Angel investors selected 27 out of 101 startup applicants to advance to the SDAC VI Quarterfinals based on their potential to win the final conference pitch competition on May 9
SAN DIEGO – February 23, 2024 – San Diego Angel Conference (SDAC), at University of San Diego (USD), which activates angel investors and connects them with promising early-stage companies to create robust deal flow for accredited investors, have selected the 27 company quarterfinalists that will move forward to compete for a chance to win seed funding at SDAC’s signature conference on May 9 at USD.
A total of 101 companies applied for SDAC VI, hoping to land $200,000* in angel investment or attract investors interested in funding additional companies, receive mentoring, and build enduring professional and investor connections.
Accredited investors who are interested in learning more can find information at www.thesdangels.com/angel-investor.
SDAC VI Quarterfinalists include:
Last year’s SDAC winner was LIMBER Prosthetics & Orthotics, a startup that developed a process to create a patient-specific, lightweight, and durable prosthetic leg in just 12 hours using 3D-printing. They took home $269,000 in funding at the SDAC V conference and secured additional funds from investors and from UCSD within weeks of the event.
LIMBER CEO Dr. Joshua Pelz says, “The seed funding we received through SDAC enabled us to invest in product development and accelerate commercialization. SDAC’s support and mentoring on how to effectively communicate with angel investors, complete the due diligence process, and build a strong network of mentors, investors, and peers was invaluable.”
With an active angel investor group of about 90 accredited investors who invest starting at $7,000 each, funds are pooled, and investors work together to choose a winner each year. The San Diego Angel Conference at USD has become the largest event-based angel conference in the country.
While SDAC angel investors evaluate applications, review pitches, and work with fellow investors to determine which companies to invest in, the applying startup founders receive free and confidential coaching on the fundamentals necessary to become investment worthy from SDAC’s sister organization, the Brink SBDC.
SDAC partners with 35+ organizations including USD, San Diego State University (SDSU), and University of California, San Diego (UCSD), to drive deal flow and mentor startups. Sponsors include C3 Bank, JP Morgan, Clearpoint Agency, Mintz, Knobbe Martens, Coeptus Law, Pillsbury Law, Withum, Family Business Consulting Group, Whittier Trust, Marsh McLennan Agency, Seraf and Gust.
“These quarterfinalists are impressive. SDAC angel investors continue to evaluate their potential to provide a healthy return as the startup founders fine-tune their pitches in hopes of making it to the finale and securing funding,” says SDAC Fund Manager Priscilla Luckhurst. “We’re still accepting SDAC VI investor applications and I invite accredited investors to visit the website and fill out an application if interested.”
SDAC Founder Mysty Rusk says, “Our goals are to activate angel investors and fund early-stage companies with potential to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges. SDAC has reviewed over 600 promising applications over the first 6 years, including the 17 companies that are officially part of SDAC’s portfolio. About $191 million has been raised by SDAC portfolio companies or invested by SDAC investors so far. We are humble and proud of what we’ve created to support the innovation ecosystem.”
*Actual amount invested depends on total dollars raised. Historically, investors have exceeded both the investment amount and number of companies funded.
Media Contact:
Hilary McCarthy
hilary@clearpointagency.com – 774.364.1440