The Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) Small Business Development Center (SBDC) announced the 12 tech startup semi-finalists to compete in the 2025 Angel Conference: Castlelock Corporation, Catchy Apps LLC, Ecoplasticity, Epiphene, Inc., Essemble, Inc., GreenSight Technologies, Horizen Tech, Mr. Turtle, ODIN Diagnostics, SafePlate Technologies, Simple & Green LLC, and Vizualeyes. The hybrid event will take place at Rod & Hammer Rock and stream on YouTube Live on May 1st. Startups will have the opportunity to compete for $100,000+ in equity-backed funding.
- Castlelock Corporation: offers the fastest biometric electromechanical safety device for AR-15s, ensuring the weapon is only accessible to its owner.
- Catchy Apps LLC: revolutionizing peer-to-peer rentals by connecting people who need items with those who have them, fostering community connections while promoting sustainability.
- Ecoplasticity: aims to redefine and replace plastic films with their marine biofilm for food packaging that will replace the plastic lining found on single-use packaging like takeout containers and cups and has the ability to biodegrade within two months.
- Epiphene, Inc.: revolutionizing cooling systems with advanced filtration and non-chemical water treatment solutions, ensuring efficiency and eco-friendliness. As data centers double in the next five years, Epiphene’s technology can significantly reduce water and power usage, addressing critical resource challenges.
- Essemble, Inc.: a B2B SaaS platform designed for the construction industry, offering an all-in-one solution to streamline operations, enhance team collaboration, and centralize project management.
- GreenSight Technologies: simplifies the disposal of large-scale electronics and resale processes with data-driven solutions powered by advanced computer intelligence, enabling businesses to make faster, data-driven decisions about their inventory, increasing revenue and supporting a circular economy for electronics.
- Horizen Tech: provides tools that empower alcohol drinkers and public safety officials to make more informed decisions. The first product is an inexpensive patch that conveniently and continually gives insight into individual BAC levels.
- Mr. Turtle: on a mission to reduce single-use plastic by creating and installing refillable cleaning product stations.
- ODIN Diagnostics: redefining concussion care and making a significant leap forward in brain health. Their eye-tracking solution, involving machine learning and a cloud-based application, provides objective and non-invasive concussion assessments in minutes, reducing the risk of successive concussions, guiding treatment, and preventing further damage after injury.
- SafePlate Technologies: Cal Poly graduates dedicated to the future of food contaminant detection utilizing biotechnology to create a device for food manufacturers that lowers risk, cuts testing time and costs, and ensures consumer trust in food products.
- Simple & Green LLC: an innovative recycling company revolutionizing waste management through subscription-based recycling services and blockchain-powered transparency.
- VizualEyes: provides smart, 3-D visualization systems for dentistry and other fields using stereo microscopes to improve ergonomics and offer digital imaging advantages, including documentation, collaboration, telemedicine, and AI-enhanced digital applications to result in better patient outcomes.
This annual event is propelled by a dedicated group of angel investors looking to invest in early-stage startups in exchange for ownership equity or convertible debt. The top six startup finalists will compete in the eighth annual AngelCon pitch competition on Thursday, May 1st.
“The quality of startups for this year’s AngelCon is truly exciting. The top competing startups span a diverse range of industries. This year we are seeing a significant number in CleanTech, a trend that has been on the rise. Through AngelCon, we are excited to be supporting the next generation of companies that will be growing in our region.” – Liz Fisher, Interim Director of the Cal Poly CIE Small Business Development Center.
AngelCon 2025 is presented by Pacific Premier Bank. In-person and virtual tickets can be purchased at angelcon2025.eventbrite.com. Virtual tickets cost $10 and live event tickets are available for $65, which includes networking and dinner. Early Bird tickets are available until March 4th.
Visit the event’s website sbdc.calpoly.edu/angelcon for more information.
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