​Join us at the third annual SoCal Deep Tech Symposium, produced by The Alliance for SoCal Innovation, hosted by DTI at THE BR-DGE and proudly sponsored by KPPB, Sunstone Management, J.P. Morgan, Caltech, and Gunderson Dettmer.

​When: September 24, 2026, 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Where: El Segundo, CA
Who: >120 deep tech industry leaders, founders, investors, innovators, and thought leaders

​What to know: A curated event featuring a keynote and a pair of startup pitch showcases with live Q&A that will provide insights into the unique opportunities and challenges of commercializing deep tech innovations in sectors such as Aerospace & Defense, Advanced Manufacturing, Autonomous Mobility, Robotics, and Cleantech. Stay for the investor panel "Fundraising in Today's Deep Tech Sector" and networking reception.

​Why it matters: Connect with top minds and explore the technologies and economic conditions driving the future of deep tech industries.

​AGENDA

​01:00 PM: Attendee Check-in

​01:30 PM: Opening remarks: Mayor Chris Pimentel, City of El Segundo; and Nikkole-Charlene Wilkerson, Founder and Executive Director at DTI

​01:40 PM: Keynote: Dr. Crystal Dilworth, Ph.D. aka "Dr. Brain", Instructor at Caltech Center for Technology and Management Education

​02:10 PM: First Look SoCal Deep Tech Showcase sponsored by KPPB

​Get an early glimpse into exciting new deep tech science-based startups emerging from SoCal's top research universities. Each of the 5 selected startups will quick pitch for 3 minutes immediately followed by 6 minutes of Q&A with a panel of investors and subject matter experts.

​Presenting Startups

​Cacophony Innovation (USC)
Water Illumination (UC Riverside)
Aphelion Aeronautics (Cal Poly SLO)
Precise Polymer (Skysong Innovations/ASU)
Helicoid Industries (UC Irvine)

​Expert Q&A Panelists

​Matt Kozlov (Multiball Capital)
Howard Ko (Morpheus Ventures)
Alexa McCulloch (Stardeck Ventures)
John Peck (KPPB, LP)

​Investor and startup details are here

​03:15 PM: Break

​03:45 PM: SoCal Deep Tech Accelerator Showcase

​Early-stage startups raising Seed or Series A funding referred from the region’s accelerators and ecosystem support organizations will have the opportunity to pitch for 3 minutes followed by 6 minutes of Q&A led by investors, strategics and other subject matter experts. The interaction between the founders and expert panelists will reveal unique insights about fundraising and the startup journey that are rarely seen outside of confidential due diligence reviews.

​Presenting Startups

​CarBonne (LACI, Braid Theory)
Dugu Systems (SoCal Venture Pipeline)
ORBES (SoCal Venture Pipeline)
4th State Energies (UC Riverside)
Atmosphere Ventures (Hive Autonomous Innovation Center)
Unmanned Aerospace (Connect San Diego)
Roboze (Starburst)

​Expert Q&A Panelists

​Howard Ko (Morpheus Ventures)
Alexa McCulloch (Stardeck Ventures)
Alex Lautzenheiser (UP.Partners)
Andre Doumitt (Aerospace Corp.)
John Peck (KPPB, LP)

Investor and startup details are here

​05:00 PM: Investor Panel: Fundraising in Today's Deep Tech Sector

​Panelists:

​Diana Zhou, Partner, New Vista Capital
Dan Hart, President, HarTechnologies; Advisor, Board Member
Lt. Col. Vinny Pande, System Program Manager & Deputy Director SpaceWERX, United States Space Force
Nima Ashraf, Founder and Managing Director, Physical Fund
Connie Shih (moderator), Vice President | Innovation Economy, Startup Banking, J.P. Morgan

​05:45 PM Networking Reception

​Continue the conversation and connect while enjoying refreshments and snacks.

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​THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

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