Launchpad Expo Venture Conference for AI/ML

May 15, 2025
|
1:30 pm
-
8:30 pm
The premier AI venture conference in Puget Sound, top startups pitching to investors, panel discussions, and networking with founders and experts.
Speakers
Aloke Gupta
Ron Wiener
Judges
Ken Morimoto
Magnus Christerson
Jennifer Savage
Presenters
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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

Event Day Schedule

​1:00 Registration​ and Networking

2:00 Welcome to Venture Mechanics, and introduction of conference chair Aloke Gupta
​2:15 Keynote Speaker: TBD
2:35 Panel discussion on Investing in AI/ML in the Current Environment of Rapid Change
3:15 Break

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.

Event Recap

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