Los Angeles Regional Finalist Will Compete For $1M in Funding at Silicon Valley Grand Finale
Los Angeles Venture Association (LAVA) is partnering with Pepperdine Graziadio Business School to host the Startup World Cup Los Angeles regional event on Wednesday, April 24.
Startup World Cup is a global series of pitch competitions that are powered by Fenox Venture Capital and held in 40+ regions around the world. The top startup from each region will go to Silicon Valley for the Grand Finale event on May 17 to compete for a $1,000,000 investment.
“Supporting innovation and empowering entrepreneurs is at the heart of what we do at the Graziadio Business School which is why we’re so excited to host the Los Angeles regional Startup World Cup event,” said Deryck J. van Rensburg, Dean, Pepperdine Graziadio Business School. “Increasing opportunities to support local entrepreneurs helps fuel innovation and economic well-being at both the community and national level.”
The Startup World Cup Los Angeles regional event will be held on Wednesday, April 24 from 5:30-8:30pm at the Smothers Theatre on the Pepperdine University campus located at 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu. Entrepreneurs interested in participating in the event can apply here before April 6. The 10 startups selected to participate in the pitch competition will be announced on April 11. Tickets for the event can be purchased here.
“The Startup World Cup attracts the world’s brightest minds across the globe and provides an opportunity to accelerate entrepreneurs’ ideas into reality,” said Leonard Lanzi, Executive Director of LAVA. “As part of LAVA’s mission, we are thrilled to showcase entrepreneurs from the greater Los Angeles area and help pave the way for their success.”
Previous startups that have been developed through the help of Fenox Venture Capital have found innovative ways to enhance healthcare, artificial intelligence, robotics, transportation, financial technologies, IoT, augmented reality, and agriculture, with a goal for improving lives and transforming industries.
Judges for the Startup World Cup Los Angeles regional event include:
Ana L. Quintana, Managing Partner at Black Diamond Ventures
Ana brings over twenty years of experience in venture capital, startup, and investment operations, with a particular focus on Medical Devices, Mobile Applications, and Enterprise Software. She is a founding member of SHE Ventures in Tech, which offers entrepreneurial support to founders.
Deryck J. van Rensburg, Dean of Pepperdine Graziadio Business School
Deryck joined Pepperdine University in 2016 bringing 32 years of global business experience with The Coca-Cola Company and Unilever PLC. He recently received the honor of being named one of the Los Angeles Business Journal's LA 500, LA's Most Influential People.
Delilah Panio, Vice President of Capital Formation (Southern California) at Toronto Stock Exchange/TSX Venture Exchange
A capital markets expert, Delilah advises U.S. companies on the opportunity to list and finance on Toronto Stock Exchange or TSX Venture Exchange.She is also the Executive Director and Co-Founder of We Are Enough, a non-profit that educates women on why and how to invest in women-owned businesses and/or with a gender lens.
Kimberly Kovacs, President of LAVA; Founder & President of MyJane Inc.; Managing Director at Arroyo Ventures, LLC
A serial entrepreneur and investor in software-as-a-service, technology, agriculture and health companies, Kim has personally raised more than $100 million dollars for ventures she’s lead — all resulting in successful exits. She is passionate about the entrepreneurial ecosystem and provides mentorship to students and startups in Los Angeles and Orange County.
Bill Woodward, Partner at Anthem Venture Partners
Bill founded multiple businesses in the technology space with over $3BN of exits including Macromedia, Launch Media, MySpace, Nevenvision, Pulse and Cognet. He has also been an early/lead investor in a number of successful companies including Demand Media, Android, Spin Media, Beachmint, Blurb and various others.
About LAVA
Since 1985 the Los Angeles Venture Association has been providing forums where entrepreneurs and executives of start-up, emerging growth and late stage venture funded companies actively meet and learn from fellow executives, investors, bankers, financial advisors and other providers of professional services. Our extensive slate of monthly Strategic Interest Group meetings and panel discussions feature exceptional presentations by prominent members of our investment, entrepreneurial, business and academic communities. Our annual Meet the VC conference, SoCal First Look Innovation Showcase and the LAVA Venture Awards Dinner are our region's premiere forums on investment capital. We also co-produce events with many of our affiliated organizations.
About Pepperdine University Graziadio Business School
For the last 50 years, the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School has challenged individuals to think boldly and drive meaningful change within their industries and communities. Dedicated to developing Best for the World Leaders, the Graziadio School offers a comprehensive range of MBA, MS, executive, and doctoral degree programs grounded in integrity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The Graziadio School advances experiential learning through small classes with distinguished faculty that stimulate critical thinking and meaningful connection, inspiring students and working professionals to realize their greatest potential as values-centered leaders. Follow Pepperdine Graziadio on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Contacts:
Pepperdine Graziadio Business School
Amy Wood
Peate Institute for Entrepreneurship
818-702-1317
Los Angeles Venture Association
Len Lanzi
Executive Director
866-466-5282
Startup World Cup
Coco He, Global Coordinator
408-645-5532
Coco@startupworldcup.io
