Growth Capital Conference (www.gcc2000.org) meets quarterly in West LA to explore new startup opportunities.
The next gathering of GCC is October 27 at the Olympic Collection, from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Breakfast will be served.
Five to six entrepreneurs will each be given seven minutes to pitch their startups before a panel of judges. The judges come from the worlds of venture capital, angel investing, entrepreneurship, accounting and law.
At the end of each presentation, the judges will provide the presenter with immediate feedback intended to help the entrepreneur sharpen his or her presentation.
This October 27, the following deals will be presented:
- A “next generation” cloud-based operating system currently generating $6 million in recurring annual revenue;
- A luxury residential real estate developer who has overseas buyers seeking properties of $30 million and up;
David Clark shows off the “SpaceHarp,” which enables users to make electronic music simply by waving their hands above the device. - A prestige cocktail beverage company with overseas sales, now entering the US market with the help of a major distributor;
- An FDA-approved regenerative medical technology ready for major commercial product promotion; and
- An innovative search platform currently in discussions with multiple application partners.
Student interns from a local startup company listen in.
This presentation and judging process can be the beginning of a longer conversation, post-conference, that leads to the actual funding of a deal.
Many members of the audience are investors looking for deals; judges on the panel represent funds that are on the lookout for promising startups.
Judges include:
1) Chris Wadden, President, Pasadena Angels, with 100 Members. Pasadena Angels has invested $65 million in 175 companies;
2) Mark N. Schwartz, Chairman Emeritus, Harvard Business School Angels of Southern California;
3) Gene Massey, CEO, MediaShares and QwikShares, a crowdfunding solution with particular appeal to those in the entertainment industry;
4) Don Kasle, Chairman Emeritus, Tech Coast Angels, the
largest angel network in US, with 300 members. TCA has invested over $154 million in over 275 companies;
5) Jay Goth, Managing Partner, Forentis Fund ($50 Million).
Forentis invests in and supports medical innovations; and
6) Greg Cullen, Managing Director, Harvard Investment Group.
HIG invests $50K to several million dollars in startups and real estate.
Exhibitor booths are set up along the side and back of the room so entrepreneurs can explain their companies in more depth to interested parties.
Ample time is built into the program for networking; bring plenty of business cards!
For more information, go to gcc2000.org.
