Event Details
Come see the breakthrough technologies and innovations emerging from SoCal's top research labs and institutions.
The First Look SoCal Showcase is the premier annual conference celebrating the best early stage teams commercializing deep tech and life science breakthroughs from SoCal’s top research institutions. The program will feature quick-pitch presentations from the 30 selected teams who will be split into three concurrent domain tracks: Life Science Diagnostics, Life Science Therapeutics, and Tech (Software/Hardware/Materials). Each presentation is followed by panel-led and audience Q&A.
There will also be a private meet and greet space for investors and teams to connect during the event. An investor panel discussion and networking cocktail reception to follow presentations.
You’ll see…
Inventors who represent the region’s diversity of STEM talent and ideas
Quick-pitch presentations from 30 selected early-stage companies commercializing scientific breakthroughs discovered and developed in SoCal
A panel of investors on the front lines of deep tech and life science funding
Innovations from SoCal’s top research universities and institutions
Why You Should Attend
Unparalleled opportunities for SoCal startup teams to connect with investors, mentors and other support resources crucial at the early seed stage
Discover plentiful investment opportunities with companies on track to raise series A funding
Network with SoCal’s professional community focused on commercializing deep tech such as venture capitalists and early stage angel investors as well as entrepreneurs, government and business leaders, and senior administrators from the universities.
Location:
The Pasadena Convention Center
300 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91101
Agenda
Wednesday, June 19, 2019 from 1PM to 8PM
12:30 PM Check-in
1:30 PM Welcome + Keynote Speaker
2:20 PM Startup Team Presentations (3 concurrent tracks)
5:30 PM Investor Panel
6:15 PM Networking Reception
Keynote Speakers*
Beth Seidenberg - Founding Managing Director, Westlake Village BioPartners
Gene Sykes - Chairman, Alliance for SoCal Innovation
VC Panel*
Alex Andrianopoulos - Chief Research and Development Officer, Kairos Ventures
Minnie Ingersoll - Partner, TenOneTen Ventures
Hallie Kuhn - Principal, Alexandria Venture Investments
Sean Moriarty - Chief Executive Officer of Leaf Group (moderator)
Kevin Zhang - Partner at Upfront Ventures
Molly Schmid - Advisor/Consultant at UC Irvine + EIR, Alfred Mann Institute
*please visit the Alliance website for bios
Meet the Teams*
- Life Science – Therapeutics Track -
Angeles Therapeutics, Inc - Preet Chaudhary, Founder | USC
Basilard BioTech - Masaru Rao, Assoc. Professor | UC Riverside
BioVinc - Shuting Sun, CEO | CalState LA
CarthroniX - Amir Nobakht, COO | USC
Diadem Biotherapeutics - Milad Riazifar, CTO | CalState LA
DTx Pharma - Artie Suckow, CEO | University of San Diego
JeniVision Inc - Jenny Wang, CEO | UC Irvine
Radoptics LLC - Bahman Anvar, Professor & Founder | UC Riverside
RNAceuticals, Inc. - Frank Volvovitz, President | UC Irvine
- Life Science – Diagnostics Track -
Abreos Biosciences - Bradley Messmer, Doctor & CEO | UC San Diego
bioProtonics, Inc. - Tim James, CEO | UC Santa Barbara
Brainleap Technologies, Inc. - Jeff Coleman, CEO | UC San Diego
HouseCalls Mobile - Courtney Farr, Nurse Practitioner | Cal Poly
Milo Sensors - Bob Lansdorp, CTO | UC Santa Barbara
NOWA Innovations - Nasam Chokr, CEO | UC Irvine
RadCare - Chris Straka, CEO | UC San Diego
Soft Health Technologies LLC - Jenna Anderson, Co-founder | UC Irvine
Vantronics LLC - Gary Lauterbach | Skysong Enterprises
Veocor Diagnostics - Lorenzo Rossini, Co-Founder & CEO | UC San Diego
- Technology Track -
Clearbridge Biophotonics FPM Inc - Paul Sargeant, CEO | Caltech
ETC Solar Inc - Thomas Russell | Caltech
FreeGen Technologies - Saakib Akbany, Co-founder & CEO | UC San Diego
Helicoid Industries Inc - Chad Wasilenkoff, CEO | UC Riverside
Mesh Candy - Brand Caso, CEO | CalState LA
N3: Nanomechanical Neural Networks - Warren Fon, Research Engineer | Caltech
Tastry - Katerina Axelsson, CEO & Founder | Cal Poly
The Hurd Co - Taylor Heisley-Cook, Co-Founder & CEO | UC Santa Barbara
*please visit the Alliance website for team descriptions
FAQ
How can I contact the organizer about Sponsorship or for exhibiting my organization at the event?
Please contact Steve Gilison at info@alliancesocal.org about sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities for this event.
How can I contact the organizer about speaking?
We would love to hear your suggestions and nominations for speakers. Know that we cannot accommodate all requests. Please contact Steve Gilison (info@alliancesocal.org)
Do you offer group discounts?
Yes, we offer group rates for 3 or more attendees. Please contact Vicki at info@alliancesocal.org about group rates.
What’s the refund policy?
Plans change, we get it. If you can’t attend, please try to transfer your ticket to a colleague who’d enjoy it (see instructions below). If all else fails, you can get a full refund (minus transaction fees) up to the day before the event. Please see refund policy here.
What is the parking situation?
Two Entrances: Marengo Avenue to the west and Euclid Avenue to the east between Green Street and Cordova. Parking Cost: $15 a day for up to 16 hours
Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
No need. Proceed to the check-in desk and give us your name and company and/or show us your ticket on your mobile phone.
Is my registration or ticket transferable?
If you wish to transfer your ticket, please notify Vicki at info@alliancesocal.org no later than 5:00pm PST on June 14th. Please supply the first name, last name, email, company, title and cell phone number of the person you are transferring the ticket to.
Are there any volunteer opportunities available?
Yes. Please contact Vicki at info@alliancesocal.org if you would like to volunteer for the event.
Participating Institutions

