SoCal Deep Tech Symposium 2026

Join us at the third annual SoCal Deep Tech Symposium, produced by The Alliance for SoCal Innovation, hosted by DTI at THE BR-DGE and proudly sponsored by KPPB, Sunstone Management, J.P. Morgan, Caltech, and Gunderson Dettmer.
When: September 24, 2026, 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Where: El Segundo, CA
Who: >120 deep tech industry leaders, founders, investors, innovators, and thought leaders
What to know: A curated event featuring a keynote and a pair of startup pitch showcases with live Q&A that will provide insights into the unique opportunities and challenges of commercializing deep tech innovations in sectors such as Aerospace & Defense, Advanced Manufacturing, Autonomous Mobility, Robotics, and Cleantech. Stay for the investor panel "Fundraising in Today's Deep Tech Sector" and networking reception.
Why it matters: Connect with top minds and explore the technologies and economic conditions driving the future of deep tech industries.
AGENDA
01:00 PM: Attendee Check-in
01:30 PM: Opening remarks: Mayor Chris Pimentel, City of El Segundo
01:40 PM: Keynote: Dr. Crystal Dilworth, Ph.D. aka "Dr. Brain", Instructor at Caltech Center for Technology and Management Education
02:10 PM: First Look SoCal Deep Tech Showcase sponsored by KPPB
Get an early glimpse into exciting new deep tech science-based startups emerging from SoCal's top research universities. Each of the 5 selected startups will quick pitch for 3 minutes immediately followed by 6 minutes of Q&A with a panel of investors and subject matter experts.
Presenting Startups
Cacophony Innovation (USC)
Water Illumination (UC Riverside)
Aphelion Aeronautics (Cal Poly SLO)
Precise Polymer (Skysong Innovations/ASU)
Helicoid Industries (UC Irvine)
Expert Q&A Panelists
Matt Kozlov (Multiball Capital)
Howard Ko (Morpheus Ventures)
Alexa McCulloch (Stardeck Ventures)
Nima Ashraf (Physical Fund)
John Peck (KPPB, LP)
Investor and startup details are here
03:15 PM: Break
03:45 PM: SoCal Deep Tech Accelerator Showcase
Early-stage startups