SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA – The Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) Small Business Development Center (SBDC) announced the 12 startup semi-finalists selected to compete in the 2026 Angel Conference The hybrid event will take place at Rod & Hammer Rock and stream on YouTube Live on Thursday, April 30, 2026. Startups will compete for $100,000+ in equity-backed funding.
“This year’s AngelCon lineup showcases some of the most promising startups our region has seen. From innovative ideas to strong execution, these companies reflect the talent and ambition driving local entrepreneurship. We’re thrilled to provide a platform where these startups can connect, grow, and make their mark,” shared Donica Forensich, Economic Development Director of the Cal Poly CIE SBDC.
The 12 semi-finalists selected to advance to the next round of the competition are:
- AwareNet: A community-driven platform that turns neighborhoods into real-time safety networks, enabling rapid alerts and coordinated community support during emergencies. Submitted by Jake Veazey.
- BitJane Rewards, LLC: A compliance-encoded rewards infrastructure for regulated retail commerce that enables real-time, compliant customer incentives with built-in auditability and regulatory oversight. Submitted by Nathan Garcia.
- Cantaloupe AI: A recruiting platform that automates frontline hiring using voice interviews and delivers ranked, retention-focused candidate recommendations. Submitted by Rich Simmerman.
- Condor Calibration Services, Inc.: Provides deployable calibration targets that help enable accurate methane detection from satellites, aircraft, and drones. Submitted by John Dibenedetto.
- Ecoplasticity: A seaweed-based coating designed to replace plastic take-out linings with a compostable alternative. Submitted by Mayela Fernandez.
- Everest Medical Solutions, Inc.: A minimally invasive medical device addressing shoulder dystocia, a critical childbirth complication. Submitted by Jenna Eissmann.
- Genehome, Inc.: A platform that standardizes contractor inspections into auditable, longitudinal property condition records. Submitted by Steven Rogall.
- Hikari Medical Technologies: Developing precise drug-delivery and monitoring technologies to enable safer dosing of potent therapeutics. Submitted by Aria Ghasemizadeh.
- Original Ginger Beer: A fermented ginger concentrate product for bars and restaurants, designed for pump-dispensed service. Submitted by Kenneth Emmer.
- SafePlate Technologies, Inc.: A rapid contaminant testing device for food manufacturing facilities to improve quality control. Submitted by Mitchell Dann.
- Surface22: A microplastic-free titanium cutting board that sanitizes instantly, and is built for long-term durability. Submitted by Ryan Krakauer.
- Vulcan BioWorks: A biotech services company using a digital platform, The Forge™, to accelerate and streamline medicine manufacturing. Submitted by Andrew Govea.
This annual event is propelled by a dedicated group of angel investors looking to invest in early-stage startups, who will compete for a $100,000+ investment from the angel investors. From the 12 semi-finalists, six companies will be selected to pitch live at the ninth annual AngelCon event on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
AngelCon 2026 is presented by Columbia Bank. In-person and virtual tickets can be purchased at bit.ly/angelcon2026tickets. Early bird pricing is available through March 3, 2026, with tickets priced at $65 for in-person attendance, which includes networking and dinner at Rod & Hammer Rock, and $10 for virtual access via YouTube Live.
About the Cal Poly CIE Small Business Development Center
The Cal Poly CIE Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides high-quality complimentary business assistance to start-ups and established companies. We help entrepreneurs launch companies, create and retain jobs, and attract capital investment. The Central California SBDC Network Small Business Development Centers are funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA). All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA, CalOSBA, or the Central California SBDC Network. SBDC services are provided in a nondiscriminatory way to all legal residents and citizens in the US. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact the California SBDC closest to you. For more information, visit sbdc.calpoly.edu.
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