SoCal Community Events & Deadlines
Connect with the innovation community in Southern California by checking out these regional events.
Community Innovation Events
The events listed are not hosted or organized by the Alliance unless specified
October 12-18
Hosted by: a16z and Various
Location: LA
vv Selections from LA Tech Week vv
October 12
Climb and Connect: Health-Tech at New Heights
Hosted by: Wavemaker 360
Location: El Segundo [12-2PM]
Skip the usual happy hour and join us at Sender One for climbing, conversation, and new connections, plus a bite to eat. Bouldering is optional, and if you want to give bouldering a shot, all skill levels are welcome. Co-Hosted By: City of Hope & Tech Coast Angels Venture Group
October 12
Hardware Meets Intelligence: AI for Space and Defense
Hosted by: Starburst Accelerator and Outpost
Location: Playa Vista [5:30-8PM]
Join us for an event exploring the potential and impact of AI for space and defense applications and how AI-tech translates into operational capability for space and defense use cases.
October 13
Hosted by: Reitler, Deel., Citizens Bank
Location: Santa Monica [6-9PM]
The evening will feature a panel discussion followed by a networking reception with an open bar and light bites. The conversation will explore SoCal as a global hub for next-generation space and defense companies, the importance of public-private partnerships, and emerging opportunities across aerospace, defense, AI, communications, and national security.
October 13
Software Founders & Investors — LA Rooftop Mixer
Hosted by: NachoNacho
Location: Santa Monica [6-9PM]
Join an evening gathering bringing together software founders, startup executives, venture investors, and operators in LA. This is a curated opportunity to connect with people building, funding, and scaling the next generation of software and AI companies.
October 14
Global Allied Aerospace & Defense Forum + I2A Expo
Hosted by: DTI The BR-DGE
Location: El Segundo [3-7PM]
The one day the life-science-tools community comes together — the founders building the instruments, platforms, and diagnostics, and the investors, strategics, and partners who move them to market.
October 14
LA Biotech Community Rooftop Social
Hosted by: Nucleate LA
Location: Marina Del Rey [6-9PM]
Join Nucleate LA as they celebrate their 5-year journey and the collaborative life science ecosystem that continues to drive biotech innovation across Los Angeles. Through conversations and networking, explore how entrepreneurs, scientists, investors, and operators are shaping the future of life sciences in Los Angeles. Mention the Alliance for SoCal Innovation newsletter at registration.
October 12-15
Pasadena events during Tech Week
Hosted by: Innovate Pasadena
Location: Pasadena
Pasadena is hosting a number of Tech Week events, so check out the calendar.
^^ Selections from LA Tech Week ^^
October 13-15
2026 California Economic Summit
Hosted by: CA FWD
Location: Long Beach
Produced by CA FWD in collaboration with the California Stewardship Network, the annual California Economic Summit convenes regional leaders from business, community, government, philanthropy, labor, and more to catalyze a New California Economy that is resilient, sustainable, and inclusive. The Summit is the place to connect, collaborate, and drive change.
October 14
2026 BioTools Innovator Capstone
Hosted by: BioTools Innovator
Location: San Diego
The one day the life-science-tools community comes together — the founders building the instruments, platforms, and diagnostics, and the investors, strategics, and partners who move them to market.
October 19-24
Hosted by: Various organizations
Location: Orange County
vv Selections from OC Tech Week vv
October 21
The Best of the Best Startup Showcase
Hosted by: Alliance for SoCal Innovation + TCA Venture Group
Location: Irvine
Join us for the 2nd Annual Best of the Best, an annual collaboration between TCA Venture Group and the Alliance for SoCal Innovation. This is a premier startup pitch showcase bringing together top founders and leading investors from SoCal. This event will feature pitches from 13 innovative startups (5 Tech in the morning, 8 Medtech in the afternoon), plus a VC panel discussion and plenty of time to network with peers in the ecosystem. Whether you’re an investor scouting the next big thing or a community member eager to connect, this is your chance to plug into the heart of SoCal innovation. This is now the OC qualifier event for the Startup World Cup finals in SF in early November.
October 22
Hosted by: Sustain SoCal
Location: UC Irvine
This event draws hundreds of sustainability professionals to discuss advancing energy solutions, technologies, and policy needs. Our Sustainability Awards are announced at this event as well! There are opportunities to be recognized as our Sustainable Corporation of the Year, Sustainable Government of the Year, Cleantech Company of the Year, or Cleantech Startup.
^^ Selections from OC Tech Week ^^
October 21
Health Equity Innovation Summit
Hosted by: Larta Institute
Location: Pasadena
The Health Equity Innovation Summit convenes healthcare leaders, investors, foundations, payers, entrepreneurs, and community organizations to accelerate innovations that improve health outcomes in underserved communities. The Summit connects the partnerships, capital, and ideas needed to move innovation into real-world impact.
October 19-23
Hosted by: Connect and Various
vv Selections from SD IDEA Week vv
October 22
Scripps Research Biotech Innovation Summit
Hosted by: Scripps Research Institute
Location: San Diego
In its third year, the Scripps Research Biotech Research Summit aims to foster strategic partnerships between academia and industry and accelerate innovation across the biotech spectrum. Under the guidance of the Strategic Investment Committee, this year’s program includes engaging sessions focused on empowering scientific talent and forging meaningful connections. This event provides an exclusive opportunity to engage with world-class scientists who are pioneering exciting early-stage innovations.
October 22
Hosted by: Biolabs
Location: San Diego
BioLabs San Diego is proud to host our annual Investor Day during CONNECT IDEA Week, bringing together founders, investors, and industry leaders for a full day of networking, startup pitches, and discussions on fundraising and innovation.
The program will feature 30 startup presentations delivered across 3–4 structured pitch sessions, with each company presenting a concise 3-minute pitch. Investors will also take the stage for a series of 1-minute reverse pitches, highlighting their investment focus and what they look for in founders.
^^ Selections from SD IDEA Week ^^
October 27
Hosted by: Biocom
Location: Los Angeles / Brentwood
Explore a program designed for life science executives, featuring timely conversations, thought-provoking panels and meaningful opportunities to connect with peers. Hear from key investors and strategics, a panel on the practical use of AI, and a look at cross-border strategies, with plenty of time to network with colleagues, strategic partners and investors.
October 27-30
Hosted by: AnitaB.org
Location: Anaheim
Grace Hopper Celebration is the world’s largest gathering of individuals in tech. Each year, thousands of women leaders, innovators, and allies come together to learn, connect, and accelerate representation and opportunity in technology.
Whether you attend in person or virtually, GHC is where careers grow, ideas take shape, and community becomes real.
October 27-28
Octane Medical Innovation Forum
Hosted by: Octane
Location: Irvine
Octane’s Medical Innovation Forum is an annual event that brings together investors, startups, and healthcare leaders to explore the forefront of innovation in ground breaking medical technologies. This year’s theme is “The Future of Human Health” and will explore innovations and disruptors in diagnostics, devices, technology, therapeutics and aging science. Don’t miss the keynote from Dr. Diana E. Ramos, California Surgeon General.
November 17
Hosted by: USC
Location: Los Angeles
The Forum is designed to create useful connections across the ecosystem and encourage a candid exchange about the opportunities and challenges facing the region. Discussions will span the technologies, operations, and funding shaping the next phase of the space economy. Attendees may also engage with USC faculty, researchers, and selected student groups whose work is relevant to the space sector.
December 3
Hosted by: AUTM
Location: Pasadena
AUTM on the Road brings the power of the AUTM community directly to you. This one-day, in-person experience brings together your tech transfer community to connect, share insights, and tackle timely challenges — without the time and expense of long-distance travel. Each stop is rooted in the local ecosystem, blending national-level expertise with region-specific perspectives.
December 3
Powering the Next Era: Energy Issues Driving San Diego’s Cleantech Economy
Hosted by: Cleantech San Diego
Location: San Diego
Cleantech San Diego invites you to join industry experts as they examine the critical issues impacting our energy ecosystem and explore the decisions and solutions shaping how San Diego powers what comes next. Gain key insights on the impact evolving energy demands are having on transmission and distribution infrastructure and the strategies and policies San Diego and California need to overcome transmission hurdles, interconnection bottlenecks, and reliability challenges.
Innovation Program Deadlines
| SoCal Venture Pipeline Program Deadline: Ongoing SoCal Venture Pipeline Program Startups receive targeted introductions to investors through our unique no-cost program (no fees, no equity, totally free). SoCal entrepreneurs raising institutional funding are carefully selected and directly introduced to capital providers from our deep nationwide relationship network. Accepted startups may also receive funding through our Catalyst Fund. |
Nucleate’s Activator Accelerator
Submission Deadline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis from mid September to late October
The Activator is the world’s largest open-access, equity-free biotech accelerator for early-stage founders. Our structured program guides founders through team formation, venture-building workshops, and expert mentorship—culminating in pitch showcases and global community connections.
CNSI Magnify at UCLA Internship Program
Submission Deadline: October 23
The Magnify Internship Program is now an academic credit-based internship opportunity for undergraduate students, in their 3rd year or beyond, interested in gaining hands-on experience working with a scientific start-up company. Student applicants selected for the program will be matched with a current Magnify portfolio start-up company during the academic school year (at least 2 quarter commitment).
Interns begin their placements in winter 2027. QUESTIONS? Please email workforce@cnsi.ucla.edu
USC and Techstars Accelerator
Submission Deadline: November 18
This 13-week, in-person program, held on USC’s Los Angeles campus, connects startups with experienced mentors from both inside and outside the university while providing access to USC’s research, talent, and entrepreneurial ecosystem alongside the Techstars global network. The program is open to startups across all industries, with particular interest in bioscience, engineering, AI, healthcare, deep tech, and media technology. To be eligible, at least one founding team member must be affiliated with USC as a student, alumnus, faculty member, or staff member. Founders affiliated with Keck Medicine of USC and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) are also eligible.
Submission Deadline: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis from mid September to late October
Startups Apply to the SoCal Venture Pipeline Program
Get matched with the right Seed and Series A investors. These are warm introductions that could change your life.
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.
Upcoming Alliance Events
Check out our events calendar to see upcoming opportunities to connect with the innovation community in Southern California.
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