Eight promising startups took center stage at the Southwest Region Fast Pitch Competition on April 14.
Hosted by the City of Murrieta, the Southwest Region Fast Pitch Competition brings together emerging startups, regional leaders, and innovation partners for an afternoon of ideas, entrepreneurship, and collaboration as part of Riverside County Innovation Month.
The competition featured a series of rapid-fire pitches from the eight startups, each delivering a four-minute presentation followed by a three-minute question-and-answer session with a panel of regional judges.
Following a round of pitches and deliberation by a panel of judges, Digital Therapeutix was awarded first place, earning a $1,000 cash prize and a coveted spot in the Riverside County Innovation Month Pitch Finale on April 29 at the Riverside Convention Center. There, the company will compete for up to $20,000 in cash prizes and an opportunity to advance to the global Startup World Cup competition for a chance at $1 million in equity investment.
GattaCo, Inc. earned second place and will also advance to the Pitch Finale.
Participating companies included NeyroblastGX, LLC; Tx Genetic Research; Recalivape, Inc.; Bulbul Inc.; Sequential Bio; GattaCo, Inc.; Digital Therapeutix; and ALÜN Outdoors.
The program began with a welcome luncheon and remarks recognizing sponsors US Bank and DIY Divorce, along with key partners including the County of Riverside, the Cities of Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee, Lake Elsinore, and Wildomar, Impact Riverside County, and Startup World Cup.
The panel of judges included Murrieta Mayor Pro Tem Ron Holliday, Temecula Council Member James “Stew” Stewart, Menifee Council Member Ben Diederich, Lake Elsinore Council Member Steve Manos, Wildomar Mayor Carlos Marquez, and former pitch participant Jocelyn Tan.
“The Fast Pitch Competition highlights the depth of talent and innovation emerging from Southwest Riverside County,” said event organizers. “These entrepreneurs are tackling real-world challenges with creativity and determination, and today’s event is just the beginning of their journey.”
The Southwest Region Fast Pitch Competition is one of several events held throughout April in celebration of Riverside County Innovation Month, an initiative designed to elevate local startups, connect innovators with resources, and strengthen the region’s innovation economy.
