SITRI Innovations and Bay Angels hosted their second quarterly pitch event on February 18th, 2017 at SITRI Innovations’ Silicon Valley office. City Official of Half Moon Bay, Rick Kowalczyk, gave the opening speech and Evan Low, assembly member representing the 28th California Assembly District, delivered the keynote speech. Seven startups with expertise in the field of smart sleeping wearable, medical, smart inventory control, smart lighting system, smart agriculture, 3D detection technology, and sensor technology presented at the event. Rick Quan, KGO-TV Sports Anchor, was invited as the special Emcee for this pitch event. The China SF office attended the event and presented an award to SITRI and Bay Angels in recognition of their continuous effort in economic growth and community involvement.
Rick Kowalczyk gave his opening talk surrounding the topic of the ecosystem of startups and investment opportunities. Kowalczyk has been devoted in the management and integration of investment resources and collaboration with varies organizations to push the economy growth in Half Moon Bay. He mentioned in his speech that he will create a more supportive environment for the startup community.
Evan Low became the first Asian-American council member in the city of Campbell in 2006. Three years later, at age 26, he made history again as the nation’s youngest Asian-American mayor. Currently serving as the 28th California Assembly member, Low is an advocate for the tech community and knowledgeable in its impact on a city’s finance and economy. Low shared with the audience his experience working in Silicon Valley and encouraged the startup community to outreach to the local government more for support and resources.
Seven startups pitched their products – AI2, Avolved, Sana, Relimetrics, iMedrix, Coolmat and Thinnect. Founders presented their business models, product roadmaps and funding status and demoed their products. This is the second collaboration of the series of SITRI and Bay Angels Quarterly Pitch Event. By inviting the selected startups to present in front of a group of investors, SITRI and Bay Angels aim to create more exposure and bigger ecosystem for the startups and thus lead to more investment opportunities.
SITRI Innovations connects semiconductor and IoT hardware innovation closely and provides startup entrepreneurs a full spectrum of services and resources designed to help them succeed in their development and commercialization phases. Bay Angels is one of the most legendary angel investment organization in Silicon Valley, focusing on mentoring and funding support to startups. Beginning in 1998, Bay Angels has backed a long list of ventures.
Photo: The office of ChinaSF presenting Award of Recognition to SITRI and Bay Angels
Photo: Special Speaker – Rick Kowalczyk, City Official of Half Moon Bay
Photo: Keynote – Evan Low, the 28th California Assembly Member
Photo: Startups pitching