TCVN Announces Survivor XI SoCal Startup Pitch Competition by TCVN at the Cove at UC Irvine as a part of OC Innovation Week

Irvine, CA – February 11, 2025 – Tech Coast Venture Network? (TCVN) is thrilled to announce the 11th Annual Survivor? Fast Pitch Competition, returning on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, as part of OC Innovation Week at The Cove at 美国加州大学尔湾分校 . This year's event will feature the largest Survivor stage in history, offering entrepreneurs and startups an unparalleled opportunity to pitch their ideas, win cash prizes, and secure a Golden Ticket to Octane OC 's prestigious Main Stage Pitch Event on Wednesday, May 7.

Orange County's Original Fast-Pitch Competition Returns Bigger Than Ever

Since its inception, Survivor has been the premier fast-pitch competition in Southern California, providing early-stage entrepreneurs with a platform to refine their pitch, gain exposure, and connect with investors. Building on the success of Survivor X at SoCal Startup Day , where over 100 founders pitched their startups, this year’s competition will feature a cash prize for the winner, in celebration of TCVN’s 40th anniversary. "Survivor is the American Idol of fast-pitch events," said Tony Crisp , President of TCVN. "We are excited to collaborate with Octane and UCI to make entrepreneurship more accessible and inclusive to our community."

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Event Agenda & Competition Format:

5:15-6:15 PM | Lightning Round ?

• All attendees with a General Admission ticket will have the opportunity to deliver a 30-second pitch to the audience.
• The top three (3) selected pitches will advance to the Semi-Finals.
• First come, first served, so arrive early to secure a spot!

6:30-7:30 PM | Semi-Finals

• Semi-finalists, including Lightning Round winners and PitchPass holders, will present a 90-second pitch to a panel of expert judges.
• The top three (3) finalists will move on to the Final Round.
• PitchPass+ holders will also receive an exhibitor booth and complimentary team tickets.

8:00-8:30 PM | Final Round

• The final three (3) competitors will have five (5) minutes on stage to deliver a three-minute pitch followed by a two-minute Q&A with the judges.
• The winner will take home cash prizes, the Survivor Golden Skull, and a Golden Ticket to Octane’s Main Stage Pitch Event!

Survivor XI Prizes:

?? 1st Place Winner:

• ?? Golden Ticket to Octane's Main Stage Pitch Event
• $2,084 cash prize
• 1st Place Survivor Golden Skull

?? 2nd Place Winner:

• $1,000 cash prize
• 2nd Place Survivor Golden Skull

?? 3rd Place Winner:

• $1,000 cash prize
• 3rd Place Survivor Golden Skull

Survivor XI & OC Innovation Week

Survivor XI is part of OC Innovation Week, a weeklong event from May 5-9, 2025, celebrating entrepreneurship, technology, and investment in Southern California. The winner of Survivor XI on Tuesday May 6, will secure a Golden Ticket to Octane’s Main Stage Fast Pitch on Wednesday May 7, where they will present their company to a curated audience of investors, executives, and industry leaders.

This collaboration is part of a new strategic partnership between TCVN and Octane, announced in December 2024. The partnership aims to bridge the gap between early-stage entrepreneurs and investors, leveraging TCVN’s PitchPolished? and InvestorReady? workshops as a feeder to Octane’s LaunchPad SBDC Accelerator to help founders refine their business strategies and prepare for funding. "This partnership amplifies our shared mission to empower founders, helping them navigate challenges and achieve meaningful milestones in their startup ventures." added Bill Carpou , CEO of Octane OC.

Sponsorship Opportunities:

Survivor XI isn’t just an event—it’s a launchpad for the next generation of innovators, and your brand can play a pivotal role in their journey. By sponsoring at any level—Grand Prize, Microphone, Lanyard, Swag Bag, Food, Drink, Video, or Community Partner—you’ll gain exclusive visibility among top early-stage entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders while directly supporting TCVN’s mission to help Founders become fundable. Sponsorship offers premium branding, VIP networking access, and a unique opportunity to champion the future of innovation and entrepreneurship.

For sponsorship inquiries, please contact [email protected]

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About TCVN

Tech Coast Venture Network? (TCVN) is a nonprofit organization celebrating its 40th anniversary, dedicated to fostering economic and social impact by helping first-time founders become fundable. Positioned in the startup ecosystem "between the i’s: idea and investment," TCVN provides year-round pitch coaching, educational resources, and networking opportunities for pre-seed and seed stage entrepreneurs.

Signature TCVN events include:

• Survivor? Fast Pitch Competition
• Wingz? Angel Investor Speed Dating
• Rocky? Founders Choice Awards

Join the TCVN Community

Become a TCVN Member for just $20.84 per year and receive:

? Discounts on all events

? Exclusive educational content

? Official LinkedIn verification badge

?? For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: lu.ma/survivor

Learn more at TCVN.org