Investor Capital Expo: A Wrap of 2023 and Primer for What’s to Come!

The Investor Capital Expo charted new waters last year. Bringing diverse, cutting-edge deal flow and thousands of sophisticated investors and family offices under one roof, the event helped give a new direction to the Pacific Northwest investing ecosystem. It returns on March 14 and 15 LIVE on ZOOM and at the Microsoft Conference Center in Redmond, Seattle. Register now: https://bit.ly/3wjQvVg

Keiretsu Forum Northwest & Rockies hosted two stellar editions of the Investor Capital Expo in 2023. In April and August, the premier gathering of the investor capital community showcased cutting-edge companies, facilitated invaluable connections, and provided key insights into the future of angel investing.?Let’s revisit the highlights to understand what’s in store for the highly anticipated 2024 edition (only days away)!

Investor Capital Expo Blossoms in April?

On April 6th, over 500 founders, investors, and innovation enthusiasts converged at the Microsoft Conference Center in Redmond for a day of game-changing presentations.?

With 17 rigorously vetted growth-stage companies presenting throughout the day, it became apparent that the Pacific Northwest remained a hub of state-of-the-art technology and purposeful innovation. From cleantech to artificial intelligence to medical devices and beyond, attendees witnessed the sheer breadth of disruptive ideas emerging from the region.

Spirited Q&A sessions after each presentation allowed the companies to engage closely with investors and clarify questions related to their business models, growth strategies, and fundraising needs. Investors cast over 1,000 indications of interest in all presenting startups.

EarthGrid PBC , that provides renewable energy infrastructure to accelerate sustainability, claimed the top spot as the Most Valued Company. Seaweed cultivation innovator?Cascadia Seaweed ?and medical device company?OtoNexus Medical Technologies ?took second and third place, respectively.

Beyond the startup presentations, keynotes from investing experts provided valuable perspectives on trends shaping angel investing. Speakers included?Ronald Weissman , Chair of the Angel Capital Association ; 微软 Principal Program Manager?Adina Trufinescu ;?Troy Niehaus ?of Bernstein Private Wealth Management; and? Andrew Romans of 7BC Venture Capital

The Expo also recognized Keiretsu Forum member George Feil with the Most Valued Member award for his instrumental contributions to developing startups within the Keiretsu community.

Part Two: August Expo Captivates Seattle Waterfront

The summer edition of the Investor Capital Expo doubled down on the momentum, spanning two full days on August 16-17 at the Microsoft Conference Center in Redmond, Seattle, and LIVE on ZOOM.

With?over 1,000?investors registered for the virtual and in-person event, engagement reached new heights. Day one focused on power networking through the Keiretsu Syndication Summit and the Family Office Forum. Meanwhile, day two showcased 24 up-and-coming companies to a packed hall of eager investors and hundreds more online.

The Family Office Forum gathered an impressive roster of speakers to discuss recent trends and strategies relevant to family offices and UHNI investors. Moderated panels dove into AI's potential, emerging manager programs, direct company investments, and co-investments.

Ron Weissman?spoke to us about the state of private capital markets. The dynamic landscape of family offices was illuminated by the perspectives of Keshav Rao,?Craig D'Cruze ,?Katherine Hill Ritchie , Ken Goldman ,?Matthew Salloway , and?Ted Ackerley . Another captivating panel featuring S. Chakra Chennubhotla ,?Melanie Salvador ,?Armando Viteri , and?Adrian Mendoza ?revealed exciting advancements in AI investment opportunities for family offices.

Day two kept energy levels high with 24 promising startups presenting throughout the event. Companies represented industries from agriculture and cleantech to medical technology and software. Once again the response was encouraging, with over 1,500 investor interests for presenting companies.?

Healionics Corporation ?grabbed the top honor as the Most Valued Company for its innovative biomaterial technology that accelerates healing. Runner-ups were?CLICS ?for their smart pill bottle and medication adherence system and?Light Line Medical, Inc. l?for their device improving IV placement.

Like the April edition, the summer Expo concluded by honoring an exceptional Keiretsu Forum member.?Craig D’Cruze?received the Most Valued Member award for his integral support of the Keiretsu community.

What’s Next for the 2024 Investor Capital Expo

While the 2023 editions are strong indicators of what's to come, there's no doubt that the?Investor Capital Expo on March 14 and 15?is Keiretsu Forum Northwest and Rockies' biggest event of the year so far.

Here’s what? attendees can look forward to:

• It will be the?biggest gathering of angel investors?in the Pacific Northwest and the US!
• Day one — the exclusive Keiretsu Power Matching Exchange will connect pre-qualified family offices, funds, and corporate partners one-on-one with founders.
• Keynote speakers will take the stage and the Keiretsu Family Office Forum panel meet will conclude day one.
• The theme for Investor Capital Expo Day 1 discussions is?’Engaging the NextGen through Entrepreneurship and Investing’
• Day two is the BIG day. Hundreds of investors, VCs, family offices, and institutional investors will join us in person at Microsoft Building 92 and online via ZOOM.
• 18 high-growth potential companies?will pitch to active investors, with networking and Q&A opportunities.
• Most Valued Member, Most Valued Company, and Lifetime Achievement awards to be handed out.

As the Pacific Northwest's premier gathering of the investor capital community, the Investor Capital Expo is poised to exceed expectations. More so at a time when the signs of an investor-friendly market are in plain sight. The scale of the Investor Capital Expo will be bigger than ever. Register now and fund the future with Keiretsu Forum.?

About Keiretsu Forum Northwest & Rockies

Keiretsu Forum Northwest & Rockies is a region within the global Keiretsu Forum investor network. It includes chapters in Vancouver (Canada), Denver/Boulder, Bellevue, Seattle, Salt Lake City/Boise, and Portland. Keiretsu Forum Northwest & Rockies has more than 400 members and has invested over $500 million since its founding in 2005. For more information, visit?www.k4northwest.com