Pitch Irvine: Grand Finale @ Irvine City Hall
Want to see what the next generation of founders is building — before everyone else does?
Join us for the Grand Finale of Pitch Irvine, where the top startups from Irvine and across Orange County take the stage after a full day of competition.
🚀 Pitch Irvine — Grand Finale
You’ll watch the best teams across Applied AI, Healthcare Innovation, Energy & Mobility, and DTC & Commerce pitch live — in front of investors, founders, and operators — all competing for the top spot.
💡 Each track winner will receive a $1,000 prize, and all participants will be eligible for the People’s Choice Award, offering an additional opportunity to win $1,000 through audience voting.
This is not a passive audience. You’ll be part of the energy — showing up, supporting teams, and helping spotlight the founders who deserve to win.
Expect:
Innovative ideas and real ambition
a room full of builders, investors, and operators
live reactions, momentum, and community support behind standout teams
Whether you’re discovering startups early, meeting your next collaborator, or just want to be in the room where it happens — this is it.
Agenda:
4:30 – 4:40 PM — Doors Open & Check-in (City Hall Chambers) Light snacks and networking as guests arrive.
4:40 PM — Welcome
4:45 – 5:00 PM — Opening Remarks
5:00 – 6:09 PM — Grand Finale Pitches 8 finalists
Each team: 5 min pitch + 3 min Q&A in front of a live panel of investors and industry experts.
6:09 – 6:14 PM — Judge Deliberation
6:15 PM — 🏆 Awards Ceremony 1st place per track: $1,000 · People's Choice Award: $1,000 (voted by the audience)
6:30 PM — Closing Remarks
Judge information:
Jasmine Jiang SVP of Investment Operations, Sunstone Management
Jasmine leads investment activities at Sunstone Management, specializing in seed and early-stage ventures across enterprise software, SaaS, and emerging technologies.
Bob Genthert Managing Director, EvoNexus
A seasoned executive with 35+ years spanning Fortune 50 leadership and venture-backed startups. Bob held senior roles at Time Warner and The Walt Disney Company before helping raise $200M+ and close a $350M exit at ecoATM.
Jay Zhao General Manager, Auntea Jenny USA
With a background in mobile tech and DTC in China's startup scene, Jay now leads the U.S. expansion of Auntea Jenny — bringing sharp insight into consumer brands and global-to-local scaling.
Sophie Zhu VP, Director of Partnerships, SHOPLINE
Sophie brings a decade of expertise in private equity, fintech, and global commerce. She works with entrepreneurs and investors worldwide to scale consumer businesses through digital commerce and strategic partnerships.
🌐 Learn more: irvinetechday.org
🙏 Special thanks to the UC Irvine ANTrepreneur Center for their partnership and support.
Sunstone Management is an investment firm based in Irvine, California. We back founders and connect them with capital, customers, and public–private partners through programs like Sunstone Stage Connects and other ecosystem initiatives.
UC Irvine ANTrepreneur Center
As UC Irvine’s primary hub for entrepreneurial education, the center equips undergraduates with the skills, mindset, and resources to launch startups, grow professionally, and lead with purpose. Since its founding in 2014, the ANTrepreneur Center has provided hands-on programs, personalized mentorship, and access to cutting-edge campus resources—transforming students into the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders.
Disclaimer: This communication, the event, the presenters and all topics discussed herein and at the events discussed in this communication are for educational purposes only. No investment is being solicited and no investment advice is provided herein or will be provided at those events. For our registered investment adviser Sunstone Advisors, LLC, please visit www.sunstoneadvisor.com.