The San Diego Angel Conference brings experienced and aspiring angel investors under one roof, with a single mission of "we get to YES" and investing in promising new innovative startups with exceptional founders (industry agnostic, geographically diverse). Our first order of business was to evaluate 99 companies to decide on our 24 quarterfinalists in a 2-week time frame - YIKES! The angels were hard at work evaluating Gust profiles, pitch videos, pitch decks, executive summaries and founder profiles to rate, talk and decide on the most promising founders. To reach the quarterfinals is impressive to say the least because over 50 investors need to have voted in favor of their business models, product-market fit and competitive positioning in their markets.
Congratulations to this year's San Diego Angel Conference Quarterfinalists! These 24 teams will give 3-minute pitches next week to our 50+ investors, and we will then choose 12 Semifinalists to move on in our process. We will award at least a $200k check to our winner, although in the past we've either awarded more to the winner, funded additional start-ups or both. In 2021, our investors put over $1.7m into SDAC companies. Even those that haven't moved forward have gained valuable knowledge, insights and connections to help them 'Get To Yes.'
The Quarterfinalists of SDAC IV (2022) are (in alphabetical order):
- AQUATRAX - Next-generation Cloud-based Water Loss Tracking and Compliance Management Platform.
- BrainSpace - BrainSpace is simplifying critical care after stroke, trauma or surgery with automated, connected devices to protect the brain or spine and help it heal.
- CARI Health, Inc. - A wearable remote monitor to keep patients on life saving medications.?
- Diagenta - Home is the best place to heal. A new level of technology-enabled house calls for the 21st century
- Digiteyez - We've built an optician in your pocket. A digital eye test that generates prescriptions, and can diagnose eye disease, that can be taken on any digital device.?
- Elevated Labs - We create a legal pathway for cannabis manufacturers to successfully produce and market their products with limited capital and barriers to entry.?
- First Light Coffee Whiskey - We create award-winning craft spirits to celebrate life’s adventures.?
- Fort Jameson - A novel technology that will allow companies to manufacture their chemical and biological products continuously, to increase profit margins and product quality.?
- GoX Labs - Predict and Prevent Future Workforce Injuries using Machine Learning Models and Third Party Wearables.
- Hera Biotech - Hera is developing the first non-surgical, tissue-based test capable of both diagnosing and staging endometriosis.?
- HUGS - Housing Undergraduate & Graduate Students, HUGS, qualifies international students for housing through a proprietary creditworthiness algorithm, the HUGS Score.
- Karios Technologies, Inc - A spinoff from UCSD and UCLA, Karios has developed a novel, patented click-chemistry hydrogel platform that addresses significant unmet needs in surgery.?
- kwikkart - kwikkart allows grocery shoppers to skip the checkout process and save money as our AI platform uses in-store behavior to generate personalized promotions.?
- LifEngine Animal Health Laboratories - LEAH Labs is building living therapies for companion animal health.?
- Makeena, Inc. - Customers include Kraft Heinz and Conagra. 110,000 users. Real-time Data Insights Engine for the $300B Natural Products Industry.?
- NeuroNordic, Inc. - We are forced to watch as brain damage develops in our patients; this is our motivation!
- ReJoule, Inc - ReJoule's diagnostics enable fast and accurate health checks for electric vehicle batteries.?
- SAIL Fusion - SAIL Fusion is creating sacroiliac joint fusion implants designed to provide lasting relief for patients with chronic pain using the principles of joint fusion?
- Shoonya Digital, Inc - Shoonya is a game-based learning platform that allows children under the age of ten to learn multiple languages and world cultures.
- Stylebot - Stylebot is a virtual editing assistant that helps professional writers improve their credibility into today's 24/7 media landsape.?
- Temprian Therapeutics Inc. - Temprian Therapeutics develops a DNA based platform drug for the treatment of the pigment loss disorder vitiligo.?
- The Compost Group - $100k revenue despite launching March 2020 as pandemic hit. Subcontract w/ Waste Mgmt for City of Del Mar. Direct Customers incl. Viasat, UCSD, ThermoFisher.
- Violett Inc. - Violett creates safe spaces to breathe using proprietary technology that kills germs in the air 50x more effectively than current comparable products.
- Welfie - Welfie is a population health platform that lets families take a “wellness selfie” and we match them to health resources to improve health outcomes.?
CONGRATS! Now onto 30min pitches, virtual coffee meetings and further evaluation of the companies.
Senior Director, Global Population Health
3 年What a diverse group. Great to see these changemakers recognized and supported.
Experienced operations professional focused on data visualization using Tableau and PoweBI. Strong interests in Consulting, Corporate Relations and Public Relations.
3 年Carl Dumesle ????
Developer | Operator| Hotel convertor | Multi-sector commercial experience | annual $ billion in sales | Tech/Biotech/RE | Ex JNJ | defensive value add investment strategy
3 年Diana-Waleska Mauricio Ph.D
Founder & CTO at Violett || Building an AI driven air health platform
3 年Violett is very excited to join you all in the quarterfinals!
Expert Hitting Coordinator/Inventor
3 年We Can Move Mountains. We are looking at every sector on this list of potential Rock Stars. As we move forward we will see some things that make what I am saying a bit more Valuable. Lots of change taking place. Who ever is in charge may want to take a moment to check out some ideas I see they are missing. Its what I do. Kind of like a scout. My City. All of it will come out in the wash. ??