Providence hospitals, channeling her energy into making a positive impact.
Pat finds joy in traveling and playing poker, having explored 43 countries and counting. Through her hobbies, she cultivates her relationships with business peers including founders and board members of the various companies she invests in.
A long-time southern California resident, Pat earned her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Southern California.
Jeff Bocan
Partner Okapi Venture Capital
Prior to joining Okapi, Jeff served on the executive team for 3+ years of one of his portfolio companies as the Senior Vice President of Mophie, helping drive revenues to $250+M and a successful exit to ZAGG (NASDAQ: ZAGG). Prior to joining Mophie, Jeff was a venture capitalist for 13+ years, last serving as a Managing Director at Beringea where he sourced, led, or managed the investments for 35 of Beringea’s portfolio companies and served on 22 boards including: Mophie, eSpotting, MergerMarket, Steak Digital, Sakti3, amongst others. Jeff has also been an active angel investor with several successful exits, with the most notable as one of two angels in Duo Security (acquired by Cisco for $2.4 Billion).
Jeff earned undergraduate and MBA degrees from University of Notre Dame and the University of Virginia, respectively. He & his wife have four kids.
J.C. Ruffalo
Venture Partner The Cove Fund
Drawing on his previous role as the Director of the LaunchPad accelerator program at Octane OC, JC’s strategic, well-organized, and aggressively entrepreneurial approach has led to remarkable results. Under his guidance, numerous Southern California companies secured over $2 billion in funding and facilitated M&A deals worth $2.6 billion, resulting in the creation of over ten thousand high-paying technology jobs. Notable success stories under his leadership include renowned companies such as Hyperice, Bonti, EV Connect, AtaCor Medical, and Enevate.
Embraced as a vibrant, young entrepreneur with a fervor for innovation, JC co-founded three startups before joining Octane. He firmly believes in the transformative power of fostering enduring relationships between entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors, which forms the cornerstone of successful venture partnerships.
JC graduated from Chapman University Argyros School of Business in 2011, where he earned a degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Entrepreneurship and Finance, along with a Minor in Economics.
Josh Resnick
Co-Founder & General Partner, OpenSky Ventures; Angel Investor Founder and CEO, Sugarfina and Pure Imagination Brands
Previously, Josh was a two-time successful founder. In 2012, he launched Sugarfina, a luxury confections brand that was named to Fast Company’s “World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies” and “World’s 10 Most Innovative Retailers”. In 1998, he co-founded iconic video game developer, Pandemic Studios, which sold to Electronic Arts for $860m.
Josh has been named to Fast company’s “100 Most Creative People”, Goldman Sachs’ “100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs”, and dot.LA’s Top LA Angels. He is a panel judge for Wharton’s Venture Lab, a Venture Advisor with the Alliance for Southern California Innovation and serves as an advisor to more than a dozen start-ups.
Josh earned a BA with Honors in International Relations at Pomona College, and an MBA at the Wharton School of Finance.
Yash Chopra
Partner Plassa Capital
He holds a Masters in Business Administration from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from the Olin Business School at Washington University of St. Louis.
Mike Panesis
Executive Director; Angel Investor Steven Dorfman Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Cal Lutheran
Mike is a startup community leader in the Conejo Valley and Ventura County, to the north of Los Angeles. He leads the operation of Hub101, Cal Lutheran’s community coworking space, and is a frequent speaker on entrepreneurship and early-stage investing.
Mike advises startups on funding, operations, and business model strategies. An experienced angel investor, Mike is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Governors of Tech Coast Angels (TCA) and was a founding member of the Santa Barbara Angel Alliance. He sits on the Boards of Elite Robotics, Sensor Industries and the Kingsmen Shakespeare Company.
Mike has an MBA Marketing from Rutgers University and a BS in Computer Science for Business from the DeVry Institute of Technology. He lives in Camarillo.
Kei Morita
Partner HCVT
In addition to technology, Kei has also provided audit and assurance services to closely held private companies and professional services organizations and served clients in the hospitality industry, including hotels and restaurants. His published articles on accounting topics are often cited in other media.
Kei also co-leads HCVT’s technology industry and Asia-Pacific-focused groups. HCVT partners with the Alliance for SoCal Innovation (“Alliance”) and is a supporting sponsor of the SoCal Venture Pipeline Program, which connects the most promising early-stage startups with venture capital across the SoCal region, and Kei serves as the firm’s representative in the Alliance.
Kei earned a BS in accountancy at California State University, Northridge. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.
Scott Witt
Startup Advisor
Startups Apply Now
Get matched with the right Seed and Series A investors. These are warm introductions that could change your life.
Program FAQ
What is the SoCal Venture Pipeline?
The SoCal Venture Pipeline is a program developed by The Alliance for SoCal Innovation designed to assist founders in Southern California to access institutional capital. We facilitate strategic introductions to VCs who invest in Seed and Series A rounds.
Who is eligible to apply?
Founders based in Southern California who are preparing to raise their first round of institutional Seed or Series A funding within the next 6 to 12 months are eligible. We cater to various tech industry verticals.
What are the criteria for a startup to be considered ready for Seed or Series A funding?
Key indicators include a minimum raised through angel funding, product market presence, customer traction, a dedicated team, and a scalable business model. Specific requirements vary for Seed and Series A stages.
Founders: Here’s a helpful guide we wrote to explain the different funding stages to help you determine which round you should be raising.
Check out our full FAQ page for more detailed criteria
Is there a cost to apply?
No, there is no cost to apply and we do not take equity in exchange for our services. Our sponsors and a federal grant cover the operational expenses of the program.
How does the selection process work?
Applications are first reviewed by Alliance staff, followed by evaluation and feedback from our Evaluation Committee to narrow down the applicants to the top five. The final decision is made by our Selection Committee, who meet monthly to review the application and a live pitch by the founder with Q&A.
What support can I expect if accepted into the program?
Once accepted, we want to get to know you and better understand your business and current fundraising progress so we can find the right investors for you. Once we have a game plan, you’ll receive strategic introductions to VCs, guidance on pitching and presenting your startup, and access to our network of resources and mentors. We will also pass along helpful feedback we get back from investors to help you continue to improve your pitch.
Does the SoCal Venture Pipeline invest in startups accepted into the program?
Yes! We recently raised the Catalyst Fund to invest in SoCal-based founders who have been accepted into the SoCal Venture Pipeline program AND have secured a term sheet from a lead investor who prices the round (minimum of $1m of new capital), sets the terms, and is a definitive lead investor (providing at least 20% new capital). More information about the Catalyst Fund is here.
What happens if my startup is not accepted?
If you are not selected, we provide feedback and referrals to resources to address areas needing improvement. Most of the time, companies are not accepted due to being too early in their lifecycle so we encourage founders to reapply after they have achieved meaningful new progress milestones.
Can I reapply if my startup has evolved since a previous application?
Absolutely! We welcome reapplications from startups that have achieved new milestones or overcome previous challenges.
How are conflicts of interest handled?
We maintain high standards of integrity and transparency. Any potential conflicts of interest with committee members or founders must be disclosed to the Alliance.
How is my application data used and protected?
Your application data is strictly used for evaluation purposes within the SoCal Venture Pipeline program and is not sold or shared externally. We are committed to maintaining confidentiality and data security.
Upcoming events
Connect with the SoCal innovation community through highly curated leadership workshops and focused events that drive high quality relationships.
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