SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA — The Cal Poly Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE) Small Business Development Center (SBDC) announced the top six startup finalists selected to compete in the 2026 Angel Conference: Cantaloupe AI, Ecoplasticity, Everest Medical Solutions, Hikari Medical Technologies, SafePlate Technologies, and Vulcan BioWorks.
These companies are currently going through the due diligence process with our investors. One startup will receive $100,000+ in equity-backed funding. The ninth annual event will take place at Rod & Hammer Rock in San Luis Obispo and stream live on YouTube on Thursday, April 30, from 5:00–7:30 PM.
The Top 6 finalists selected to advance to the next round of the competition are:
- Cantaloupe AI: A recruiting platform that automates frontline hiring using voice interviews and delivers ranked, retention-focused candidate recommendations. Submitted by Rich Simmerman.
- Ecoplasticity: A seaweed-based coating designed to replace plastic take-out container linings with a compostable alternative. Submitted by Mayela Fernandez.
- Everest Medical Solutions, Inc.: Developing a minimally invasive medical device to address shoulder dystocia, a critical childbirth complication that can pose serious risks during delivery. Submitted by Jenna Eissmann.
- Hikari Medical Technologies: Creating precise drug-delivery and monitoring technologies that enable safer dosing of potent therapeutics. Submitted by Aria Ghasemizadeh.
- SafePlate Technologies, Inc.: Developing a rapid contaminant testing device for food manufacturing facilities to improve quality control and food safety. Submitted by Mitchell Dann.
- Vulcan BioWorks: A biotech services company using a digital platform, The Forge™, to accelerate and streamline medicine manufacturing. Submitted by Andrew Govea.
AngelCon 2026 will bring together investors, entrepreneurs, and community members to watch the region’s most promising startups pitch live for equity investment. Attendees will hear each company present their vision before investors announce the winning company receiving $100,000+ in angel funding to accelerate their business.
Tickets are now available. Virtual tickets are $15 and provide access to the YouTube Live broadcast. In-person tickets are $85 and include access to the pre-event dinner and networking session, the live pitch event, and one drink ticket. All ticket purchases require a unique email address.
To purchase tickets to the event, visit angelcon2026.eventbrite.com.
For more information about AngelCon, visit sbdc.calpoly.edu/angelcon.
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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