Tech Coast Angels 2009 “Fast Pitch” Competition Most Successful Yet

 
220 Applicants, 37 Finalists Present to Panel of Expert Judges
 
LOS ANGELES – March 27, 2009 – The fourth annual Tech Coast Angels Fast Pitch Competition concluded with 37 startup companies giving 90-second live presentations over two days. From more than 220 applicants, 37 outstanding entrepreneurs were selected to pitch their business ideas before a panel of expert judges. Entrepreneurs that received top scores for business concept, opportunity and presentation skill were invited to advance to TCA’s formal investment funding process. Finalists from prior TCA Fast Pitch events have gone on to receive more than $20 million in venture funding.
More than 500 people attended the, largest ever, TCA Fast Pitch Competition at the UCLA Anderson School of Management. The Tech Coast Angels Fast Pitch Competition in Los Angeles is a “must attend” event for entrepreneurs, looking to jumpstart their entrepreneurial dreams, and for investors, seeking to hear about the latest innovations from Southern California companies. Joining Tech Coast Angels this year to sponsor the Fast Pitch were Stubbs, Alderton & Markiles, LLP; Silicon Valley Bank; and University of California Los Angeles “Entrepreneurship Week.” 
  
The audiences attending Fast Pitch see exciting new startup opportunities, learn the art of the pitch, and network with hundreds of investors and entrepreneurs. Fast Pitch finalists span the spectrum from green “clean tech” and medical devices, to RFID and Internet gaming breakthroughs.
“Fast Pitch is a great way to highlight terrific local startups and introduce entrepreneurs to TCA’s angel investor members and other venture capitalists who are actively seeking to fund new ideas,” said Al Schneider, president, Tech Coast Angels, Los Angeles. “We received a record level of interest from entrepreneurs this year and continue to be impressed by their creativity and enthusiasm.”
In addition to the entrepreneurs pitching their promising startups, the program featured a panel of Southern California venture capitalists including Michael Rotgin, Shelter Capital Partners; Rick Smith, Crosscut Ventures; Mark Suster, GRP Partners; and Richard Yen, Saban Ventures. Peter Cowen, chair of this year’s competition, moderated a lively panel discussion about the funding process and what entrepreneurs can expect in the current economic environment.
“I had no idea something like Fast Pitch existed,” said Stephanie Fleming, director of integrated marketing at RIESTER/LA. “Tech Coast Angels is providing a way to see brand new ideas, technologies and companies. Anyone who wants to see the future of Southern California business should attend!”  
The finalists in the fourth annual Tech Coast Angels Fast Pitch Competition were:
About Tech Coast Angels
Tech Coast Angels, https://tcaventuregroup.com, is the largest angel investor network in the United States and the leading source of funding to early-stage companies in Southern California. Since its inception in 1997, TCA members have focused on building valuable companies, personally invested nearly $100M, and helped portfolio companies attract more than $960M in additional capital, mostly from venture capital firms. TCA members give companies more than just capital; they also provide counsel, mentoring and access to an extensive network of potential investors, customers, strategic partners and management talent. TCA has more than 300 members, including its venture capital affiliates, in five networks in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Westlake/Santa Barbara and the Inland Empire.
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