Riverside Angel Summit announces 11 Semi-Finalists

Congrats to our 11 Riverside Angel Summit Semi-Finalists. Together we can build a strong local ecosystem in Riverside and the larger Inland Empire region where innovation and entrepreneurship can thrive. 

Some really impressive tech startups across Agtech, Cleantech, B2B SaaS and Healthtech. I look forward to seeing who the Citrus Seeds investors choose as the Finalists for Riverside Angel Summit this week.

The Semi-Finalists are:

Edge Sound Research : [Gaming, Consumer Hardware]: Audio experiences have stayed stagnant over the past three decades, while all other forms of content have evolved. It’s time that new innovation in audio moves the industry forward and gets us closer to the experiences we crave. At EDGE Sound Research, our dedication is not only to make existing audio experiences better but also to simultaneously redefine how we experience sound as a whole.

Vinduino : [Agtech, IoT]: Vinduino provides predictive intelligence and control services to help farmers manage their crops better under changing climate conditions.

FarmSense : [Agtech]: FarmSense is poised to revolutionize pest management. Our patented digital FlightSensor platform utilizes autonomous intelligent insect sensors providing real-time species identification and field intelligence mated to a machine earning AI database. This real time data provides solutions for agricultural, vector disease, and animal health applications. Our technology decreases pesticides dependence and increases food security.

MIplus Solar : [Cleantech, Clean Energy]: MIplus Solar Inc. is a start-up, spun-out from the University of California Riverside. MIplus Solar is a group of engineers, communications and business specialists based out of the University of California, Riverside who are developing the MIplus Solar Battery: A technology with the potential to revolutionize solar energy, making it a reliable and affordable energy source for every family and community.

UAV-IQ : [Agtech, Drones]: UAV-IQ, which stands for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Intelligence, is an agricultural technology company that leverages deep experience in large-scale drone operations and precision agriculture to develop and scale solutions for growers. UAV-IQ now stands poised to scale a groundbreaking new service of drone-based biological control which releases beneficial insects to control pest populations as an effective alternative to pesticides.

Clearpol : [Healthtech, B2B SaaS]: Healthcare compliance made simple.

SiLi-ion : [Cleantech, Battery]: SiLi-ion is perfecting a patented silicon carbon-shell nanoparticle powder additive that will enable immediate improvements to lithium-ion batteries. Our customers will be Li-ion battery manufacturers, allowing them to expand their product lines to include a high energy density segment without the need to change their current equipment or processes. This approach leverages the existing manufacturing base, applications, and sales channels.

GattaCo : [Med Device]: GattaCo developed a revolutionary new technologies that enabled clinical quality blood/plasma sampling at patients’ homes and decentralized testing. GattaCo is initially pursuing a B2B business model that will allow us to enable dozens of new products by integrating patented Cap-Reset™ material with partners’ diagnostic tests. We generate revenue through sales of A-PON™ Kits and pipeline products to multiple 3rd party labs supporting DTC services, and through funded development projects leading to licensing fees and royalties. GattaCo may pursue B2C opportunities at a later stage of growth.

Pharm Robotics : [Agtech, Robotics]: We are revolutionizing the inoculation process for dairy and beef cows with robotics. The automated system administers and records when vital pharmaceuticals are given. We send this info to the cloud, where farmers with real-time data can make informed decisions pertaining to herd health and labor usage. Leading to an increase in immunization/pregnancy rates, reduced labor/replacement costs, and better milk quality.

Pulse360 : [Fintech, B2B SaaS]: Financial advisors use a hodge-podge of tech/processes to capture their meeting notes & convert that to follow-up with their clients – wasting 50-minutes for every 1 meeting. With our software, advisors are already saving over 50% of the time and gives them the capacity to grow. By integrating with industry CRMs, we are tapping into their user base. We have already proven this channel works. We are excited to transform wealth management.

Swellter : [Healthtech, B2B SaaS]: Swellter is a platform as a service providing licensing opportunities to pharmaceutical companies and diagnostic laboratories for delivering educational content, via mobile and web enabled applications, to physicians and patients. Today, industry struggles to get in front of patients and physicians. Swellter augments the sales and educational teams by providing targeted and disease specific information at the point of care and beyond.

Riverside Angel Summit announces 11 Semi-Finalists
Riverside Angel Summit 11 Semi-Finalists

Inaugural Riverside Angel Summit brings region together to invest in its own startups

Thanks to the Inland Empire Business Journal for covering our event:

The most promising startup as judged by Angel Investors will receive over $100,000 in investment

The Riverside Angel Summit initiative led by UC Riverside in partnership with the City of Riverside and local community leaders aims to strengthen the angel investment culture in Inland Southern California by connecting investors to high-quality, vetted entrepreneurs. 

The program seeks to demystify the process of equity investment by providing interested potential angel investors a combination of training, workshops on best practices, and networking opportunities with seasoned investors and business executives who will guide them through the angel investment process. Through the creation of a special purpose vehicle managed by Citrus Seeds LLC led by Sean Varner, managing partner of Varner & Brandt LLC Riverside; and Kevin Kelly, former CFO for Johnson Machinery, who will serve as fund manager; the Riverside Angel Summit will provide early-stage angel investors the opportunity to invest as a group and enhance their investment skills and network.  

“We have seen how entrepreneurship transforms communities. The Riverside community has worked for years to find the right platform to encourage local investment in emerging businesses and retention of entrepreneurs in our community. The Riverside Angel Summit and Citrus Seeds represents the most viable opportunity to achieve these goals we’ve seen yet. I am excited to see this platform make significant contributions to the Riverside entrepreneurial ecosystem,” Varner said.

Startups that participate in the Summit will benefit from a two-month educational program, due diligence process, and a chance to compete in a final pitch competition for a $100,000 investment by Citrus Seeds LLC.  

The program officially kicked off on Sept. 6 and will culminate with The Summit Conference on Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021, where the six startup finalists will pitch.  

The event is co-chaired by Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson and UC Riverside Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox.  

“Our goal with this initiative is to continue our momentum toward making Riverside an innovation hub that will gain international recognition,” Lock Dawson said. “As a co-chair of the Riverside Angel Summit, I look forward to strengthening Riverside’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, one that supports new discoveries and development of innovative high-tech solutions to worldwide problems.”

UCR’s Office of Technology Partnerships through its EPIC Small Business Development Center will lead the organization of the summit and the delivery of the educational program. The initiative is supported in part by a three-year grant from the Economic Development Administration’s Regional Innovation Strategies Seed Fund Support, or SFS.  The SFS grant, awarded to UCR, aims to increase access to capital to inland Southern California.

“Access to capital is essential for startups to scale and succeed as businesses,” said Rosibel Ochoa, UC Riverside associate vice chancellor of technology partnerships. “A robust local investment community is critical to help startups grow and roots them in a location where they can thrive. The Riverside Angel Summit will bring together funding and startups to strengthen the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
 
The Inland Empire has seen significant growth in technology-focused entrepreneurship over the past five years. UCR has contributed to this effort by leveraging over $22 million in federal, state, and private funding to bolster the region’s innovation ecosystem. Its portfolio of entrepreneurial programs, including the EPIC Small Business Development Center, combined with its more than 15 experience Entrepreneurs-in-Residence has helped launch over 45 startups that have raised more than $70 Million in private capital and grants with the majority of investment coming from outside the region.

“UCR is proud of its continuing efforts to leverage the talent of our world-class research, faculty, and students,” Wilcox said. “The Riverside Angel Summit will help build support for those same scientists and scholars as they commercialize their discoveries.” 

The Riverside Angel Summit will hold a series of 13 workshops to help prepare startup founders to become more proficient in pitching investors and raising equity capital.  For more information visit  riversideangelsummit.com .

2021 Riverside Angel Summit

Startups & entrepreneurs in Riverside and the Inland Empire – a reminder to apply to pitch for the largest equity investment ever at a pitch event in our region – up to $100K at the Riverside Angel Summit. The deadline to apply is this Friday September 10th. Remember that you can continue to update your profile on the Gust CRM after the deadline, so get something in ASAP even if you just upload your pitch deck. It should only take about 5-10 minutes to apply. 
Remember that you must have raised less than $750K in equity capital to qualify and that grants (SBIR/STTR, etc) don’t count as part of the $750K. 
Let me know if you have any questions.

2021 Riverside Angel Summit
2021 Riverside Angel Summit

Job opportunity: Genomics Lab Tech/Scientist at SimplSeq

Murrieta Genomics, the launchpad for genomic sequencing startups, has announced that simplSEQ, an incubator company, has completed its seed round funding, having received $2 million in total. Funds are to be used to validate the company’s novel sample preparation technology with external labs, further protect its patent-pending intellectual property and bring the first products to market.

“This is the amount we targeted to get to revenue generation,” stated John Powers, CEO of simplSEQ. “Our first product is a kit for the purification and isolation of nucleic acids from plasma that we believe will transform the genomic industry.” 

Powers went on to explain that simplSEQ is initially focused on  Nucleic Acid purification and Targeted Assays. The first product is designed to allow labs to isolate and purify virtually all DNA and RNA from biological samples in a completely different way than currently used. The company believes that its proprietary process will be a significant improvement over the existing conventions.

Read the full story here: https://iebizjournal.com/murrieta-genomics-spinout-simplseq-completes-seed-round-funding/

Position Summary

The simplSEQ NGS Group is looking for a skilled scientist to join our NGS Lab. As a key member of the development team, you will be instrumental in the direction, success and the implementation of library sample preparation kits and products.

This is a fast-paced role that will involve cross-functional abilities.  It will require a motivated individual who is internally focused and a practical solution provider.

Responsibilities will include

  • Running and analysis of molecular biology assays, such as PCR, qPCR, and NGS
  • Operation and tracking of stability studies and equipment
  • Transfer, optimization and standardization of new assays from product development teams
  • Assisting external collaborators with experimental design, carrying out experiments and maintaining good documentation
  • Making technical recommendations based on knowledge, experience and data
  • Day-to-day communication with collaborators and customers
  • Evaluation of new analytical tools and techniques
  • The role and team may evolve and so, the scope of these responsibilities is likely to expand.

Required Skills and Experience:

  • Education: BA/BS in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Bioengineering, Biophysics
  • 1-5 years relevant work experience
  • Experience in the following: PCR, qPCR and NGS.
  • Strong theoretical and practical molecular biology skills
  • Self-motivated and adaptable
  • Good communication skills
  • Must be a team player
  • Demonstrated experience in solving challenging, interdisciplinary problems at the interface of biology, chemistry and materials science.

Desired Skills

  • NGS assay and instrumentation
  • Development, optimization or research experience
  • Understanding and experience in DOE and other statistical methods

At simplSEQ, we strive to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace by cultivating an environment in which everyone contributes to our mission.

Apply

Riverside County Innovation Month 2021 has started

Riverside County Innovation Month 2021 has started. Check out https://www.rivcoinnovation.org/ for the calendar of events during the month of April.

For Startups in Riverside County – two of the regional Fast Pitch competitions are still accepting applications to pitch: 

Corona https://business.mychamber.org/events/details/regional-fast-pitch-competition-19610

Coachella Valley https://cvep.com/event/fast-pitch-greater-palm-springs-2021/


Winners of the regional pitch competitions will be entered into the Fast Pitch Finale, where the finalists from all the regional competitions will pitch for a chance to win up to $10,000 this year.
#RivCoInnovation

A strong year ahead for Riverside tech startups

I am bullish on 2021 for the Riverside tech startups we are bringing out of the labs at University of California, Riverside as well as the community startups we mentor in Riverside, Inland Empire and the larger SoCal region. One of the startups I have mentored for 2 years just raised a million dollar round (for a total of $1.75M raised). We have 6 other amazing Riverside tech startups raising capital right now. New high paying jobs are being created by these Founders. 

2021 to be a banner year for the Riverside tech startups we are bringing out of the labs at UC Riverside.
Shailendra Singh, left, and Eamonn Keogh are the co-founders of FarmSense, a UC Riverside-based tech startup that aims to help farmers target pests more effectively. (Courtesy FarmSense)

The Riverside region is becoming known for Agtech, Cleantech, Logistics tech and Life Sciences innovation.

Angel investors and VCs – get in touch with me for high quality, vetted deal flow.