Tech Coast Angels, San Diego Venture Group and Cox Business to Present John G. Watson Quick Pitch 2018
Prestigious Event to Showcase 10 Stellar Entrepreneurs with Prizes Totaling $75,000; Application Deadline Aug. 31
SAN DIEGO, Calif. – August 21, 2018 – Tech Coast Angels – San Diego (TCA-SD), San Diego Venture Group (SDVG), and Cox Business today announced they are teaming up to present the John G. Watson Quick Pitch on October 24, 2018 at Qualcomm Hall. Now in its 11thyear, the event promises to be the biggest in history with over $75,000 in prizes – not to mention opportunities to connect with San Diego’s investment community.
Calls for entrepreneurs to submit applications are now open; the deadline for submission is August 31.
Twenty startups will be selected from what is expected to be hundreds of applications, and 10 finalists will be chosen in a semi-final on September 18. Each finalist will receive coaching from a TCA and SDVG member with relevant industry experience, and together they will create a two-minute pitch to present in front of a live audience of over 500 people at Qualcomm Hall. Esteemed judges from San Diego’s entrepreneurial and investment ecosystem will provide analysis, and the judges will select the top three winners. Additional prizes for this year’s event include an Audience Choice Award and a Community Partner Scholarship for a local high school student entrepreneur.
“With the involvement of San Diego Venture Group and Cox Business, this year’s Quick Pitch event will be our best yet,” said Victoria Lakers, TCA-SD Quick Pitch Chair. “As our local startup ecosystem continues to grow, we are excited to provide a bigger platform for San Diego’s best companies to share their stories, as well as a bigger combined prize to facilitate their growth.”
The 2017 Quick Pitch was the largest to date, as TCA and SDVG teamed up for the first time and awarded $50,000 in prize money. An additional $500,000 was invested in Quick Pitch companies in rounds led by Tech Coast Angels; two other Quick Pitch finalist companies raised capital from TCA as well.
SDVG President Mike Krenn said, “Last year’s new Quick Pitch partnership between SDVG and TCA proved that value of collaboration by increasing the number of applications, sponsors and prize money for companies while creating a more streamlined process. Collectively, we all agree and coalesce around the key data – this is best for the companies and the startup ecosystem. We are thrilled to bring Cox Business on board to continue increasing our impact with more cash prizes, visibility in the media and talent to organize this landmark event.”
“Cox Business is proud to join forces with Tech Coast Angels and San Diego Venture Group for this quick pitch competition to continue unifying the San Diego startup ecosystem, which will benefit entrepreneurs, startups and investors in this community,” said Jared Ruth, Director of Product & Marketing, Cox Business.
“While the event supports community networking and is entertaining for attendees, we focus most of our efforts on providing value to the presenting company founders,” said Dean Rosenberg, TCA-SD President. “Last year, TCA members provided over $500,000 in funding to our 2017 Quick Pitch finalists, in addition to the prize money awarded at the event.”
Please visit https://quickpitchsd.com or contact Ashok Kamal ([email protected]) for more information about the event.