Thursday night's "Investor Speed Dating" was a big success!

With over 100 local startup companies presenting and 40+ investors in the house, the energy was high and startup innovation was in the air for this startup pitch competition.

Hosted at the UCI Merage School of Business' Beall Center for Innovation, the auditorium and lobby were packed with local entrepreneurs and the dozens of local Orange County investors who volunteered their time to give feedback on startup investment pitches.

Thanks to TCVN for Organizing

The event was well organized and very well attended thanks to the Tech Coast Venture Network's board and volunteers, including especially Master of Ceremonies JJ Richa.

Keynote Speaker:  Shawn Dougherty

Local OC entrepreneur, Shawn Dougherty, shared the story of her startup-to-exit- success as the Founder of Mophie.

Congratulations to 1st Prize Winner InMapz!

With dozens of qualified startups of all sorts pitching, the competition was exciting and diverse.

First place was awarded to InMapz, an indoor mapping service for complex indoor environments like airports, shopping malls, cruise ships, casinos, and hospitals.  InMapz CEO HD Vo's pitch was the highest rated by the panel of angel and venture capital investors.

(HD Vo of InMapz pictured with OC Startup Council CEO, Scott Fox.)

Second place in the Investor Speed Dating startup pitch competition was won by Lille Krukrubo for her startup Timmy.  The software helps professional sports instructors organize, track, and grow their classes, quickly collect money and grow revenues faster by using automation to help with client retention, communication and marketing. 

And third place was awarded to Mark Varney of Neurolixis, an early-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of novel drugs for the treatment of human central nervous system disorders including Parkinson's disease, Rett syndrome, depression, and schizophrenia.

Congratulations to all the presenting companies who benefited from the volunteer time of the many investors who participated in the investment pitch coaching and mentoring.

Everyone in the Orange County startup ecosystem benefited from this fun event.  Thanks to TCVN and all the sponsors and promotional partners.

We're all looking forward to the next one!