Tech Coast Angels picked 10 finalists for its John G. Watson Quick Pitch Competition. The annual event brings together promising San Diego startups to compete, with the top three winning a combined $75,000 in cash.
Startups also get a chance to pitch their businesses before an audience of potential investors. In the last three years, Quick Pitch finalists have raised more than $50 million in venture capital and $3 million in investment from Tech Coast Angels after the competition.
The competition has grown in recent years. Last year’s event brought a record number of attendees, with observers spilling out of the auditorium.
This year’s finalists were selected from more than 300 applicants. They include:
Agragene: A company using CRISPR technology to modify the genomes of plants and insects to reduce the need for pesticides.
Agtools Inc.: A supply chain software platform that offers real-time information to farmers, produce buyers and shippers to reduce food waste.
Eyedaptic: A company developing software for augmented reality glasses that can simulate natural vision for people suffering from vision loss from retinal diseases.
Jaan Biotherapeutics: A company developing technology that manipulates microRNAs to regenerate heart muscle to treat heart diseases.
Regenica Biosciences: A biochemical defense startup developing countermeasures to weaponized nerve agents and other potential threats.
RoomChazer: A startup offering housing listings, with the ability to look up information on roommates and pay rent individually.
Suavei: A cybersecurity company building tools to find and mitigate security weaknesses in IoT networks.
Stact: A tool for sports organizers to manage events and registration, and broadcast live scores and rankings.
The 5th Ingredient: A startup building software tools to help breweries manage inventory and track brewing processes to ensure consistency in each batch of beer.
1859 Inc.: A startup building a benchtop instrument to help scientists discover and develop new medicines.
