The Launchpad Expo series is Venture Mechanics’ signature venture conference, showcasing startups from a range of verticals—AI, ClimateTech, Aerospace/Drone, Consumer/CPG, FinTech, Manufacturing Automation, Health Sciences, DefenseTech, AgTech/FireTech, Web3, PropTech, InsureTech, EdTech, and more.

Each Launchpad Expo features 10 presenting startups selected by sector experts.  Five first-round presenting companies will each receive 28 minutes on stage - 12 minutes to pitch, 8 minutes of judges Q&A, and 8 minutes of audience Q&A.  Another five, second-round of companies will each present a shorter 3-minute pitch with 3 minutes of Q&A. All ten startups also have a demo table where they can entertain investor interest during the extensive afterparty.

Selection Process for Presenting Companies:

• Startups may begin applying two months prior to the event date, with a deadline of 4 weeks prior to the event date.
• Judges with expertise in the sector will select 5 first round and 5 second round presenting companies 2-3 weeks before the event date.
• In the final 2-3 weeks the judges and our staff will work with the presenting companies to perfect their pitches.  

Judges for this event:

Ken Morimoto, Experienced AI Investor
‍Magnus Christerson, Alliance of Angels AI Committee Co-chair
Jennifer Savage, Investor at Illuminate Ventures

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​Event Day Schedule

​1:00 Registration​ and Networking

2:00 Welcome to Venture Mechanics, and introduction of conference chair Aloke Gupta
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​2:15 Keynote Speaker: Vinod Kumar, Head of Engineering - Compute and Data Platform for Atlassian
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2:35 Panel discussion on Investing in AI/ML in the Current Environment of Rapid Change

3:30 First Round Company Presentations
3:30 Company 1
​4:00 Company 2
​4:30 Company 3
​5:00 Break
5:15 Company 4
5:45 Company 5
​6:15 Judges deliberation during break
​6:30 Prizes awarded

‍6:40 2nd Round Company Presentations‍
7:10 Closing remarks and upcoming events
7:20 Investor/founder mixer afterparty. Light dinner served while investors can spend the evening visiting with founders at their demo tables.